CVE-2011-3249 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted movie file with FLC encoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3249 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.7.1. This security weakness specifically affects the handling of FLC encoded movie files, which are commonly used for storing animation sequences in the QuickTime format. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the QuickTime player's decoding routines for FLC files, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted media content.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer boundaries. When a vulnerable QuickTime player processes a specially crafted FLC movie file, the decoder fails to properly validate the size and structure of the incoming data, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the multimedia processing subsystem of QuickTime, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by opening a malicious file.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3249 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering a malicious FLC movie file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected QuickTime installations to version 7.7.1 or later, as provided by Apple through their security updates. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and content filtering to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious media files. Network segmentation and endpoint protection measures should be enhanced to detect and block suspicious file transfers. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted media files remains critical, as social engineering remains a common delivery method for such exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security maintenance and the risks associated with outdated software components in enterprise environments, particularly those handling multimedia content processing.