CVE-2011-3252 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in CoreAudio, as used in Apple iTunes before 10.5, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3252 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple's CoreAudio framework that was prevalent in iTunes versions prior to 10.5. This vulnerability resides in the audio processing subsystem responsible for handling Advanced Audio Coding format streams, which are widely used for digital audio transmission and storage. The flaw manifests when the CoreAudio component processes maliciously crafted AAC streams that exceed allocated buffer boundaries during audio decoding operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data. This type of vulnerability falls within the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting application layer exploits that leverage multimedia processing components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts an AAC stream with malformed data structures that trigger the buffer overflow during audio parsing. The overflow typically occurs in the memory allocation routines responsible for handling audio frame data, where the application fails to validate the size of incoming data against available buffer space. When iTunes processes such malicious streams, the overflow can overwrite critical program memory including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iTunes process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but could be escalated through additional attack vectors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond initiating the audio stream processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3252 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads on vulnerable systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise through privilege escalation or by establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also creates risks for enterprise environments where iTunes is commonly used for media management and distribution. The remote nature of the attack means that victims do not need to actively interact with malicious content, as the overflow can be triggered simply by playing or previewing a crafted AAC stream. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing or streaming services are prevalent, as the attack can be delivered through legitimate media distribution channels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch management and system hardening measures. Apple addressed this issue through iTunes version 10.5 release which included enhanced bounds checking and memory validation routines for AAC stream processing. Organizations should implement mandatory patch deployment policies to ensure all iTunes installations are updated to version 10.5 or later. Additional defensive measures include network-level filtering of suspicious media content, implementation of application whitelisting policies that restrict iTunes usage to trusted environments, and deployment of intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous audio stream processing patterns. Security professionals should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques that isolate iTunes processes from critical system resources, and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts through abnormal memory allocation patterns or unexpected process behavior. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in multimedia processing components and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of audio and video decoding libraries.