CVE-2011-3459 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted rdrf atom in a movie file that triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3459 represents a critical off-by-one error within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.3. This flaw resides in the handling of the rdrf atom within movie files, demonstrating a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted media content. The issue stems from improper boundary checking during the processing of atom data structures, where the application fails to properly validate the size of incoming data against allocated buffer space, creating a scenario where one additional byte of data can overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the QuickTime component's parser encountering a specially crafted rdrf atom that contains malformed size indicators or data lengths. When the parser attempts to process this atom, the off-by-one error causes the buffer allocation to be insufficient by exactly one byte, allowing subsequent data processing to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control structures. This memory corruption directly enables attackers to manipulate the program execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-129 principle of improper validation of array indices, specifically manifesting as a buffer overflow through inadequate bounds checking mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users of affected Mac OS X systems as it can be triggered through standard media playback operations. Attackers can deliver malicious payloads through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites that host specially crafted movie files. The remote exploitation capability means that users need not interact with the file directly, as simply opening or previewing the malicious media file within QuickTime or applications that utilize QuickTime components can trigger the vulnerability. The potential outcomes include complete system compromise, denial of service through application crashes, or data corruption depending on the specific memory locations overwritten during the buffer overflow event.
The exploitation of CVE-2011-3459 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on target systems. This vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK tactic of Execution, where adversaries gain system access through application-level exploits. The impact extends beyond individual user systems as the vulnerability affects the core media processing framework that many applications depend upon, potentially creating a widespread attack surface. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their broader security posture assessments, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted media content or where automated media processing systems are deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3459 primarily focus on applying the official security patches provided by Apple through their software update mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize deployment of Mac OS X 10.7.3 or later versions that contain the necessary fixes for the QuickTime buffer overflow vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious media files, configuring application sandboxing to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and maintaining regular security updates across all system components. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and media content inspection tools can provide additional layers of defense by analyzing file characteristics before they reach end-user systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices including proper input validation, bounds checking, and memory management techniques that can prevent similar issues in future implementations.