CVE-2012-0658 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via crafted audio sample tables in a movie file that is progressively downloaded.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0658 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple's QuickTime multimedia framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.4. This issue specifically targets the handling of audio sample tables within movie files during progressive download operations, creating a significant security risk that could be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system control or disrupt service availability. The vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow mechanism where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within QuickTime's media processing routines when parsing audio sample tables in progressive download scenarios. When a maliciously crafted movie file containing oversized or malformed audio sample table data is processed, the application fails to properly validate the buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory structures. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically manifesting as a stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited through carefully constructed input data. The progressive download aspect of the vulnerability increases the attack surface as the malicious data is processed incrementally during media playback, making detection and prevention more challenging for security systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0658 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening a maliciously crafted movie file within QuickTime can trigger the buffer overflow condition. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted media content through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through legitimate application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0658 primarily focus on immediate system updates and application patching to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Apple released security updates for Mac OS X 10.7.4 that corrected the validation routines in QuickTime's audio sample table processing. Organizations should prioritize deployment of these patches across all affected systems to eliminate the exploitation risk. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based security controls such as intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block malicious media file content, configuring application whitelisting policies to restrict QuickTime execution, and establishing user education programs to reduce exposure to malicious content. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual QuickTime process behavior and memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software systems and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that can quickly respond to emerging threats in multimedia processing frameworks.