CVE-2012-0659 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Integer 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 a crafted MPEG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0659 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Apple's QuickTime multimedia framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.4. This issue stems from improper input validation during the processing of MPEG media files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted media content can trigger unpredictable behavior in the affected system. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when an integer value exceeds its maximum representable range and wraps around to a smaller value, often leading to memory corruption or unexpected program execution paths. The flaw specifically manifests when QuickTime attempts to parse the dimensions or size parameters of an MPEG file, where an attacker can manipulate these values to cause arithmetic overflow conditions that compromise the application's memory management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to craft a specially formatted MPEG file that contains malicious integer values designed to trigger the overflow condition during media parsing. When the vulnerable QuickTime component processes such a file, the integer overflow can lead to memory corruption that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector since QuickTime typically runs with user-level permissions but can be leveraged to gain elevated system access. The vulnerability also enables denial of service attacks where the overflow condition causes the application to crash, resulting in application instability and potential system-wide disruption. The attack surface is particularly broad as QuickTime is integrated into many macOS applications and services, making it a prime target for exploitation in various attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0659 extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass broader security implications for macOS environments. Organizations running affected versions of Mac OS X face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, which could lead to data breaches, system compromise, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious content through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites without requiring local system access. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing components, as the flaw exists in the core parsing logic of media handling software that processes untrusted content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus primarily on immediate system updates and patch management, as Apple released security updates addressing the integer overflow condition in Mac OS X 10.7.4 and subsequent versions. System administrators should prioritize deployment of the official security patches provided by Apple, which typically include memory bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms within the QuickTime framework. Network-based mitigations can include filtering MPEG file types at network boundaries or implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict QuickTime execution to trusted environments. Additionally, users should avoid opening untrusted media files and maintain awareness of the potential for malicious content embedded in multimedia formats. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in multimedia frameworks, as similar integer overflow conditions continue to be discovered in various media processing libraries and applications across different platforms. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular assessment of third-party software components and monitoring for similar integer overflow conditions in their software ecosystems.