CVE-2012-0661 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X 10.7.x before 10.7.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted movie file with JPEG2000 encoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The CVE-2012-0661 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X 10.7.x systems prior to version 10.7.4. This vulnerability arises from improper memory management within the JPEG2000 decoding component of QuickTime, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being deallocated. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted movie file containing specially constructed JPEG2000 encoded content is processed by the QuickTime player, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free condition, which is a well-known class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that frequently serves as a vector for remote code execution attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation within QuickTime's JPEG2000 decoder. When processing a crafted movie file, the decoder fails to properly validate the structure of the JPEG2000 data, resulting in a situation where memory blocks are freed but subsequently accessed during the decoding process. This memory corruption occurs at the application level within the QuickTime framework, specifically within the image processing subsystem responsible for handling JPEG2000 encoded media content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because JPEG2000 is a widely supported format that can be embedded within various movie container formats, making it an effective attack vector for remote exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0661 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it a significant threat to Mac OS X users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious movie files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where QuickTime is widely deployed for media playback. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature and the widespread use of QuickTime make it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0661 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Apple as part of the Mac OS X 10.7.4 update. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the patched operating system versions to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators can implement content filtering measures to block suspicious movie files, particularly those containing JPEG2000 encoding, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate programs that are used for privilege escalation, as the exploitation can occur through seemingly benign media playback applications. System hardening measures such as restricting user privileges and implementing sandboxing for media applications can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though the most effective mitigation remains the timely application of vendor-provided security updates.