CVE-2012-0663 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.2 on Windows allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted TeXML file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0663 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Apple QuickTime versions prior to 7.7.2 on Windows operating systems. This flaw resides within the TeXML file parsing functionality of the QuickTime media framework, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized system control. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of stack-based buffer overflows as defined by CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when QuickTime processes specially crafted TeXML files that contain malformed data structures designed to exceed the allocated buffer space. Attackers can construct malicious TeXML files with oversized data fields or improper termination sequences that cause the application to write beyond the intended memory boundaries. This behavior directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through crafted input data. The stack overflow occurs during the parsing of temporal XML elements that QuickTime uses to handle time-based metadata in multimedia files, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by opening or previewing a malicious file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This remote code execution vulnerability allows adversaries to install malware, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects Windows platforms specifically, indicating that Apple's QuickTime implementation on Windows contains implementation flaws that differ from its macOS counterparts, potentially due to different code paths or platform-specific handling of XML parsing. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks, as system crashes can be used to disrupt services or create conditions favorable to further exploitation.
Organizations and users must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including updating to Apple QuickTime version 7.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based restrictions that prevent the automatic execution of QuickTime content from untrusted sources, utilizing techniques such as application whitelisting or content filtering solutions. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, particularly for multimedia frameworks that process untrusted data from external sources. Additionally, security professionals should monitor for related vulnerabilities in QuickTime's XML processing capabilities, as similar issues may exist in other components of the media framework. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing defensive measures such as process monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all system components are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities in multimedia processing libraries.