CVE-2012-0667 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.2 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted QTVR movie file.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0667 represents a critical integer signedness error within Apple QuickTime software versions prior to 7.7.2 on Windows operating systems. This flaw resides in the processing logic of QuickTime's handling of QTVR movie files, which are stereoscopic video files designed to create immersive 3D viewing experiences. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of integer values during file parsing operations, specifically when processing the dimensions and coordinate values within QTVR movie structures. When a maliciously crafted QTVR file is opened, the software's failure to properly handle signed integer overflow conditions creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate memory allocation and buffer boundaries. This issue falls under the CWE-191 category of Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) and is closely related to CWE-190 which covers Integer Overflow and Wraparound, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in data processing that can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially designed QTVR movie files that, when opened by an affected QuickTime version, trigger the integer signedness error. The resulting memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the QuickTime application, potentially allowing full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions through application crashes, effectively disrupting legitimate user activities. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where QuickTime is commonly used for multimedia presentations and training materials. The attack vector is particularly insidious as it requires no special privileges to initiate and can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making it a prime target for social engineering campaigns.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2012-0667 demonstrates how seemingly benign file format parsing can become a gateway for sophisticated attacks. When QuickTime processes the malicious QTVR file, the integer signedness error occurs during the calculation of buffer sizes or coordinate boundaries, leading to incorrect memory allocation decisions. This misalignment allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical program structures or injecting malicious code into the execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly relevant to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code on target systems through compromised multimedia applications. The Windows-specific nature of this vulnerability means that mitigation efforts must focus on patch management and software updates, as well as network-based controls to prevent the delivery of malicious QTVR files. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and robust error handling in multimedia processing libraries, as similar issues could potentially exist in other components of the QuickTime framework or related multimedia applications.
This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the security implications inherent in multimedia processing software and the importance of thorough code review processes. The integer signedness error demonstrates how mathematical operations involving signed integers can create exploitable conditions when proper bounds checking is absent. The remediation approach for CVE-2012-0667 requires immediate deployment of Apple's security update 7.7.2, which addresses the specific integer handling issues in QuickTime's QTVR file parser. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, email filtering for multimedia attachments, and regular security assessments of multimedia processing components within their environments. The vulnerability's classification under multiple CWE categories underscores the need for security professionals to understand the fundamental mathematical and logical errors that can lead to serious security consequences. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to include enterprise networks where QuickTime is widely deployed, making it essential for security teams to prioritize its remediation and implement comprehensive monitoring for exploitation attempts.