CVE-2012-3649 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iTunes before 10.7, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted web site, a different vulnerability than other WebKit CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2012-09-12-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
CVE-2012-3649 represents a critical memory corruption vulnerability within WebKit engine that was integrated into Apple iTunes version 10.6 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the web rendering component that processes web content within the iTunes application, creating a remote code execution vector that could be exploited through maliciously crafted websites. The flaw manifests as an improper memory handling issue that occurs when WebKit processes certain web page elements, leading to unpredictable memory state corruption that attackers can leverage to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption that occurs during the parsing and rendering of web content within the iTunes application's embedded WebKit engine. Attackers can craft specific web pages containing malformed data structures or exploit buffer overflow conditions that cause memory corruption in the WebKit rendering process. When iTunes loads these malicious web pages, the corrupted memory state leads to application crashes or potentially allows attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the iTunes process. This vulnerability specifically affects the memory management routines within WebKit's HTML and JavaScript processing capabilities, making it distinct from other WebKit vulnerabilities referenced in APPLE-SA-2012-09-12-1.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to represent a significant security risk for users of affected iTunes versions. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without user interaction, simply by visiting a malicious website that has been designed to trigger the memory corruption in iTunes' WebKit engine. The potential consequences include full system compromise, data theft, or installation of additional malicious software. Users who regularly access the internet through iTunes or who visit untrusted websites may unknowingly expose themselves to this attack vector, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where iTunes might be used for software distribution or media management.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to iTunes 10.7 or later versions that contain the patched WebKit engine, disabling web content loading within iTunes, and implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual network traffic patterns or application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all iTunes installations have been properly updated to prevent exploitation of this memory corruption vulnerability.