CVE-2012-3751 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the plugin in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via an HTML document with a crafted _qtactivex_ parameter in an OBJECT element.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The CVE-2012-3751 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Apple QuickTime's plugin component that existed in versions prior to 7.7.3. This vulnerability resides within the browser plugin interface that enables QuickTime content to be embedded within web pages, specifically when processing HTML documents containing crafted OBJECT elements with malicious qtactivex parameters. The flaw stems from improper memory management within the plugin's handling of ActiveX controls, creating a scenario where freed memory locations could be accessed and manipulated by malicious actors.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a web browser loads an HTML page containing an OBJECT element with a specially crafted qtactivex parameter. When the QuickTime plugin processes this parameter, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before attempting to access memory that has already been freed during previous operations. This use-after-free condition creates a memory corruption state that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations, ultimately allowing remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable browser. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can deliver malicious content through web pages without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the compromised site.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3751 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can achieve arbitrary code execution, which aligns with CWE-416, Use After Free, a well-documented weakness in the CWE database that specifically addresses memory safety issues. The vulnerability can result in complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques, as demonstrated by various attack frameworks that have utilized similar use-after-free conditions to escalate privileges and establish persistent access. Additionally, the vulnerability can be weaponized for denial of service attacks, causing application crashes that disrupt legitimate user operations and potentially creating conditions for further exploitation.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to Apple QuickTime version 7.7.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory management issues within the plugin component. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing web content filtering and sandboxing measures to limit the exposure of users to potentially malicious content. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling activities, particularly in environments where users regularly access untrusted web content or where legacy systems may be running outdated QuickTime versions. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving exploitation of vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, as the use-after-free condition provides a pathway for attackers to gain elevated system privileges and maintain persistent access to compromised systems.