CVE-2012-3753 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow 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 a crafted MIME type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3753 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime's plugin component affecting versions prior to 7.7.3. This security weakness resides in the handling of MIME type data structures, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software through remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin architecture that enables QuickTime to process multimedia content within web browsers and other applications, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where users frequently encounter multimedia content from untrusted sources.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the QuickTime plugin processes malformed or crafted MIME type information during multimedia content parsing. When the plugin encounters a specially constructed MIME type header, the buffer management logic fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer. This condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution data, including return addresses and function pointers, ultimately enabling remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, specifically targeting the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities in software applications.
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 potential allows adversaries to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where QuickTime plugins are commonly used for multimedia content delivery, as it can be triggered through simple web page visits or email attachments containing malicious multimedia content. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be weaponized to disrupt legitimate services, creating availability issues that may persist until the affected systems are patched or rebooted.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3753 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates, with Apple releasing QuickTime 7.7.3 to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running QuickTime plugins receive the security updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing web content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious MIME type headers, disabling QuickTime plugin execution in web browsers where multimedia content is not essential, and employing network segmentation to limit exposure of systems to potentially malicious content. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous network traffic patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and process execution anomalies that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.