CVE-2012-3758 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow 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 transform attribute in a text3GTrack element in a QuickTime TeXML file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3758 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime media processing software affecting versions prior to 7.7.3. This security weakness specifically manifests in the handling of TeXML files, which are used for storing timed text data within QuickTime media containers. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing the transform attribute within text3GTrack elements, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the parsing of TeXML file structures. When QuickTime processes a maliciously crafted TeXML file containing a specially constructed transform attribute within a text3GTrack element, the software fails to properly validate the size and content of the attribute data. This lack of validation allows an attacker to overflow a fixed-size buffer allocated for storing the transform attribute information, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions with malicious data. The buffer overflow occurs within the multimedia processing pipeline where QuickTime attempts to interpret and render timed text elements, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by opening or previewing a maliciously crafted file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it a severe security risk for affected systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running QuickTime, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that deliver the specially crafted TeXML files. The application crash scenario represents the more conservative exploitation method, but the potential for remote code execution means that systems running vulnerable versions of QuickTime are at significant risk of being compromised. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3758 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected QuickTime installations to version 7.7.3 or later, which includes patched buffer validation routines and improved input sanitization. Additionally, system administrators should implement restrictive file handling policies that prevent automatic execution of media files from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where email attachments or web downloads are common. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to execute malicious code and establish persistent access. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation practices in multimedia processing frameworks, emphasizing the need for robust memory safety mechanisms in media handling libraries and applications.