CVE-2013-1024 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreMedia Playback in Apple Mac OS X before 10.8.4 does not properly initialize memory during the processing of text tracks, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1024 represents a critical memory initialization flaw within CoreMedia Playback component of Apple Mac OS X operating systems prior to version 10.8.4. This issue resides in the multimedia processing subsystem responsible for handling text tracks within movie files, specifically affecting how the system allocates and manages memory during the parsing of these elements. The flaw manifests when the playback engine encounters specially crafted movie files containing maliciously constructed text track data, creating a scenario where insufficient memory initialization leads to unpredictable system behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program reads data at a memory location that is past the end of a buffer, and potentially with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes to a memory location beyond the boundaries of a buffer. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating or distributing movie files with malformed text track metadata that triggers improper memory handling during playback. When the vulnerable system attempts to process these crafted files, the uninitialized memory regions cause the application to either crash or potentially execute arbitrary code, depending on the specific memory corruption pattern that occurs during the parsing process.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1024 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides remote attackers with a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution on affected systems. This capability allows malicious actors to compromise user devices without requiring local access or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly open malicious media files. The vulnerability affects the CoreMedia framework which is fundamental to media playback across the operating system, meaning that any application relying on this component for video or audio processing could be exploited. This includes not only native Apple applications like QuickTime Player but also third-party software that utilizes the CoreMedia APIs for media handling.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage vulnerabilities in applications to execute code remotely. The attack surface is broad as any user could potentially encounter a maliciously crafted movie file through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The memory corruption aspect of the vulnerability also aligns with T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, though the initial exploit typically results in user-level code execution rather than system-level privileges. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture, particularly in environments where users frequently access external media content or where social engineering attacks are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1024 require immediate system updates to Apple Mac OS X 10.8.4 or later versions where the memory initialization issue has been resolved. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems receive the necessary security updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media files, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfers, and educating users about the risks of opening media files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify other potential memory-related issues within the operating system's multimedia frameworks, as similar flaws may exist in other components that handle multimedia data processing.