CVE-2014-1245 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted stsz atom in a movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1245 represents a critical integer signedness error within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.7.5. This flaw resides in the handling of stsz atoms within movie files, which are essential components of the QuickTime file format used for storing audio and video data. The stsz atom specifically contains size information for samples within a media file, making it a crucial element in the parsing and rendering process of multimedia content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of integer values during the parsing of media file metadata. When QuickTime encounters a crafted stsz atom with maliciously manipulated signed integer values, the application fails to properly handle the conversion between signed and unsigned integer representations. This mismatch creates a condition where the application interprets the integer values incorrectly, leading to unpredictable behavior in memory management and control flow. The flaw operates at the level of data type conversion and arithmetic operations within the media parsing engine, where signed integer overflow or underflow conditions can trigger memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable remote code execution. Attackers can craft malicious movie files containing specially formatted stsz atoms that, when processed by vulnerable QuickTime versions, cause the application to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the software. This represents a significant escalation from a denial of service condition to a full remote exploitation vector. The vulnerability affects users who are unaware of the malicious content they are attempting to play, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted media files through email attachments, web downloads, or social engineering campaigns.
The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including execution through compromised applications and privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. The attack surface is broad as QuickTime was widely distributed across multiple platforms including windows, macos, and mobile operating systems, creating numerous potential entry points for adversaries. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can result from improper integer handling. Organizations using legacy QuickTime installations face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where media file handling is common across various business applications and user endpoints.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1245 require immediate patching of affected QuickTime installations to version 7.7.5 or later, which includes proper integer validation and handling of signedness errors in atom parsing. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of QuickTime in environments where it is not strictly required, and network administrators should deploy content filtering solutions to block suspicious media file attachments. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted media file downloads and attachments, while security monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous QuickTime behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that all endpoints have been properly updated and that no legacy QuickTime installations remain operational in the environment.