CVE-2015-3664 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
QT Media Foundation in Apple QuickTime before 7.7.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-3665 and CVE-2015-3669.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3664 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple QuickTime's QT Media Foundation component. This vulnerability affects QuickTime versions prior to 7.7.7 and enables remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution or induce denial of service conditions through the manipulation of specially crafted media files. The flaw resides in how the media foundation processes certain file formats, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory handling mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized system access. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2015-3665 and CVE-2015-3669, this specific issue demonstrates distinct characteristics in its exploitation vectors and attack surface, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on QuickTime for media playback operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the QT Media Foundation module when processing malformed media files. Attackers can craft specific file structures that trigger buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions during the parsing process, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns. These memory corruption issues can be leveraged to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers need only entice users to open maliciously crafted files through QuickTime, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious download scenarios. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability align with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common entry points for privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-3664 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader enterprise security implications. Organizations utilizing QuickTime for media playback across multiple platforms face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users regularly handle untrusted media content. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access, deploy additional malware, or conduct reconnaissance activities within network environments. This threat is exacerbated by the widespread deployment of QuickTime across various operating systems, including macOS and Windows platforms, which increases the attack surface and complicates remediation efforts. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for compliance and regulatory frameworks that require organizations to maintain secure software configurations and respond promptly to known security flaws.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3664 should prioritize immediate software updates to QuickTime version 7.7.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory corruption issues. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple QuickTime installations exist. Network-level defenses should include content filtering mechanisms that can identify and block suspicious media files, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for anomalous QuickTime behavior patterns. Additional protective measures include restricting user privileges when handling media files, implementing application whitelisting policies to control QuickTime execution, and maintaining regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the media processing pipeline. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through compromised applications and privilege escalation, making it essential for organizations to maintain robust incident response capabilities and threat hunting procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.