CVE-2016-1767 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple OS X before 10.11.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted FlashPix image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-1768.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1767 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting operating systems prior to version 10.11.4. This vulnerability specifically manifests when QuickTime processes specially crafted FlashPix image files, which are a proprietary image format developed by Adobe and Microsoft for high-resolution digital photography applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause denial of service conditions through memory corruption techniques that can be exploited over network connections without requiring user interaction.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within QuickTime's image parsing routines. When the media framework attempts to decode and render malicious FlashPix images, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of these files, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can result in memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw operates at the application layer where QuickTime serves as a media processing component, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that deliver the crafted FlashPix files.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1767 extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The memory corruption aspects of this flaw also make it susceptible to exploitation through techniques that can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Organizations running affected versions of macOS are vulnerable to attacks that could result in persistent backdoors, data theft, or complete system control. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services and applications, and demonstrates how media processing frameworks can serve as attack surfaces for sophisticated cyber operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to upgrade to macOS version 10.11.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for QuickTime's image handling routines. System administrators should also implement network-based protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious FlashPix file transfers and block known malicious file types. Additional protective measures include disabling QuickTime plugin support in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting regular security assessments of media processing applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia frameworks, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines and emphasizing the need for robust defensive programming techniques in media processing libraries that handle untrusted input data. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for handling potential compromises.