CVE-2016-1768 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-2016-1767.
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-2016-1768 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting macOS versions prior to 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. The flaw allows remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems or cause denial of service conditions through memory corruption techniques. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated code execution pathway that leverages improper input validation and memory handling within the QuickTime component, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through network-based attacks without user interaction.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within QuickTime's FlashPix image parser. When processing malformed FlashPix files, the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation parameters, leading to potential heap corruption or stack overflow conditions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of image metadata and pixel data structures, where attackers can manipulate the file format to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the QuickTime framework, providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to system resources that could be exploited for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1768 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the QuickTime process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but can potentially be escalated through additional attack vectors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious FlashPix files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. This attack surface is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently download content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also intersects with several ATT&CK tactics including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant threat to organizational security postures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1768 primarily focus on immediate system updates and configuration hardening. Apple released macOS 10.11.4 patches that address this vulnerability through improved input validation and memory management within the QuickTime framework. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of these security updates across all affected systems, particularly those running macOS versions prior to 10.11.4. Additional protective measures include implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious FlashPix file types, disabling QuickTime support for untrusted content, and monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of QuickTime components in high-risk environments, while maintaining detailed logging of media file processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping media frameworks and plugins up to date, as these components often process untrusted data from network sources and can become attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries.