CVE-2016-4597 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple OS X before 10.11.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted FlashPix bitmap image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4596, CVE-2016-4600, and CVE-2016-4602.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4597 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting macOS versions prior to 10.11.6. This security issue specifically manifests when QuickTime processes maliciously crafted FlashPix bitmap image files, creating a remote code execution vector that adversaries can leverage to compromise affected systems. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues, which are classified under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with image parsing libraries that fail to properly validate input data structures, particularly when dealing with complex file formats that contain nested metadata and binary data.
QuickTime's handling of FlashPix format images exposes a critical design flaw in the software's memory management and input validation mechanisms. When processing malformed FlashPix bitmap data, the application fails to properly bounds-check array accesses and memory allocation operations, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level within the media framework, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious payloads through the compromised QuickTime process.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4597 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve full system compromise. Remote attackers can craft malicious FlashPix images that, when opened by an affected QuickTime implementation, trigger the memory corruption vulnerability. This could occur through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that automatically attempt to render the compromised image format. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the widespread use of QuickTime across macOS environments and its integration with various applications that may automatically process image content. The memory corruption typically manifests as stack or heap corruption that can be leveraged to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code into the target process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4597 primarily focus on immediate system updates and proactive security measures to protect against exploitation attempts. Apple's recommended solution involves upgrading to macOS 10.11.6 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched through improved input validation and memory management routines. Security administrators should implement network-based protections such as content filtering and sandboxing measures to prevent automatic rendering of potentially malicious image files. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly susceptible to exploit prevention through proper input sanitization, which aligns with defensive techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1070 for indicator removal and T1055 for process injection. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict QuickTime's ability to process untrusted image content, while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.