CVE-2016-4599 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 Photoshop document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4599 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting macOS versions prior to 10.11.6. This vulnerability resides in the handling of Photoshop document formats within the QuickTime player component, creating a remote code execution vector that adversaries can leverage to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability. The flaw demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia processing libraries that handle diverse file formats from untrusted sources without adequate input validation mechanisms.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when QuickTime processes a maliciously crafted Photoshop document that contains malformed data structures or unexpected memory layouts. The memory corruption manifests through improper bounds checking and insufficient validation of image data parameters during the parsing of photoshop files, leading to unpredictable memory state changes that can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, both of which are common entry points for remote code execution attacks. The attack surface expands significantly because QuickTime is deeply integrated into macOS and automatically processes various media formats when users open files or click on links in web browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4599 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities for remote attackers. When successfully exploited, adversaries can execute malicious code on target systems with the privileges of the QuickTime process, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious Photoshop files through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making it a significant concern for organizations with limited security awareness training. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, enabling large-scale exploitation campaigns that can affect numerous users simultaneously across different geographical locations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management protocols. Apple addressed this issue through the release of macOS 10.11.6 security updates that included enhanced input validation and memory safety improvements within the QuickTime framework. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems receive updates promptly, particularly given the remote exploitation capabilities. Additional protective measures include deploying sandboxing technologies that limit QuickTime's system access, implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious file types, and establishing user education programs to reduce the likelihood of encountering malicious documents. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation, while the initial access vector typically involves social engineering or malicious web content delivery methods. Network segmentation and monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual QuickTime process behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.