CVE-2016-4602 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-2016-4597, and CVE-2016-4600.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4602 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting macOS versions prior to 10.11.6. This vulnerability specifically manifests when QuickTime processes specially crafted FlashPix bitmap images, which are a proprietary image format that extends the standard TIFF format with additional metadata and compression capabilities. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the QuickTime component responsible for parsing FlashPix files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of FlashPix image headers and metadata fields that QuickTime does not properly validate before processing. When a maliciously crafted FlashPix file is opened or previewed by QuickTime, the parser fails to properly bounds-check array accesses and validate field sizes, leading to heap-based buffer overflows or stack corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal user interactions such as opening a malicious email attachment or visiting a compromised website that serves the malicious FlashPix file through QuickTime's integrated preview functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to enterprise and individual users alike, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond the initial triggering of the vulnerable component. The attack surface is broad since QuickTime is integrated into various macOS applications and services, making it possible for attackers to exploit this vulnerability through multiple vectors including web browsers, email clients, and file sharing applications. The memory corruption aspect also means that successful exploitation could lead to system instability, application crashes, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and privilege levels available to the QuickTime process. Organizations running affected macOS versions face potential data breaches, system takeovers, and persistent backdoor installations if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues. The attack pattern follows typical exploit chains described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1059 for command and control execution and T1106 for execution through system binaries. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for macOS 10.11.6 and later versions, implementation of network-based restrictions on FlashPix file types where possible, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted media files. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling QuickTime in environments where it is not essential, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or process behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing multimedia frameworks where complex file format parsers must handle extensive metadata structures while maintaining memory safety and input validation.