CVE-2017-2374 in GarageBand
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. GarageBand before 10.1.6 is affected. The issue involves the "Projects" component. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted GarageBand project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2374 represents a critical security flaw within Apple's GarageBand application affecting versions prior to 10.1.6. This issue resides within the "Projects" component of the software, specifically targeting how the application processes crafted project files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during project file parsing operations. Security researchers have classified this as a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through maliciously crafted GarageBand project files, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory allocations and buffer operations when processing malformed project files. Attackers can construct specially crafted GarageBand project files that contain malicious data structures or oversized buffers that exceed the application's expected memory boundaries. When GarageBand attempts to parse these malicious files, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or more severe exploitation outcomes. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2374 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited, the vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The memory corruption aspects of the vulnerability can cause unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, and in more severe cases, privilege escalation opportunities. Users who frequently exchange GarageBand project files with others face heightened risk, as the malicious files could be embedded within seemingly legitimate project content. The remote exploitation capability means attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious project files received through email attachments or file sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2374 should focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The primary recommendation involves updating GarageBand to version 10.1.6 or later, which contains patches specifically addressing the memory corruption issues in the Projects component. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies for project files received from external sources, including scanning for potential malicious content and verifying file integrity through digital signatures. Network security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file transfers and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software. Users should be educated about the risks of opening project files from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining current software versions. Security teams should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing applications and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications that process user-supplied content, aligning with defensive techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.