iDefense Security Advisory 11.05.07: Apple QuickTime Panorama Sample Atom Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
iDefense Security Advisory 11.05.07
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Nov 05, 2007
I. BACKGROUND
QuickTime is Apple's media player product used to render video and other
media. For more information visit http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
QuickTime VR (virtual reality) is a type of image file format supported
by Apple's QuickTime. It allows the creation and viewing of
photographically captured panoramas and the exploration of objects
through images taken at multiple viewing angles.
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/technologies/qtvr/
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of a heap overflow vulnerability in Apple Inc.'s
QuickTime media player could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code
in the context of the targeted user.
The vulnerability specifically exists in QuickTime Player's handling of
Panorama Sample atoms in QuickTime Virtual Reality movie. When
processing panorama sample atoms, the size field in the atom header is
not validated. QuickTime will copy the specified amount of memory to a
fixed-size heap buffer, causing heap corruption.
III. ANALYSIS
Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in the
context of the current user. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker
must persuade a user into using QuickTime to open a specially crafted
QuickTime movie file. This could be accomplished by persuading the user
to click a direct link to a malicious VR movie file. Additionally, this
vulnerability could be exploited within a malicious web page.
IV. DETECTION
iDefense Labs confirmed this vulnerability exists in QuickTime VR
extension 7.2.0.240 as included in QuickTime Player 7.2. Previous
versions are suspected to be vulnerable.
V. WORKAROUND
Disabling the QuickTime plug-in for browsers can mitigate Web page
attack vectors. To do this, uncheck the "Play movies automatically"
setting within the QuickTime preferences Browser->Playback tab.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
Apple has released QuickTime 7.3 which resolves this issue. More
information is available via Apple's QuickTime Security Update page at
the URL shown below.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306896
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2007-4675 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
09/13/2007 Initial vendor notification
09/13/2007 Initial vendor response
11/05/2007 Coordinated public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to VeriSign iDefense by Mario Ballano
from 48bits.com.
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http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2007 iDefense, Inc.
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at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
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