CVE-2009-0004

Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) and possibly execute arbitrary…

published January 21, 2009

CVSS
—
EPSS
6%
Percentile
92.9
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A single crafted MP3 can bring Apple QuickTime to its knees! Before version 7.6, this buffer overflow vulnerability could let crafty attackers terminate the application or even run their own code! Think of it like a restaurant serving up a dish that looks delicious but is actually overloaded with secret ingredients that nobody checked — when the wrong flavor hits the palate, the whole meal can fall apart before you know it! If an attacker sends a specially crafted audio file, they could cause QuickTime to crash unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service. In the worst-case scenario, they might even execute arbitrary code, which could allow them to take control of the system or compromise sensitive data.

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant serving up a dish that looks delicious but is actually overloaded with secret ingredients that nobody checked — when the wrong flavor hits the palate, the whole meal can fall apart before you know it! This vulnerability arises from a buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime that fails to properly handle certain MP3 audio file inputs, allowing attackers to overwrite memory and execute malicious code.

What to do

If an attacker sends a specially crafted audio file, they could cause QuickTime to crash unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service. In the worst-case scenario, they might even execute arbitrary code, which could allow them to take control of the system or compromise sensitive data. Update Apple QuickTime to version 7.6 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. As a precaution, be cautious when playing audio files from untrusted sources, and consider implementing additional security measures like software firewalls and intrusion detection systems. You've got this! Follow these steps to secure your QuickTime, and you'll be a security hero in no time! 🦸‍♂️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.05663 · 92.9th percentile
Published
2009-01-21T20:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 21 JAN 20:00Z
    Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application termination) and possibly execute arbitrary…
    cvelistv5