Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Apple
    • Apple
    • Applications
    • Cybersecurity

    Exploit Code Out for Windows, Mac QuickTime Flaw

    By
    Lisa Vaas
    -
    November 26, 2007
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.

      Exploit code is out for an extremely critical Apple QuickTime flaw that affects Windows and Mac OS X systems, and researchers say attacks are likely soon to follow.

      The vulnerability, found in the way QuickTime processes RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) replies, can lead to remote attackers hijacking vulnerable systems. This proof of concept code was posted on Nov. 23 by security researcher Krystian Kloskowski.

      The flaw, caused by a boundary error when processing RTSP replies, can be exploited to cause a stack-based buffer overflow if an attacker sends a rigged audio-streaming file that contains an overly long Content Type header. Otherwise, an attacker can successfully exploit the vulnerability by modifying an existing program to listen for RTSP requests and to respond with malicious code.

      That malicious file would contain arbitrary data, memory addresses, and executable machine code designed to perform some action on the attackers behalf, according to a Nov. 24 security advisory Symantec sent to clients who subscribe to its DeepSight Alert Services.

      RTSP, a protocol used in streaming media systems, allows a client to remotely control a streaming media server with commands such as “play” and “pause” and also allows time-based access to files on a server.

      Click here to read about an Apple Mail flaw affecting Mac OS X Leopard.

      According to Symantec, QuickTime Player 7.3 is affected by this vulnerability. As of Nov. 26, it hadnt yet been determined whether other versions are affected as well.

      To exploit the issue, an attacker has to lure an unsuspecting user to connect to a malicious RTSP server.

      Apple had not responded to requests for input by the time this article posted. In lieu of a patch, Symantec is advising users to mitigate the potential danger by deploying network intrusion detection systems to monitor network traffic for malicious activity. Symantec is also advising users to use NIDS (network intrusion detection system) to monitor network traffic for signs of anomalous or suspicious activity, including but not limited to requests that include NOP (no operation) sleds and unexplained incoming and outgoing traffic.

      A NOP sled, aka NOP slide, is a sequence of NOP instructions meant to “slide” the CPUs instruction execution flow to a final, desired destination.

      Symantec is also advising that all software be set to run as a nonprivileged user with minimal access rights. Also, to limit the effects of a successful compromise, run all client software with the least privileges required to function.

      And as always, dont follow links from strangers or untrusted sources, stay out of questionable sites, and dont touch files from unknown sources.

      Symantec is also advising users to use memory-protection schemes to trip up an attackers ability to exploit the vulnerability by executing arbitrary code. That includes nonexecutable and randomly mapped memory segments.

      Check out eWEEK.coms Security Center for the latest security news, reviews and analysis. And for insights on security coverage around the Web, take a look at eWEEKs Security Watch blog.

      Lisa Vaas
      Lisa Vaas is News Editor/Operations for eWEEK.com and also serves as editor of the Database topic center. Since 1995, she has also been a Webcast news show anchorperson and a reporter covering the IT industry. She has focused on customer relationship management technology, IT salaries and careers, effects of the H1-B visa on the technology workforce, wireless technology, security, and, most recently, databases and the technologies that touch upon them. Her articles have appeared in eWEEK's print edition, on eWEEK.com, and in the startup IT magazine PC Connection. Prior to becoming a journalist, Vaas experienced an array of eye-opening careers, including driving a cab in Boston, photographing cranky babies in shopping malls, selling cameras, typography and computer training. She stopped a hair short of finishing an M.A. in English at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She earned a B.S. in Communications from Emerson College. She runs two open-mic reading series in Boston and currently keeps bees in her home in Mashpee, Mass.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×