For Windows users who want to uninstall QuickTime, Apple has published a support document that outlines all of the necessary steps. QuickTime for Mac is not affected.

The retirement of QuickTime for Windows has been in the planning stages for at least a few months. Apple has not yet supported QuickTime for Windows 8 or 10, although some users found ways to work around the restriction. The January update removed the browser plugin for QuickTime, making it impossible for video on websites to seamlessly play in a user's browser. As a result, there's little chance QuickTime vulnerabilities could be harnessed into a drive-by download exploit. Instead, exploits would have to rely on social engineering that convinces a user to download a video and open it in QuickTime.

 For those wondering, iTunes and QuickTime were separated out a couple of years ago and iTunes no longer requires QuickTime to run properly.

Alert (TA16-105A)

Apple Ends Support for QuickTime for Windows; New Vulnerabilities Announced

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Systems Affected

Microsoft Windows with Apple QuickTime installed

Overview

According to Trend Micro, Apple will no longer be providing security updates for QuickTime for Windows, leaving this software vulnerable to exploitation. [1](link is external)

Description

All software products have a lifecycle. Apple will no longer be providing security updates for QuickTime for Windows. [1](link is external)

The Zero Day Initiative has issued advisories for two vulnerabilities found in QuickTime for Windows. [2](link is external) [3](link is external)

Impact

Computer systems running unsupported software are exposed to elevated cybersecurity dangers, such as increased risks of malicious attacks or electronic data loss. Exploitation of QuickTime for Windows vulnerabilities could allow remote attackers to take control of affected systems.

Solution

Computers running QuickTime for Windows will continue to work after support ends. However, using unsupported software may increase the risks from viruses and other security threats. Potential negative consequences include loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability of data, as well as damage to system resources or business assets. The only mitigation available is to uninstall QuickTime for Windows. Users can find instructions for uninstalling QuickTime for Windows on the Apple Uninstall QuickTime(link is external) page. [4]

References

• [1] Trend Micro - Urgent Call to Action: Uninstall QuickTime for Windows Today(link is external)
• [2] Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI 16-241: (0Day) Apple QuickTime moov Atom Heap Corruption Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilit(link is external)
• [3] Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI 16-242: (0Day) Apple QuickTime Atom Processing Heap Corruption Remote Code Execution Vulner(link is external)
• [4] Apple - Uninstall QuickTime 7 for Windows(link is external)

Revisions

• April 14, 2016: Initial Release