CVE-2020-15969
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is a use-after-free memory corruption flaw in Chrome's WebRTC component. It allows remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All Chrome users prior to version 86.0.4240.75 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
- Chromium-based browsers
📦 What is this software?
Backports Sle by Opensuse
Chrome by Google
Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser, used by over 3 billion users globally across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. As a Chromium-based browser developed by Google, Chrome dominates the browser market with approximately 65% market share, making it a critical compon...
Learn more about Chrome →Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Fedora by Fedoraproject
Ipados by Apple
Macos by Apple
macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...
Learn more about Macos →Safari by Apple
Tvos by Apple
Watchos by Apple
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Browser crash/denial of service, or limited code execution within browser sandbox.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or workarounds are applied.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires bypassing Chrome's sandbox and ASLR, but use-after-free vulnerabilities are commonly exploited.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 86.0.4240.75 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click menu (three dots) → Help → About Google Chrome. 3. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 4. Click 'Relaunch' to restart Chrome.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WebRTC
allTemporarily disable WebRTC functionality to prevent exploitation.
chrome://flags/#disable-webrtc
Set 'WebRTC' flag to 'Disabled'
Use Chrome Enterprise policies
windowsDeploy group policies to disable WebRTC or enforce Chrome updates.
Configure 'DefaultWebRtcSetting' policy to 2 (disable)
Configure 'AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes' to enforce updates
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative browsers without WebRTC vulnerabilities
- Implement network filtering to block malicious websites and restrict browser usage
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: if below 86.0.4240.75, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
chrome://version/ (on Chrome) or 'google-chrome --version' (command line)Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 86.0.4240.75 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with WebRTC-related modules
- Unexpected Chrome process termination
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WebRTC connections to external IPs
- Suspicious JavaScript loading WebRTC APIs
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_crash_logs" AND (process="chrome" OR module="webrtc") AND event="crash"🔗 References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00016.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/24
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/27
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/29
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/30
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1124659
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/24QFL4C3AZKMFVL7LVSYMU2DNE5VVUGS/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4GWCWNHTTYOH6HSFUXPGPBB6J6JYZHZE/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SC3U3H6AISVZB5PLZLLNF4HMQ4UFFL7M/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-30
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212003
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212005
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212007
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212009
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011
- https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00016.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/24
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/26
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/27
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/29
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Dec/30
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1124659
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/24QFL4C3AZKMFVL7LVSYMU2DNE5VVUGS/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4GWCWNHTTYOH6HSFUXPGPBB6J6JYZHZE/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SC3U3H6AISVZB5PLZLLNF4HMQ4UFFL7M/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-30
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212003
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212005
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212007
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212009
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT212011
- https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824
