CVE-2020-15971
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's printing component that allows a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to potentially escape the browser sandbox. Attackers could execute arbitrary code with higher privileges by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All Chrome users prior to version 86.0.4240.75 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
📦 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...
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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise via sandbox escape leading to arbitrary code execution with user privileges, potentially enabling persistence, data theft, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Limited sandbox escape allowing attackers to execute code with higher privileges than the renderer process, potentially accessing local files or system resources.
If Mitigated
Attack fails due to updated Chrome version or security controls preventing initial renderer compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires chaining with another vulnerability to first compromise the renderer process.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 86.0.4240.75
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click the three-dot menu. 3. Go to Help > About Google Chrome. 4. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 5. Click Relaunch to restart Chrome.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Chrome auto-updates
allPrevent Chrome from automatically updating to potentially vulnerable versions in managed environments.
Windows: Use Group Policy to disable auto-update
Linux: Configure package manager to hold Chrome version
macOS: Use managed preferences to disable updates
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Chrome printing functionality via enterprise policies.
- Use alternative browsers temporarily until patching is possible.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: if below 86.0.4240.75, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
chrome://version/Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 86.0.4240.75 or higher.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports related to printing
- Unusual process spawning from Chrome
- Sandbox policy violations
Network Indicators:
- Connections to known malicious domains serving exploit code
- Unusual printing-related network traffic
SIEM Query:
source="chrome" AND (event="crash" OR process="printing")🔗 References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00016.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1114062
- 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://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00016.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1114062
- 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://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824
