CVE-2020-16024
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is a heap buffer overflow in Google Chrome's UI component that allows a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to potentially escape the browser's sandbox. It affects users running Chrome versions prior to 87.0.4280.66. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
📦 What is this software?
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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control over the victim's machine, enabling data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Sandbox escape leading to arbitrary code execution with system-level privileges, allowing installation of malware, credential theft, and lateral movement.
If Mitigated
Limited to renderer process compromise without sandbox escape, restricting damage to browser session data and preventing system-level access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires first compromising the renderer process through another vulnerability, then using this bug for sandbox escape. Public proof-of-concept code exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 87.0.4280.66
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/11/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_17.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 with the patched version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents initial renderer compromise that's required to trigger this vulnerability
chrome://settings/content/javascript
Use Site Isolation
allEnhances sandboxing by isolating each site in separate processes
chrome://flags/#enable-site-per-process
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict Chrome usage to trusted websites only
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized Chrome execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in About Google Chrome page. If version is below 87.0.4280.66, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
chrome://version/Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 87.0.4280.66 or higher in About Google Chrome page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports with memory violation errors
- Unexpected Chrome child process termination
- Sandbox process creation anomalies
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Chrome processes
- Traffic to known exploit hosting domains
SIEM Query:
source="chrome" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_name="chrome.exe" AND parent_process!="explorer.exe")🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161353/Chrome-SkBitmapOperations-UnPreMultiply-Heap-Buffer-Overflow.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/11/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_17.html
- https://crbug.com/1147430
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161353/Chrome-SkBitmapOperations-UnPreMultiply-Heap-Buffer-Overflow.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/11/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_17.html
- https://crbug.com/1147430
