CVE-2020-16041
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read in Google Chrome's networking component that allows a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to read sensitive information from process memory via a crafted HTML page. It affects Chrome users on all platforms who haven't updated to the patched version.
💻 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
An attacker could exfiltrate sensitive data from Chrome's memory, potentially including authentication tokens, session cookies, or other confidential information from the compromised renderer process.
Likely Case
Information disclosure from the renderer process memory, which could include browsing data, form inputs, or other information accessible to the compromised renderer.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if Chrome is fully patched or if the renderer process hasn't been compromised through other means.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires first compromising the renderer process through another vulnerability, then using this bug for information disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 87.0.4280.88
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/12/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 with the update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript
allPrevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could exploit this vulnerability
Use Chrome's Site Isolation
allEnhances process separation to limit impact of renderer compromise
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to untrusted websites
- Use alternative browsers temporarily
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in Settings > About ChromeCheck Version:
chrome://version/Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Chrome version is 87.0.4280.88 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports
- Unusual memory access patterns in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound data transfers from Chrome processes
SIEM Query:
Process:chrome.exe AND (EventID:1000 OR EventID:1001) AND Version < 87.0.4280.88🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161581/Chrome-DataElement-Out-Of-Bounds-Read.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1151865
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/161581/Chrome-DataElement-Out-Of-Bounds-Read.html
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
- https://crbug.com/1151865
