CVE-2020-6402 – This vulnerability in Google Chrome on macOS al... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-6402?

CVE-2020-6402 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in Google Chrome on macOS allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by convincing users to install a malicious extension. It affects Chrome users on macOS who haven't updated to version 80.0.3987.87 or later. The insufficient policy enforcement in downloads enables extension-based code execution.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Google Chrome on macOS allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by convincing users to install a malicious extension. It affects Chrome users on macOS who haven't updated to version 80.0.3987.87 or later. The insufficient policy enforcement in downloads enables extension-based code execution.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome

Versions: Versions prior to 80.0.3987.87

Operating Systems: macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects Chrome on macOS, not other operating systems. Requires user to install a malicious extension.

📦 What is this software?

Backports Sle by Opensuse

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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

Full system compromise with attacker gaining complete control over the victim's system, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious extension installation leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, and limited system access.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or if users don't install malicious extensions.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: LOW

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires social engineering to convince user to install malicious extension. No public exploit code available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 80.0.3987.87

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome 2. Click Chrome menu → About Google Chrome 3. Chrome will automatically check for updates 4. If update available, click 'Relaunch' 5. Verify version is 80.0.3987.87 or higher

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable extension installation

all

Prevent users from installing Chrome extensions

chrome://settings/extensions → Toggle 'Allow extensions from other stores' to OFF

Use enterprise policies

all

Configure Chrome via enterprise policies to restrict extension installation

Configure ExtensionInstallBlacklist and ExtensionInstallWhitelist policies

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict extension whitelisting policies
Educate users about risks of installing unknown extensions

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version in About Google Chrome. If version is below 80.0.3987.87, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

google-chrome --version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify Chrome version is 80.0.3987.87 or higher in About Google Chrome.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual extension installation events
Chrome crash reports with extension-related errors

Network Indicators:

Downloads from suspicious extension sources
Unusual outbound connections after extension installation

SIEM Query:

source="chrome_logs" AND (event="extension_install" AND extension_id NOT IN [approved_list])

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-6402

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-20

Published: February 11, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-02/msg00015.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-02/msg00025.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0514 Third Party Advisory
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1029375 Permissions Required
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6IOHSO6BUKC6I66J5PZOMAGFVJ66ZS57/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X3B5RWJQD5LA45MYLLR55KZJOJ5NVZGP/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-08 Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4638 Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-02/msg00015.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-02/msg00025.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0514 Third Party Advisory
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1029375 Permissions Required
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6IOHSO6BUKC6I66J5PZOMAGFVJ66ZS57/
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X3B5RWJQD5LA45MYLLR55KZJOJ5NVZGP/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-08 Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4638 Third Party Advisory

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