CVE-2020-6541 – This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-6541?

CVE-2020-6541 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause heap corruption via a use-after-free bug in Chrome's WebUSB implementation. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All users running vulnerable Chrome versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause heap corruption via a use-after-free bug in Chrome's WebUSB implementation. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into visiting a malicious webpage. All users running vulnerable Chrome versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome
Chromium-based browsers

Versions: Prior to 84.0.4147.105

Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WebUSB feature to be enabled (default in 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...

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.

🟠

Likely Case

Browser crash, memory corruption, or limited code execution within browser sandbox.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or WebUSB is disabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Exploitable via malicious websites without user interaction beyond visiting page.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user to visit malicious internal site or phishing page.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Proof-of-concept code available on Packet Storm. Exploitation requires bypassing Chrome's sandbox for full impact.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 84.0.4147.105 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_27.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome settings 2. Click 'About Chrome' 3. Allow auto-update to 84.0.4147.105+ 4. Restart browser when prompted

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable WebUSB

all

Disable the WebUSB API to prevent exploitation

chrome://flags/#enable-webusb
Set to 'Disabled'

Block USB devices

all

Use enterprise policy to block WebUSB access

Set DefaultWebUsbGuardSetting to 2 in Chrome policies

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable WebUSB via chrome://flags or group policy
Use application whitelisting to block Chrome execution
Implement network filtering to block malicious sites

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version via chrome://settings/help or 'chrome --version' command

Check Version:

chrome --version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version is 84.0.4147.105 or higher

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports
Unexpected WebUSB API calls
Memory access violations

Network Indicators:

Requests to known exploit domains
Unusual WebUSB protocol traffic

SIEM Query:

source="chrome" AND (event="crash" OR process="chrome" AND action="webusb")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-6541

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-416

Published: September 21, 2020

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159610/Chrome-USB-OnServiceConnectionError-Use-After-Free.html Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_27.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1106773 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EE7XWIZBME7JAY7N6CGPET4CLNHHEIVT/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-30 Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824 Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/159610/Chrome-USB-OnServiceConnectionError-Use-After-Free.html Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_27.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1106773 Permissions Required,Vendor Advisory
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EE7XWIZBME7JAY7N6CGPET4CLNHHEIVT/
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202101-30 Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4824 Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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