CVE-2020-6545 – This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrom... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2020-6545?

CVE-2020-6545 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's audio component that allows remote attackers to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Attackers could execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. All Chrome users prior to version 84.0.4147.125 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's audio component that allows remote attackers to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. Attackers could execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. All Chrome users prior to version 84.0.4147.125 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Chrome
Chromium-based browsers

Versions: All versions prior to 84.0.4147.125

Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, Chrome OS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard Chrome installations are vulnerable. Extensions or security settings don't mitigate this.

📦 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 complete system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment

🟠

Likely Case

Browser crash/denial of service or limited code execution in sandboxed context

🟢

If Mitigated

Browser crash with no further impact if sandbox holds

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Attack can be triggered by visiting malicious websites

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires user interaction with malicious content

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploit requires user to visit malicious website. Chrome's sandbox may limit impact.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 84.0.4147.125 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Open Chrome 2. Click menu → Help → About Google Chrome 3. Chrome will check for and install updates 4. Click Relaunch to restart

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable JavaScript

all

Prevents execution of malicious JavaScript that could trigger the vulnerability

chrome://settings/content/javascript → Block

Use site isolation

all

Enables site isolation to limit impact if exploited

chrome://flags/#enable-site-per-process → Enable

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict web browsing to trusted sites only
Use application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Chrome version in menu → Help → About Google Chrome

Check Version:

google-chrome --version (Linux) or chrome://version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify version is 84.0.4147.125 or higher

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Chrome crash reports
Unexpected process termination
Sandbox escape attempts

Network Indicators:

Requests to known malicious domains hosting exploit code

SIEM Query:

process_name:"chrome.exe" AND (event_id:1000 OR event_id:1001) AND version < "84.0.4147.125"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2020-6545

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

https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1095584 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
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/08/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html Release Notes,Vendor Advisory
https://crbug.com/1095584 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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