CVE-2020-16003 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2020
Use after free in printing in Google Chrome prior to 86.0.4240.111 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2020-16003 represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting Google Chrome's printing functionality prior to version 86.0.4240.111. This flaw exists within the browser's handling of print-related operations and can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted HTML pages. The issue stems from improper memory management where freed memory blocks are still referenced after deallocation, creating opportunities for heap corruption attacks. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when developers fail to properly track object lifetimes or when reference counting mechanisms malfunction during complex operations involving multiple components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the printing subsystem's interaction with JavaScript objects and DOM elements during print preview generation. When Chrome processes a crafted HTML page containing malicious print-related code, the browser's memory management system may prematurely free memory structures associated with print objects while still maintaining references to them. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations can overwrite the freed memory space with attacker-controlled data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems, and represents a classic heap corruption vulnerability that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-16003 extends beyond simple browser compromise, as it provides attackers with a remote code execution vector that can be leveraged across multiple attack vectors. An attacker could craft a webpage containing malicious print operations that, when visited by a victim, would trigger the use-after-free condition and allow for arbitrary code execution on the target system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and phishing campaigns. The exploitation typically follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution and T1068 for privilege escalation if the initial compromise succeeds.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-16003 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome browsers to version 86.0.4240.111 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes to prevent the use-after-free condition. Additionally, implementing browser hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary print-related JavaScript APIs, using content security policies to restrict print operations, and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional defense layers. Network-based mitigations including sandboxing print operations, implementing strict MIME type checking for print-related content, and monitoring for suspicious print-related API calls can further reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser engines and highlights why regular security updates are essential for maintaining system integrity against sophisticated remote exploitation techniques.