CVE-2020-16014 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2021
Use after free in PPAPI in Google Chrome prior to 87.0.4280.66 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the Pepper Plugin API component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 87.0.4280.66. The flaw exists within the browser's architecture where memory management fails to properly handle object lifecycles, creating opportunities for malicious code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free error, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the memory contents or redirect execution flow. The PPAPI implementation serves as a bridge between the browser's sandboxed environment and native plugin functionality, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to bypass security boundaries.
The attack scenario requires an attacker to first compromise the renderer process through a crafted HTML page, which then exploits the memory management flaw to achieve sandbox escape. This represents a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the inherent trust relationships within the browser architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated memory management issues can be escalated to system-level compromises, particularly when the affected component interfaces with lower-level system resources. Attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised renderer process, which may then be used to escalate further into full system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Chrome-based applications, as the attack requires only a single compromised page to potentially gain full system access. The exploitation mechanism aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as the attack targets legitimate browser processes to achieve persistence and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects the browser's security model by undermining the isolation between renderer processes and system resources, effectively weakening the sandbox boundary. Organizations must understand that this flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in Chrome's process isolation mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within a compromised system.
The recommended mitigations include immediate upgrading to Chrome version 87.0.4280.66 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in PPAPI. Additionally, organizations should implement browser hardening measures such as enabling site isolation, disabling unnecessary plugins, and implementing strict content security policies. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and sandboxing configurations can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should also monitor for exploitation attempts through unusual renderer process behavior or memory access patterns, as these may indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts before they can result in full system compromise.