CVE-2020-16037 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2021
Use after free in clipboard in Google Chrome prior to 87.0.4280.88 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the clipboard functionality of google chrome browser versions prior to 87.0.4280.88. The flaw occurs when the browser processes clipboard-related operations within html pages, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory references after objects have been freed, allowing malicious actors to corrupt heap memory structures through carefully crafted web content. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to deliver a malicious html page that triggers the vulnerable clipboard functionality, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where users may encounter untrusted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this use-after-free condition, they can manipulate heap metadata and potentially overwrite critical function pointers or execute code within the browser process context. The vulnerability affects chrome's rendering engine and clipboard handling mechanisms, which are integral components of user interaction with web content. This flaw aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the system services and privilege escalation categories, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that enable remote code execution. The exploitation potential is heightened because clipboard functionality is commonly used in web applications, making it a frequent target for malicious actors seeking to compromise user systems through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 87.0.4280.88 and later, which contain patches addressing the memory management issues in clipboard operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all chrome installations are updated promptly, as this vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction through automated web page delivery. Additional protective measures include implementing browser security policies that restrict clipboard access permissions, enabling sandboxing features within the browser environment, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the underlying memory management flaw by ensuring proper reference counting and object lifecycle management in clipboard operations, preventing the reuse of freed memory regions. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies that can block potentially malicious clipboard-related javascript code while maintaining normal browser functionality for legitimate users.