CVE-2020-16045 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2021
Use after Free in Payments in Google Chrome on Android 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 payment handling components of Google Chrome on Android platforms. The flaw exists within the browser's renderer process implementation where memory management fails to properly handle deallocated resources, creating opportunities for malicious code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 87.0.4280.66 and demonstrates how improper memory handling can lead to privilege escalation scenarios. According to CWE-416, this represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability where an attacker can manipulate freed memory locations to execute arbitrary code. The attack vector requires compromising the renderer process, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1074.001 for data staged for exfiltration. The security implications extend beyond simple memory corruption as this vulnerability enables sandbox escape, allowing attackers to break out of the isolated browser environment and potentially gain broader system access. The affected payment processing components in Chrome's Android implementation create a particularly dangerous attack surface since payment data handling often involves sensitive information and can be leveraged for financial fraud.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's payment handling subsystem where objects are freed from memory but references to those objects remain accessible to malicious code. When the renderer process handles crafted HTML content containing malicious JavaScript or web components, the memory management system fails to properly invalidate object references after deallocation. This creates a window where attacker-controlled code can access freed memory locations and manipulate the execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote code execution within the renderer process, which typically occurs through phishing attacks or compromised websites. Once the renderer is compromised, the attacker can leverage the use-after-free condition to execute code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The Android-specific nature of this vulnerability highlights the platform-specific memory management differences in Chrome's implementation compared to desktop versions. Security researchers have identified that this flaw aligns with ATT&CK tactic T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the multi-layered attack approach required to fully exploit this vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-16045 extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to include significant risks for mobile users and enterprise environments. Mobile browsers represent increasingly valuable attack vectors due to the sensitive nature of mobile device data and the limited security controls available on mobile platforms. Organizations relying on Chrome for Android for business applications face potential data breaches, financial fraud, and system compromise through this vulnerability. The sandbox escape capability means that even if initial compromise occurs through a web page, attackers can potentially access device storage, contacts, and other sensitive applications. This vulnerability affects users who may not be technically sophisticated, as the attack can occur through simple web browsing activities. The impact is particularly concerning for financial institutions and organizations handling sensitive payment information, as the vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to payment processing systems. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of broader mobile security strategies, implementing network monitoring for suspicious web traffic and ensuring timely patch management across all Chrome installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-16045 focus primarily on immediate patching and process hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves updating Chrome to version 87.0.4280.66 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure all Chrome installations remain current with security updates. Browser isolation techniques and content security policies should be enhanced to limit the damage potential from compromised renderer processes. Network security controls including web application firewalls and deep packet inspection should monitor for malicious web content that might exploit this vulnerability. The implementation of exploit prevention measures such as address space layout randomization and control flow integrity can provide additional defense in depth. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of phishing attacks that might lead to renderer compromise. Regular security assessments of mobile browser configurations and monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should maintain detailed incident response procedures specifically addressing browser-based vulnerabilities and ensure that security teams are trained to recognize and respond to use-after-free exploitation patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and implementing comprehensive mobile security strategies that account for platform-specific attack surfaces.