CVE-2020-6381 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in JavaScript in Google Chrome on ChromeOS and Android prior to 80.0.3987.87 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6381 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the JavaScript engine of Google Chrome affecting ChromeOS and Android platforms. This vulnerability resides in the handling of integer values during JavaScript execution, specifically within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Chrome's browser functionality. The flaw manifests when processing crafted HTML pages that contain maliciously constructed integer operations, potentially leading to unexpected behavior in memory management and allocation processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in integer arithmetic operations within Chrome's JavaScript engine. When the engine processes JavaScript code containing overflow-prone operations, particularly those involving large integer values that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type, the system fails to properly handle the overflow condition. This results in a situation where the calculated memory allocation size becomes negative or excessively large, causing the heap memory management system to allocate incorrect amounts of memory or corrupt existing heap structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, creating potential exploitation pathways for remote attackers. An attacker could craft a malicious HTML page containing JavaScript code that triggers the integer overflow condition, potentially leading to heap corruption that could be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that users could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, without requiring any additional user interaction or privilege escalation. This makes it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where ChromeOS and Android devices are frequently exposed to untrusted web content.
The security implications of CVE-2020-6381 align with CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions as a fundamental flaw in data handling and validation. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers JavaScript execution within web browsers, and T1203, covering exploitation of remote services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Chrome's JavaScript engine is invoked during routine web browsing activities, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable across a wide range of user interactions. The integer overflow creates a condition where heap memory corruption can occur, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute malicious code with the privileges of the browser process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 80.0.3987.87 or later, as this represents the first version that includes the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive browser update policies to ensure all ChromeOS and Android devices receive security patches promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains while patches are deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust integer validation in memory management systems and highlights the need for continuous security testing of JavaScript engines, particularly in mobile operating environments where browser-based attacks pose significant risks to user data and system integrity.