CVE-2020-6469 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in developer tools in Google Chrome prior to 83.0.4103.61 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted Chrome Extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6469 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's developer tool implementation that existed prior to version 83.0.4103.61. This flaw stems from insufficient policy enforcement mechanisms within the browser's extension architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust model that governs extension installation and execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the Chrome Extension sandboxing mechanism, which is designed to isolate potentially malicious extensions from the underlying operating system and other browser components. When a user installs a malicious extension, the inadequate policy controls allow the extension to bypass normal sandbox boundaries and potentially escalate privileges or access restricted system resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and specifically demonstrates how insufficient policy enforcement can lead to privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting a malicious Chrome Extension that appears legitimate to users but contains code designed to exploit the policy gaps. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where users are convinced to install the malicious extension, often through deceptive means that exploit human trust in the extension marketplace. Once installed, the extension can potentially escape the sandbox environment through various techniques including memory corruption, privilege escalation, or exploitation of kernel-level vulnerabilities that the extension's code can access due to the weakened policy controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple sandbox escape capabilities and represents a significant threat to browser security integrity. When successful, such an attack could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects Chrome's extension architecture at its core, undermining the fundamental security model that separates user extensions from system resources. This weakness particularly impacts enterprise environments where users may be more susceptible to social engineering attacks, and where the compromise of a single browser session could provide access to sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability also demonstrates how seemingly minor policy enforcement gaps can create significant security risks when combined with user interaction requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-6469 primarily focus on updating Chrome to version 83.0.4103.61 or later, which incorporates improved policy enforcement mechanisms and enhanced sandboxing controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive extension management policies that restrict the installation of third-party extensions and maintain strict monitoring of installed extensions. Security teams should conduct regular audits of browser extensions and implement automated tools to detect potentially malicious extensions. The remediation process should include user education programs that emphasize the risks of installing unknown extensions and the importance of verifying extension legitimacy through official sources. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious extension-related activities and potential sandbox escape attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both technical controls and user awareness training, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's application of privilege escalation techniques and browser exploitation methods.