CVE-2020-6537 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 84.0.4147.105 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6537 represents a critical type confusion flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome. This issue stems from improper handling of object types during runtime execution, creating a scenario where the engine incorrectly interprets data types leading to memory corruption. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 84.0.4147.105, making it a significant concern for users operating older browser versions. Type confusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to bypass security restrictions and execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the V8 engine's object handling mechanisms where it fails to properly validate type information during dynamic operations. When a crafted HTML page is loaded, the malicious code manipulates the JavaScript engine to perform operations on objects with conflicting type information. This confusion allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code within the browser's sandboxed environment. The flaw demonstrates a classic weakness in memory management and type safety that can be leveraged to circumvent the isolation mechanisms designed to protect users from malicious web content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to end users and organizations alike. Remote attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit this flaw without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the compromised site. The sandbox escape capability means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, as attackers would gain access to user data, files, and potentially execute commands with the privileges of the browser process. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
The attack surface for CVE-2020-6537 aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through browser vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also maps to CWE-476 which describes null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to similar memory corruption scenarios. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability provides direct execution capabilities within the browser sandbox. Security teams should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent access to known malicious domains while patches are deployed. Regular browser updates and user education about avoiding suspicious websites remain critical defensive measures against this class of vulnerability.