CVE-2020-6540 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 84.0.4147.105 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6540 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Skia graphics library component that forms part of Google Chrome's rendering engine. This issue exists in versions of Chrome prior to 84.0.4147.105 and demonstrates how seemingly benign web content can be weaponized to execute malicious code through heap corruption techniques. The Skia library serves as a comprehensive 2D graphics software library that handles rendering operations for various visual elements within web browsers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise user systems through web-based exploits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the Skia library's handling of certain graphical operations. When processing specifically crafted HTML content, the library fails to properly validate input data sizes, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the rendering of complex graphical elements, particularly those involving transformations, scaling operations, or advanced visual effects that require substantial memory allocation. The flaw specifically manifests when Chrome encounters malformed or maliciously constructed HTML elements that trigger the vulnerable code path in Skia's memory management routines, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate heap memory structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users since it enables remote code execution through web-based attack vectors without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. The exploit potential aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the execution and privilege escalation domains where adversaries leverage browser vulnerabilities to gain system control. The heap corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be used to achieve arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users cannot protect themselves through simple behavioral changes, as the attack can occur simply by loading a malicious webpage.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect enterprise environments where Chrome is widely deployed. Organizations must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities in their security posture, particularly given the extensive use of Chrome across corporate networks and the potential for lateral movement once initial compromise occurs. Remediation efforts should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to prevent exploitation, while security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security assessments to identify and mitigate similar risks in other browser components or third-party libraries.