CVE-2020-6544 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use after free in media in Google Chrome prior to 84.0.4147.125 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6544 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the media handling components of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 84.0.4147.125. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically affects the browser's media processing capabilities, which handle various multimedia elements including audio and video content that users encounter on web pages. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through web-based attacks without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from improper memory management within Chrome's media subsystem where allocated memory blocks are freed but not properly invalidated before subsequent access attempts. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages containing specially constructed multimedia elements that trigger the vulnerable code path. When the browser processes these crafted elements, the memory management error allows for heap corruption, potentially enabling attackers to control the execution flow of the application. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through standard web traffic without requiring any specialized tools or user interaction beyond browsing.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-6544 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially allow remote code execution on affected systems. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, which typically runs with the user's privileges and may have access to sensitive data or system resources. The vulnerability affects all supported operating systems where Chrome is installed, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android platforms. Given the widespread adoption of Google Chrome, the potential attack surface is extensive, with millions of users potentially exposed to this vulnerability. The exploitability factor is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage, making it a prime target for phishing campaigns or drive-by downloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-6544 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates. Organizations should prioritize updating all Chrome installations to version 84.0.4147.125 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues. Additionally, security teams should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious HTML content. Browser hardening measures including sandboxing, strict content security policies, and disabling unnecessary multimedia features can provide additional defense layers. From an operational perspective, regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure points. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection strategies. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and potential heap corruption indicators that may signal exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious web content and the importance of keeping browser software updated to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.