CVE-2020-6568 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Insufficient policy enforcement in intent handling in Google Chrome on Android prior to 85.0.4183.83 allowed a remote attacker to bypass navigation restrictions via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6568 represents a critical weakness in Google Chrome's intent handling mechanism on Android platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 85.0.4183.83. This flaw resides within the browser's policy enforcement framework that governs how applications interact through Android's intent system, which serves as a fundamental communication protocol between different components in the mobile operating environment. The issue stems from inadequate validation of intent parameters that should normally restrict navigation behavior based on security policies and user permissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted HTML page that manipulates Chrome's intent handling process to bypass established navigation restrictions. Attackers can construct malicious web content that leverages Android's intent system to trigger unauthorized navigation actions, effectively circumventing the security controls that should prevent such behavior. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where the browser fails to properly sanitize or verify intent parameters before executing navigation commands. The flaw operates at the intersection of web browser security and mobile operating system permissions, exploiting the trust relationship between Chrome and the underlying Android framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users who may inadvertently visit malicious websites, potentially leading to unauthorized redirection to harmful content or exploitation of other system components. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no local privileges or specialized malware installation, making it accessible to any remote attacker capable of delivering malicious HTML content. The impact extends beyond simple navigation bypass, as successful exploitation could enable further attacks through chained vulnerabilities or provide attackers with access to sensitive user data through unintended navigation paths. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses insufficient access control, and demonstrates how improper intent handling can create security boundaries that are easily circumvented.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability exists within the core browser functionality that handles internet navigation. The recommended mitigation strategy includes updating to Chrome version 85.0.4183.83 or later, which implements enhanced intent validation and policy enforcement mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls to monitor and block suspicious intent-based navigation patterns, while users should exercise caution when visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile browser components that interface with operating system frameworks. This issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for web shell execution and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, emphasizing the broader attack surface that can be exploited through seemingly benign web content manipulation.