CVE-2020-6570 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Information leakage in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 85.0.4183.83 allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information via a crafted WebRTC interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6570 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within Google Chrome's WebRTC implementation that existed prior to version 85.0.4183.83. This weakness specifically targets the WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) framework which enables real-time communication directly within web browsers without requiring additional plugins or software. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of WebRTC signaling messages and peer connection states, creating an avenue for remote attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from the victim's browser environment. WebRTC technology is widely deployed across various applications including video conferencing platforms, instant messaging services, and collaborative tools, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread impact.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted WebRTC interactions that manipulate the signaling process between peers. Attackers can construct malicious WebRTC sessions that cause the browser to inadvertently reveal internal memory contents, network configuration details, or other sensitive information through improper handling of connection state transitions and message processing. The flaw typically manifests when Chrome processes malformed or specially crafted WebRTC messages that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying WebRTC stack. This information leakage can potentially expose details such as internal IP addresses, memory addresses, or other system-specific information that could aid in further exploitation attempts or compromise the overall security posture of the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-6570 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates potential entry points for more sophisticated attacks. The leaked information could be leveraged by threat actors to perform advanced persistent threat operations, conduct reconnaissance for targeted attacks, or aid in bypassing security controls. This vulnerability particularly affects users of Chrome-based applications that utilize WebRTC for real-time communication, including popular platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and various collaborative software solutions. The risk is amplified because WebRTC functionality is often enabled by default in modern browsers, meaning that users may unknowingly expose themselves to this information leakage without explicit consent or awareness.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Chrome version 85.0.4183.83 or later where Google has implemented proper input validation and sanitization of WebRTC signaling messages. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict WebRTC traffic where possible, though this approach has limitations given the protocol's design for direct peer-to-peer communication. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and could potentially be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols) when used as part of reconnaissance activities. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments of WebRTC-enabled applications and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such information leakage. Additionally, browser security teams should maintain vigilance in monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in real-time communication protocols as these technologies continue to expand in modern web applications.