CVE-2018-20066 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Google Chrome prior to version 71.0.3578.80 had a vulnerability in Extensions that could be exploited by a remote attacker through crafted HTML pages, potentially leading to heap corruption.

Understanding CVE-2018-20066

This CVE relates to a specific vulnerability in Google Chrome that could allow for remote exploitation.

What is CVE-2018-20066?

In versions before 71.0.3578.80, Google Chrome had a flaw in the object lifecycle within Extensions, enabling a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption using a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20066

The vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger heap corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20066

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stemmed from incorrect object lifecycle management in Extensions in Google Chrome versions prior to 71.0.3578.80, allowing for potential heap corruption via a crafted HTML page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 71.0.3578.80

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker through a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to heap corruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-20066, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 71.0.3578.80 or later.
Avoid visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Chrome and other software to the latest versions.
Implement strong security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software.

Patching and Updates

Google released a patch in version 71.0.3578.80 to address this vulnerability.