CVE-2020-15966 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Insufficient policy enforcement in extensions in Google Chrome prior to 85.0.4183.121 allowed an attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2020-15966

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Google Chrome that could be exploited by convincing a user to install a malicious extension.

What is CVE-2020-15966?

The vulnerability allowed an attacker to access potentially sensitive information through a crafted Chrome Extension.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15966

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gather sensitive data from users who installed malicious extensions.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15966

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient policy enforcement in Chrome extensions allowed attackers to access sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: Less than 85.0.4183.121

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by convincing users to install a malicious extension.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability is crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 85.0.4183.121 or higher.
Avoid installing extensions from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and remove unnecessary extensions.
Educate users on the risks of installing unverified extensions.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with security advisories and apply patches promptly.