CVE-2020-15989 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2020-15989, a vulnerability in Google Chrome allowing remote attackers to access sensitive information via crafted PDF files. Find mitigation steps here.
Uninitialized data in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 86.0.4240.75 allowed a remote attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via a crafted PDF file.
Understanding CVE-2020-15989
This CVE involves an uninitialized data vulnerability in Google Chrome that could be exploited by a remote attacker.
What is CVE-2020-15989?
CVE-2020-15989 is a security vulnerability in Google Chrome that allows a remote attacker to access sensitive information through a specially crafted PDF file.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15989
The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the process memory of the affected system, posing a risk to user privacy and security.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15989
This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from uninitialized data in PDFium in Google Chrome versions prior to 86.0.4240.75, enabling an attacker to extract sensitive information from the system's memory.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Chrome
- Vendor: Google
- Versions Affected: < 86.0.4240.75
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker through a specially crafted PDF file to access sensitive information from the system's memory.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-15989, users and organizations should take immediate and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Google Chrome to version 86.0.4240.75 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to detect and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running Google Chrome are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.