CVE-2020-16002 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A use after free vulnerability in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 86.0.4240.111 could allow a remote attacker to exploit heap corruption through a malicious PDF file.

Understanding CVE-2020-16002

This CVE entry describes a specific security vulnerability in Google Chrome that could lead to potential exploitation by attackers.

What is CVE-2020-16002?

CVE-2020-16002 is a use after free vulnerability in the PDFium component of Google Chrome before version 86.0.4240.111. This flaw could be abused by a remote attacker to trigger heap corruption by enticing a user to open a specially crafted PDF file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16002

The vulnerability could result in heap corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected system. An attacker exploiting this flaw could compromise the security and integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16002

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The use after free vulnerability in PDFium in Google Chrome allows an attacker to manipulate memory allocation after it has been freed, potentially leading to heap corruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 86.0.4240.111

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker through the use of a specially crafted PDF file, triggering the heap corruption and potentially executing malicious code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16002 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 86.0.4240.111 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Consider using alternative PDF viewers until the patch is applied.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users about safe browsing practices and the risks associated with opening files from unfamiliar sources.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Google Chrome are updated to version 86.0.4240.111 or above to patch the vulnerability and enhance system security.