CVE-2020-16021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Google Chrome on ChromeOS allowed a remote attacker to escalate privileges via a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2020-16021

This CVE describes a race condition in the image burner component of Google Chrome on ChromeOS.

What is CVE-2020-16021?

A race condition in Google Chrome on ChromeOS before version 87.0.4280.66 enabled a remote attacker, who compromised the browser process, to achieve OS-level privilege escalation through a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16021

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the affected system, potentially leading to further compromise or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16021

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stemmed from a race condition in the image burner component of Google Chrome on ChromeOS.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: Prior to 87.0.4280.66

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker needed to compromise the browser process to exploit the race condition and execute privilege escalation via a malicious file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-16021 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 87.0.4280.66 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security updates and apply patches promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access to critical system components.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Google Chrome and apply patches as soon as they are released.