CVE-2020-6521 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A side-channel information leakage vulnerability in Google Chrome before version 84.0.4147.89 allowed remote attackers to access sensitive data from process memory.

Understanding CVE-2020-6521

What is CVE-2020-6521?

This CVE refers to a security flaw in Google Chrome that enabled attackers to extract potentially sensitive information through a specially crafted HTML page.

The Impact of CVE-2020-6521

The vulnerability could be exploited remotely, posing a risk of unauthorized access to confidential data stored in the browser's memory.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-6521

Vulnerability Description

The issue involved a side-channel information leakage in the autofill feature of Google Chrome, affecting versions prior to 84.0.4147.89.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 84.0.4147.89

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could leverage a crafted HTML page to trigger the vulnerability and retrieve sensitive data from the browser's process memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 84.0.4147.89 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links to minimize the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update your browser and other software to patch known security issues.
Implement strong security measures such as firewalls and antivirus software to enhance overall protection.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches released by Google to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-6521.