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Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2020-15999 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 3 Nov 2021

Gociux · Google Chrome FreeType · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2020-15999, Google Chrome FreeType Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, 365 days after it was published. It affects Google Chrome FreeType. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 3 Nov 2021
ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use
EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited
severity9.6CVSS 3.1 · critical
US federal due17 Nov 2021BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

Google Chrome uses FreeType, an open-source software library to render fonts, which contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the function Load_SBit_Png when processing PNG images embedded into fonts. This vulnerability is part of an exploit chain with CVE-2020-17087 on Windows and CVE-2020-16010 on Android.

VendorGoogle (77 exploited CVEs in KEV)
ProductChrome FreeType
VulnerabilityGoogle Chrome FreeType Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
WeaknessCWE-787
Published3 Nov 2020
Added to KEV3 Nov 2021
Reported by (CNA)Chrome

What to do

  1. Check whether you run it. Look for Chrome FreeType in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Google CVE at once.
  2. Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 3 Nov 2020.
  4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Google.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2020-15999 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-15999 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2020-15999 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15999?

Apply updates per vendor instructions. Check Google's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Chrome FreeType and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in November 2021 · Google scorecard · act-now radar.

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