Google fixes two actively exploited Chrome zero-days (CVE-2020-16009, CVE-2020-16010)

Google Chrome bundles the open-source FreeType library for font rendering, and that library contains a heap buffer overflow (CWE-787, out-of-bounds write) in its Load_SBit_Png function. The flaw is triggered when the browser loads a crafted font containing a malicious PNG image embedded as embedded bitmap data, typically from a web page the victim visits, corrupting heap memory with attacker-controlled data. Successful exploitation can crash the browser or execute code in the renderer, and it was used in the wild as part of an exploit chain combined with CVE-2020-17087 (Windows kernel) and CVE-2020-16010 (Android) to escape the sandbox. Anyone running an affected Google Chrome release that ships the vulnerable FreeType code, across Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS and Android, is affected, meaning effectively the entire Chrome install base at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability is confirmed exploited in the wild (listed in CISA's KEV catalog, added 2021-11-03; ransomware use unknown), Google patched it in Chrome 86.0.4240.111, no public proof-of-concept is known, and EPSS estimates a 44.3% probability of exploitation within 30 days (99th percentile).

Do: Update Google Chrome to 86.0.4240.111 or later (any current stable-channel release satisfies this), and where other software bundles FreeType directly, update to FreeType 2.10.4 or later per the upstream fix. Because the bug was chained with CVE-2020-17087 on Windows and CVE-2020-16010 on Android, also apply the corresponding Microsoft Windows and Android updates to close the sandbox-escape chain. Use endpoint management to inventory browser versions and confirm no endpoints remain below the fixed release, as required by the CISA KEV catalog.

CVE-2020-16009 is a type confusion vulnerability (CWE-843) in the V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chromium, which can lead to heap corruption (CWE-787). A remote attacker triggers it by getting a user to load a specially crafted HTML page, such as via a malicious or compromised website. Successful exploitation corrupts the heap and can potentially allow the attacker to execute code in the context of the affected browser. Any Chromium-based browser or application embedding V8 is affected, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera, meaning the affected population is effectively the entire Chromium user base worldwide. CISA added the flaw to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03, confirming exploitation in the wild, with an EPSS probability of 48.3% (99th percentile); ransomware use is unknown and no public PoC is known.

Do: Apply the vendor update per CISA's required action: update all Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, and derivatives) to the latest stable releases from each vendor and restart browsers afterward. Inventory any embedded or packaged Chromium/V8 runtimes in other applications and update them as their maintainers ship fixes. Given confirmed in-the-wild exploitation and high EPSS, prioritize patching endpoints used for web browsing by high-risk users first.

CVE-2020-16010 is a heap buffer overflow (out-of-bounds write, CWE-787/CWE-122) in the UI layer of Google Chrome on Android, fixed in version 86.0.4240.185. It is triggered by a crafted HTML page after a remote attacker has already compromised the Chrome renderer process, meaning it typically functions as a second-stage component of an exploit chain. Successful exploitation lets the attacker escape Chrome's sandbox, moving from the isolated renderer to broader access on the device, with confidentiality, integrity, and availability all rated high (CVSS 3.1: 9.6). Users running Chrome on Android prior to 86.0.4240.185 are affected. The flaw is confirmed exploited in the wild — it was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03 — and EPSS assigns a 6.4% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days (93rd percentile).

Do: Update Chrome on Android to 86.0.4240.185 or later via Google Play and confirm the version on the device (chrome://version); given the CISA KEV listing, treat this patch as urgent. Because the bug requires a prior renderer compromise, also ensure the device's Chrome build includes all current renderer fixes, and enable Play Store auto-updates on managed fleets.

CVE-2020-17087 is a local elevation-of-privilege flaw in the Windows kernel caused by an incorrect buffer size calculation (CWE-131), producing a kernel buffer overflow; public analyses from Microsoft and Google's disclosure place the vulnerable code in the kernel's cryptographic driver (cng.sys). A local attacker with low privileges can trigger the overflow without user interaction, gaining code execution in kernel context and effectively full control of the host (high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability; CVSS 7.8). Every Windows system on the affected builds is exposed: Windows 10 versions 1507 through 20H2, Windows 7, 8.1, RT 8.1, and Windows Server 2008, which at disclosure meant essentially the entire supported Windows install base. The flaw was exploited as a zero-day in the wild: Google disclosed its use in targeted attacks, reportedly chained with a Chrome zero-day, and CISA added it to the KEV catalog on 2021-11-03; EPSS currently estimates a 5.4% probability of exploitation within 30 days (92nd percentile), with ransomware association listed as unknown.

Do: Apply Microsoft's November 2020 Patch Tuesday security updates to all affected Windows 10, Windows 7, 8.1, RT 8.1, and Windows Server 2008 systems; this is CISA's required action for the KEV listing and no official workaround is known. Prioritize hosts where untrusted users can log on locally or via RDP, and ensure Chromium-based browsers are fully updated since this kernel bug was reportedly chained with a Chrome zero-day. After patching, verify the November 2020 update is installed; treat any ransomware association as currently unconfirmed.