CVE-2020-15999
Google Chrome uses FreeType, an open-source software library to render fonts, which contains a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the function…
Browse: All 2020 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 9.6 Critical
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2021-11-03, remediation due 2021-11-17)
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-787, CWE-120
- Published
- 2020-11-03
- Last modified
- 2026-06-17
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
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.
Affected products
- google chrome
- freetype freetype
- debian debian linux
- fedoraproject fedora
- opensuse backports sle
- netapp ontap select deploy administration utility
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2021-11-17.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-11/msg00016.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Nov/33
- https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2020/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_20.html
- https://crbug.com/1139963
- https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/p/rca-cve-2020-15999.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/J3QVIGAAJ4D62YEJAJJWMCCBCOQ6TVL7/
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202011-12
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202012-04
FAQ
Is CVE-2020-15999 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-15999 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2021-11-03, with a federal remediation deadline of 2021-11-17. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-15999?
CVE-2020-15999 has a CVSS base score of 9.6 (Critical). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
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- CVE-2026-87491 — Google Chromium V8
- CVE-2026-85046 — Google Chromium V8
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- CVE-2026-5281 — Google Dawn
- CVE-2026-3910 — Google Chromium V8
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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