CVE-2025-0997
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's navigation component that allows remote attackers to potentially exploit heap corruption via malicious Chrome extensions. It affects all users running vulnerable versions of Chrome. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Chrome
- Chromium-based browsers
📦 What is this software?
Chrome by Google
Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser, used by over 3 billion users globally across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms. As a Chromium-based browser developed by Google, Chrome dominates the browser market with approximately 65% market share, making it a critical compon...
Learn more about Chrome →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Browser crash (denial of service) or limited information disclosure from memory corruption.
If Mitigated
No impact if Chrome is updated to patched version or if malicious extensions are blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (installing malicious extension or visiting malicious site). Heap corruption exploitation is non-trivial but feasible.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 133.0.6943.98 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2025/02/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_12.html
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome 2. Click three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome 3. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates 4. Relaunch Chrome if prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Chrome Extensions
allTemporarily disable all Chrome extensions to prevent exploitation via malicious extensions
chrome://extensions/ → toggle off all extensions
Restrict Extension Installation
enterpriseConfigure enterprise policies to block extension installation
Configure ExtensionInstallBlocklist via GPO or MDM
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative browser until Chrome can be updated
- Implement application whitelisting to block Chrome execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version in chrome://settings/help or via 'chrome://version/'Check Version:
google-chrome --version (Linux) or wmic datafile where name="C:\\Program Files\\Google\\Chrome\\Application\\chrome.exe" get version (Windows)Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 133.0.6943.98 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports
- Extension installation events from untrusted sources
- Suspicious memory access patterns in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of suspicious Chrome extension files (.crx)
- Connections to known malicious extension repositories
SIEM Query:
source="chrome_logs" AND (event="crash" OR event="extension_install") AND version<"133.0.6943.98"