CVE-2025-13633
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's Digital Credentials feature that allows heap corruption. Attackers who compromise the renderer process can potentially execute arbitrary code or cause browser crashes via malicious HTML pages. All Chrome users on affected versions are vulnerable.
💻 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 →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 full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Browser crash (denial of service) or limited sandbox escape allowing further exploitation.
If Mitigated
Browser crash with no data loss if sandbox holds, or blocked exploit attempt.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires renderer process compromise first, but then exploitation is straightforward. No public exploits known at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 143.0.7499.41 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2025/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Chrome. 2. Click three-dot menu → Help → About Google Chrome. 3. Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. 4. Click 'Relaunch' when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Digital Credentials
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable feature via Chrome flags
Navigate to chrome://flags/#digital-credentials
Set to 'Disabled'
Relaunch Chrome
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use Chrome's site isolation and sandboxing features (enabled by default)
- Implement web filtering to block known malicious sites and restrict user browsing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Chrome version: if below 143.0.7499.41, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
On command line: google-chrome --version (Linux) or 'chrome://version' in browser address barVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Chrome version is 143.0.7499.41 or higher after update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Chrome crash reports
- Renderer process termination events
- Unexpected browser restarts
Network Indicators:
- Requests to known exploit domains
- Unusual outbound connections after visiting websites
SIEM Query:
source="chrome" AND (event="crash" OR event="renderer_killed") AND version<"143.0.7499.41"