KKN Gurugram Desk | India’s cybersecurity watchdog, CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), has issued a critical advisory for users of the Google Chrome browser. Two severe vulnerabilities have been identified that could potentially allow remote attackers to compromise user data and systems. These vulnerabilities primarily affect Chrome users on Mac, PC, and Linux platforms, underscoring the need for immediate action to secure devices.

The flaws, labeled as CIVN-2025-0007 and CIVN-2025-0008, carry critical and high-severity ratings, making it essential for users to apply the latest security patches immediately.

The Identified Vulnerabilities in Google Chrome

According to CERT-In, these vulnerabilities affect versions of Google Chrome that have not been updated to the latest release. Specifically:

1. CIVN-2025-0007: Impacts Chrome versions prior to 132.0.6834.83/8r on Windows and Mac platforms.
2. CIVN-2025-0008: Impacts Chrome versions prior to 132.0.6834.110/111 on Windows and Mac and versions prior to 132.0.6834.110 on Linux.

If you are using a version older than these, your system may be at risk. Google Chrome users are urged to check their browser version and update to the latest release immediately to safeguard their devices from potential exploitation.

How These Vulnerabilities Affect Users

The vulnerabilities outlined by CERT-In are serious in nature and have the potential to cause significant harm:

1. CIVN-2025-0007

This vulnerability involves multiple issues within Google Chrome, including:

• Out-of-bounds memory access in V8 (Chrome’s JavaScript engine).
• Inappropriate implementations in various components such as navigation, fullscreen, fenced frames, payments, and extensions.
• Integer overflow in Skia (a graphics library).
• Out-of-bounds read in metrics and stack buffer overflow in tracing.
• Race conditions in Frames and insufficient data validation in Extensions.

If exploited, it could allow remote attackers to:

• Execute arbitrary code on the target system.
• Cause a Denial of Service (DoS), making the system unstable or unresponsive.
• Disclose sensitive information, posing a serious risk to privacy.
• Bypass security restrictions, compromising the integrity of the system.

2. CIVN-2025-0008

This vulnerability also involves issues with Chrome’s V8 engine, including:

• Object corruption in V8.
• Out-of-bounds memory access in V8.

These flaws could enable remote attackers to:

• Execute arbitrary code via specially crafted webpages.
• Cause Denial of Service (DoS) conditions, rendering the system inoperable.
• Steal sensitive user data or cause overall system instability.

Why This Matters for End-Users and Organizations

These vulnerabilities are not limited to individual users but also pose significant risks to organizations relying on Google Chrome for daily operations. Hackers can exploit these flaws to compromise sensitive information, cause system crashes, or exfiltrate data, resulting in financial losses or reputational damage.

CERT-In has emphasized that users must act immediately to prevent potential exploitation. This is particularly important for organizations, as compromised systems could lead to breaches of critical data or disruptions in operations.

How to Protect Yourself: Steps to Mitigate the Risks

To protect against these vulnerabilities, CERT-In has recommended the following steps:

1. Update Google Chrome:
   • Open Google Chrome.
   • Navigate to Settings > About Chrome to check for updates.
   • If an update is available, install it immediately. Ensure your browser is updated to version 132.0.6834.83/8r or later (for Windows/Mac) or 132.0.6834.110 (for Linux).
2. Apply Security Patches:
   • Ensure all security patches released by Google are installed promptly.
3. Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links:
   • Do not click on unknown or untrusted links, especially on email or unverified websites.
4. Enable Automatic Updates:
   • In your browser settings, enable automatic updates to ensure you always have the latest security enhancements.
5. Monitor System Behavior:
   • Keep an eye on your system’s performance and functionality. Any unusual behavior may indicate a potential security breach.

How Hackers Exploit These Vulnerabilities

Cybercriminals can exploit these vulnerabilities by creating specially crafted websites or requests that target Chrome’s weak points. For example:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE): Attackers can run malicious code on a victim’s device, potentially taking complete control of the system.
• Denial of Service (DoS): Attackers can flood a system with requests, making it unstable or inoperable.
• Sensitive Data Theft: Exploiting flaws to extract user data like passwords, financial details, or other private information.

These attacks highlight the importance of keeping browsers up to date, as outdated software often becomes the easiest target for hackers.

The Importance of Browser Security

Browsers like Google Chrome are gateways to the internet, making them critical for both personal and professional use. Vulnerabilities like these can have severe consequences, especially as browsers handle sensitive tasks such as online banking, email, and corporate communications.

By regularly updating browsers and applying security patches, users can:

• Ensure data integrity and privacy.
• Avoid system instability caused by unpatched vulnerabilities.
• Protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

The recent vulnerabilities in Google Chrome, as identified by CERT-In, serve as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness. Whether you’re an individual user or part of an organization, securing your browser against potential threats is essential to maintaining both privacy and productivity.

If you are using an outdated version of Google Chrome, update your browser immediately to safeguard your system from potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, follow cybersecurity best practices, and ensure your systems remain protected against emerging threats.

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