CVE-2025-0437: Google Chrome RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-0437 Overview

CVE-2025-0437 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Metrics component of Google Chrome prior to version 132.0.6834.83. A remote attacker can potentially exploit heap corruption by serving a crafted HTML page to a target user. Chromium classifies the security severity as High. The flaw is tracked under [CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read] and requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious web page. Successful exploitation can result in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected browser process.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger heap corruption in Chrome's Metrics component through a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the renderer process.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 132.0.6834.83
Chromium-based browsers incorporating the vulnerable Metrics component
Desktop builds across Windows, macOS, and Linux

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-15 - CVE-2025-0437 published to NVD
2025-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0437

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Metrics component of Google Chrome, which collects and processes telemetry and performance data within the browser. An out-of-bounds read occurs when the component accesses memory beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer. Attackers can leverage this read primitive to trigger heap corruption, leading to memory disclosure or further exploitation paths such as renderer process compromise.

Exploitation requires the victim to load a crafted HTML page. Once rendered, the malicious content drives the Metrics code into an unsafe memory access pattern. Because Chrome runs the renderer in a sandboxed process, additional sandbox escape vulnerabilities would typically be required to achieve full system compromise. Google addressed the issue in stable channel update 132.0.6834.83.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper bounds checking in the Metrics subsystem [CWE-125]. The code reads from a memory location without validating that the offset or index remains within the allocated buffer. Attacker-controlled inputs delivered through HTML and JavaScript can manipulate the conditions that trigger the unsafe read, producing heap corruption.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based with low complexity but requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a malicious page or compromises a legitimate site to deliver crafted HTML content. When the victim's vulnerable Chrome browser renders the page, the Metrics component processes attacker-influenced data and reads outside the intended buffer. No authentication is required for the attack to succeed.

The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Google Chrome Update Announcement and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry. Detailed technical specifics remain restricted while users update.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0437

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer process crashes or unexpected terminations correlated with browsing activity
Outbound connections from endpoints to newly registered or low-reputation domains hosting active web content
Browser telemetry indicating unusual Metrics subsystem faults prior to patching

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome installations and flag any version below 132.0.6834.83 as vulnerable
Monitor endpoint logs for repeated renderer crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts against memory corruption flaws
Correlate web proxy logs with browser crash events to identify potentially malicious pages

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize browser version inventory through endpoint management or EDR telemetry
Track Chrome update compliance across managed fleets and alert on stale versions
Review DNS and proxy logs for traffic to suspicious domains coinciding with crash telemetry

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0437

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 132.0.6834.83 or later on all managed endpoints
Restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched binaries are loaded
Verify Chromium-based browsers used in the environment have incorporated the upstream fix

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the stable channel update for desktop on January 14, 2025. The patched version is 132.0.6834.83 and later. Administrators should consult the Google Chrome Update Announcement for full release details and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for issue tracking.

Workarounds

Enforce automatic updates through Chrome enterprise policies to minimize exposure windows
Restrict browsing to trusted sites via web filtering until patching is complete
Disable or sandbox third-party content where feasible to reduce attack surface

bash

# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux
google-chrome --version

# Verify installed Chrome version on macOS
/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --version

# Windows: check via registry
reg query "HKLM\Software\Google\Update\Clients\{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}" /v pv