CVE-2025-0762: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2025-0762 Overview

CVE-2025-0762 is a Use After Free vulnerability affecting the DevTools component in Google Chrome prior to version 132.0.6834.159. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption through a crafted Chrome Extension. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management in the DevTools functionality, where memory is accessed after it has been freed, leading to potential heap corruption that could be leveraged for malicious purposes.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation of this Use After Free vulnerability could allow attackers to achieve remote code execution with the privileges of the Chrome browser process, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 132.0.6834.159
All platforms running vulnerable Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Chrome-based browsers that may share the affected DevTools codebase

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-29 - CVE-2025-0762 published to NVD
2025-04-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0762

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a type of memory corruption vulnerability that occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it references has been deallocated. In the context of Chrome's DevTools, this flaw enables attackers to manipulate the browser's memory state through specially crafted Chrome Extensions.

Use After Free vulnerabilities in browser contexts are particularly dangerous because browsers handle sensitive user data including credentials, session tokens, and personal information. The DevTools component has elevated privileges for debugging purposes, making it an attractive target for exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-0762 lies in improper memory lifecycle management within Chrome's DevTools implementation. When certain DevTools operations are performed, the code fails to properly track memory allocation states, leading to a scenario where freed memory blocks are subsequently accessed. This dangling pointer condition creates an exploitable heap corruption scenario that malicious Chrome Extensions can leverage.

Attack Vector

The attack requires user interaction, specifically the installation and execution of a malicious Chrome Extension. Once installed, the crafted extension can trigger the vulnerable code path in DevTools, causing the Use After Free condition. The attack is network-based, as malicious extensions can be distributed through various channels including compromised websites or social engineering campaigns.

The exploitation flow involves:

Victim installs a malicious Chrome Extension
The extension triggers specific DevTools functionality
Memory is freed but a reference is retained
The extension manipulates the heap state
The dangling pointer is dereferenced, causing heap corruption
Attacker achieves code execution within the browser context

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0762

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Chrome crashes or instability, particularly when using DevTools
Suspicious Chrome Extensions installed without user knowledge
Unusual memory consumption patterns in Chrome processes
Chrome DevTools behaving erratically or triggering unexpected errors

Detection Strategies

Monitor Chrome extension installations for unauthorized or suspicious additions
Implement endpoint detection for anomalous Chrome process behavior
Deploy browser security policies to restrict extension installations to approved sources
Use memory corruption detection tools to identify exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Chrome's built-in security features and crash reporting
Monitor enterprise environments for unauthorized Chrome Extension deployments
Implement network monitoring for communication to known malicious extension command and control infrastructure
Review Chrome logs for DevTools-related crashes or errors

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0762

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 132.0.6834.159 or later immediately
Audit installed Chrome Extensions and remove any untrusted or suspicious extensions
Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely security patch deployment
Consider implementing enterprise browser policies to restrict extension installations

Patch Information

Google has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Chrome version 132.0.6834.159. The fix properly manages memory lifecycle in the DevTools component, preventing the Use After Free condition. Organizations and users should update immediately via Chrome's built-in update mechanism or download the latest version from Google's official channels.

For detailed information about this security update, refer to the Google Chrome Desktop Update announcement. Additional technical details can be found in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Workarounds

Restrict Chrome Extension installations to trusted sources only using enterprise policies
Disable DevTools in managed environments where it is not required for business operations
Implement browser isolation technologies to limit the impact of potential exploitation
Use network segmentation to contain potential browser-based attacks

bash

# Chrome Enterprise Policy Configuration
# Restrict extension installations to allowlisted extensions only
# Add to Chrome policy file (e.g., policies.json on Linux)

{
  "ExtensionInstallAllowlist": ["known_safe_extension_id"],
  "ExtensionInstallBlocklist": ["*"],
  "DeveloperToolsAvailability": 2
}
# Note: DeveloperToolsAvailability = 2 disables DevTools entirely