CVE-2025-10502: Google Chrome Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-10502 Overview

A heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine) component of Google Chrome prior to version 140.0.7339.185. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via malicious network traffic. ANGLE is a critical graphics abstraction layer used by Chrome to translate OpenGL ES API calls to platform-specific graphics APIs like DirectX, Metal, or Vulkan.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can potentially achieve arbitrary code execution by exploiting heap corruption through specially crafted network traffic targeting the ANGLE graphics rendering component.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 140.0.7339.185
• Google Chrome on Apple macOS
• Google Chrome on Linux
• Google Chrome on Microsoft Windows

Discovery Timeline

• September 24, 2025 - CVE-2025-10502 published to NVD
• September 25, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-10502

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), a memory corruption issue occurring when data is written beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory. In the context of ANGLE, this overflow can be triggered during the processing of graphics-related operations when Chrome renders web content.

The heap buffer overflow in ANGLE represents a particularly dangerous class of vulnerability because graphics rendering operations are performed frequently during normal browsing activities. When processing malicious network traffic, the ANGLE component fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for further exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper bounds checking within the ANGLE graphics abstraction layer. When processing certain graphics operations received via network traffic, the component allocates a heap buffer but fails to adequately validate the size or content of incoming data before writing to memory. This oversight allows data to overflow beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent heap memory structures.

Attack Vector

The attack requires user interaction where a victim must visit a malicious website or be served malicious content through a compromised advertisement or other web delivery mechanism. The attacker crafts network traffic containing malformed graphics data designed to trigger the buffer overflow during ANGLE's rendering process. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker may achieve heap corruption which could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the Chrome renderer process.

The network-based attack vector combined with the user interaction requirement means exploitation typically occurs through:

• Malicious websites hosting specially crafted WebGL or Canvas content
• Compromised advertisements leveraging graphics APIs
• Drive-by download scenarios targeting vulnerable Chrome installations

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10502

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected Chrome renderer process crashes with heap corruption signatures
• Anomalous network traffic patterns involving malformed graphics data
• Chrome crash reports indicating ANGLE-related memory violations
• Unusual memory allocation patterns in Chrome processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome crash reports specifically mentioning ANGLE or graphics subsystem failures
• Implement network inspection for malformed WebGL or graphics-related payload patterns
• Deploy endpoint detection for heap corruption indicators in Chrome processes
• Enable Chrome's built-in crash reporting and analyze for exploitation patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for Chrome browser processes across the enterprise
• Monitor network traffic for connections to known malicious domains serving graphics exploits
• Track Chrome version deployment to identify systems running vulnerable versions
• Implement browser-level telemetry to detect unusual renderer process behavior

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10502

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 140.0.7339.185 or later immediately
• Enable automatic updates for Chrome to ensure timely security patches
• Audit enterprise environments for Chrome installations below the patched version
• Consider implementing browser isolation for high-risk users until patching is complete

Patch Information

Google has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Chrome version 140.0.7339.185. The patch is available for all supported platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this update given the network-accessible attack vector.

For detailed patch information, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Channel Update. Additional technical details are available at Chromium Issue Tracker #438038775.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to untrusted websites through web filtering solutions
• Disable WebGL in Chrome settings (chrome://flags/#disable-webgl) if graphics functionality is not required
• Implement network-level filtering to block known malicious traffic patterns
• Use browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation attempts

# Verify Chrome version and update status
# On Windows (PowerShell)
(Get-Item "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion

# On macOS
/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --version

# On Linux
google-chrome --version

# Force Chrome update check
# Navigate to chrome://settings/help in the browser