CVE-2025-12036: Google Chrome Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2025-12036 Overview

CVE-2025-12036 is a high-severity out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability affecting the V8 JavaScript engine in Google Chrome versions prior to 141.0.7390.122. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to perform out-of-bounds memory access through specially crafted HTML pages, potentially leading to information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, or browser crashes.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by enticing users to visit a malicious webpage containing crafted JavaScript, potentially gaining unauthorized memory access and compromising system integrity.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 141.0.7390.122
• Google Chrome on Microsoft Windows (all supported versions)
• Google Chrome on Apple macOS (all supported versions)
• Google Chrome on Linux (all supported versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-11-06 - CVE-2025-12036 published to NVD
• 2025-11-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-12036

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read), occurring within the V8 JavaScript engine that powers Google Chrome's JavaScript execution capabilities. V8 is responsible for compiling and executing JavaScript code, making it a critical component of the browser's functionality and a high-value target for attackers.

The out-of-bounds memory access occurs when V8 improperly handles certain memory operations during JavaScript execution. When processing maliciously crafted JavaScript code embedded within an HTML page, the engine can be tricked into reading or accessing memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This allows attackers to potentially read sensitive data from adjacent memory regions or corrupt memory in ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

The attack requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must navigate to an attacker-controlled or compromised webpage. Once the malicious page is loaded, the crafted JavaScript executes automatically, triggering the vulnerability without any additional user action.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient bounds checking within V8's memory handling routines. When the JavaScript engine processes certain operations, it fails to properly validate that memory access requests fall within the allocated bounds of the target buffer. This allows crafted input to trigger memory reads or writes at unintended memory locations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability through the following attack scenario:

1. The attacker hosts a malicious HTML page containing specially crafted JavaScript code on a server they control
2. The attacker distributes links to this page via phishing emails, social media, malicious advertisements, or compromised legitimate websites
3. When a victim using a vulnerable version of Google Chrome visits the page, the malicious JavaScript executes
4. The crafted code triggers the out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability in V8
5. Depending on the specific exploitation technique, the attacker may achieve information disclosure, denial of service, or potentially arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox

For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12036

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected Chrome renderer process crashes or memory corruption errors
• Chrome stability issues when visiting specific websites
• Browser console errors related to V8 JavaScript execution failures
• Anomalous JavaScript execution patterns in web traffic logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome crash reports indicating V8-related memory access violations
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify exploitation attempts
• Implement network monitoring to detect connections to known malicious domains distributing exploit code
• Review browser extension and process behavior for signs of post-exploitation activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome's extended crash reporting to capture detailed diagnostic information
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on multiple Chrome crashes from the same endpoint
• Monitor for unusual child process spawning from Chrome renderer processes
• Track browser version compliance across endpoints to identify unpatched installations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12036

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 141.0.7390.122 or later immediately
• Enable automatic updates in Chrome to ensure timely security patches
• Consider implementing browser isolation technologies for high-risk users
• Educate users about phishing attacks that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 141.0.7390.122. Organizations should prioritize updating all Chrome installations to this version or later. The update can be applied through Chrome's built-in update mechanism or through enterprise deployment tools.

For official patch details, refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement.

Workarounds

• Restrict browsing to trusted websites only until patching is complete
• Implement browser isolation solutions to contain potential exploitation
• Consider disabling JavaScript for untrusted sites via Chrome settings or extensions
• Deploy web filtering to block access to known malicious domains

# Verify Chrome version via command line
# macOS/Linux
google-chrome --version

# Windows PowerShell
(Get-Item "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.FileVersion

# Enterprise deployment: Force Chrome update via policy
# Set the minimum required version in Chrome policies
# TargetVersionPrefix: 141.0.7390.122