CVE-2025-12443 Overview
CVE-2025-12443 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the WebXR component of Google Chrome. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 142.0.7444.59 across Windows, macOS, and Linux. A remote attacker can trigger the condition by convincing a user to load a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation results in reading memory outside the allocated buffer, which can expose sensitive process data. The Chromium project classifies the security severity as Medium, and the issue is tracked as [CWE-125].
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can read out-of-bounds memory in the Chrome renderer through a crafted web page, potentially disclosing sensitive process memory to an attacker-controlled origin.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome prior to 142.0.7444.59 on Microsoft Windows
- Google Chrome prior to 142.0.7444.59 on Apple macOS
- Google Chrome prior to 142.0.7444.59 on Linux
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-10 - CVE-2025-12443 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-12443
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's WebXR implementation, the browser API that exposes virtual and augmented reality device data to web content. WebXR handles pose, projection, and controller buffers that originate from untrusted JavaScript and native XR runtimes. A missing or incorrect bounds check permits the renderer to read past the end of an allocated buffer. The read data can then be reflected back to the attacker through observable JavaScript state such as typed arrays, canvas pixels, or timing side channels. The classification [CWE-125] identifies this as an out-of-bounds read rather than a memory-corruption write, which limits impact to confidentiality.
Root Cause
The defect stems from improper validation of index or size values used when accessing WebXR buffers inside the Chrome renderer process. When a crafted HTML page invokes WebXR APIs with unexpected parameters, the code path reads memory adjacent to the intended object. Because Chrome runs WebXR logic in the sandboxed renderer, the disclosed bytes are constrained to that process, but they can still include tokens, addresses useful for ASLR bypass, or content from other origins under specific conditions.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires user interaction. A victim must visit an attacker-controlled or compromised page that loads JavaScript invoking the vulnerable WebXR entry points. No authentication or elevated privilege is required on the target system. The attacker delivers the crafted content over the network, typically through phishing, malvertising, or a watering-hole page. No public proof-of-concept or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The current EPSS probability is 0.217%.
No verified public exploit code exists for this issue. Technical specifics remain restricted in the Chromium Issue #452071845 tracker pending broader patch adoption.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12443
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome browser processes running versions earlier than 142.0.7444.59 on managed endpoints.
- Outbound connections from browsers to unfamiliar domains hosting WebXR content (navigator.xr API calls) without a business justification.
- Renderer process crashes referencing WebXR modules in Chrome crash telemetry.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions using endpoint management tooling and flag hosts below 142.0.7444.59.
- Inspect browser telemetry and crash reports for renderer faults associated with the WebXR device or session code paths.
- Correlate web proxy logs for user visits to pages that request WebXR permissions from low-reputation domains.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on Chrome update failures or systems that have not restarted the browser within the patch window.
- Monitor for the addition of unusual Chrome command-line flags that enable experimental WebXR features on production endpoints.
- Track browser extension inventories for tools that inject or intercept WebXR API calls.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12443
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 142.0.7444.59 or later on Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
- Force browser restarts through enterprise policy to ensure the patched binary is loaded.
- Verify Chromium-based derivatives (Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi) have picked up the corresponding upstream fix.
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel on 2025-10-28. Refer to the Google Chrome Desktop Update advisory for release details and to Chromium Issue #452071845 for the tracking bug.
Workarounds
- Disable WebXR through the enterprise policy WebXRImmersiveArEnabled and by blocking the xr-spatial-tracking permissions policy until patching completes.
- Restrict Chrome access to WebXR-capable hardware by policy on devices without VR/AR use cases.
- Enforce a browser allowlist that prevents navigation to untrusted external sites for high-risk user populations.
# Windows Group Policy registry example to disable WebXR immersive AR
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v WebXRImmersiveArEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux endpoints
google-chrome --version | awk '{print $3}'
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
