CVE-2025-6555 Overview
CVE-2025-6555 is a Use After Free vulnerability in the Animation component of Google Chrome prior to version 138.0.7204.49. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption by convincing a user to visit a specially crafted HTML page. The vulnerability occurs when the browser improperly handles memory during animation processing, leading to conditions where freed memory can be accessed.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause heap corruption through malicious web content, potentially compromising user browser sessions and data.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome versions prior to 138.0.7204.49
- All platforms running vulnerable Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Chromium-based browsers that share the affected Animation component
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-24 - CVE-2025-6555 published to NVD
- 2025-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-6555
Vulnerability Analysis
This Use After Free vulnerability (CWE-416) exists within Google Chrome's Animation handling subsystem. The flaw occurs when the browser processes certain animation-related operations in a crafted HTML page, leading to a scenario where memory is accessed after it has been freed. This type of memory corruption vulnerability can result in heap corruption, which attackers may leverage for code execution or to cause instability in the browser.
The vulnerability requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must navigate to an attacker-controlled or compromised webpage containing the malicious HTML content. Once triggered, the browser's improper memory management during animation processing creates exploitable conditions.
Root Cause
The root cause stems from improper memory lifecycle management in Chrome's Animation component. When handling specific animation sequences or properties, the browser fails to properly track object references, resulting in a dangling pointer condition. When subsequent operations attempt to use this freed memory, it can lead to heap corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious HTML page that triggers the vulnerable code path in Chrome's Animation component. The attack scenario typically involves:
- Attacker creates a webpage with crafted HTML/JavaScript that manipulates animation properties
- Victim visits the malicious page through social engineering, phishing, or compromised legitimate sites
- Chrome's Animation component processes the crafted content, triggering the Use After Free condition
- Memory corruption occurs, potentially allowing the attacker to control execution flow
The vulnerability is exploitable through the network without requiring authentication or privileges on the target system.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6555
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Chrome browser crashes or instability, particularly when visiting unfamiliar websites
- Crash reports referencing Animation-related components in Chrome
- Unusual memory consumption patterns in Chrome processes
- Browser process termination with heap corruption signatures
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Chrome browser version inventory across endpoints to identify systems running versions prior to 138.0.7204.49
- Deploy endpoint detection rules that alert on Chrome crashes with heap corruption indicators
- Implement web filtering to block known malicious domains attempting to exploit browser vulnerabilities
- Review browser crash telemetry for patterns indicating exploitation attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Chrome's built-in crash reporting and monitor for Animation-related crash signatures
- Implement SentinelOne's browser protection capabilities to detect anomalous browser behavior
- Monitor network traffic for connections to newly registered or suspicious domains that may host exploit content
- Review endpoint logs for repeated browser crashes from specific users or machines
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6555
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 138.0.7204.49 or later immediately across all endpoints
- Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely deployment of security patches
- Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites, especially those received via unsolicited links
- Consider deploying browser isolation solutions for high-risk users until patching is complete
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 138.0.7204.49, released on June 24, 2025. The fix properly manages memory lifecycle in the Animation component to prevent Use After Free conditions. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome installations to this version or later.
For detailed patch information, refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement. Additional technical details may be available at the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Workarounds
- Deploy web content filtering to block access to known malicious sites hosting browser exploits
- Consider using browser isolation technology for users who cannot be immediately patched
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential browser compromise
- Disable JavaScript execution on untrusted sites through Chrome policies as a temporary measure (may impact functionality)
# Chrome Enterprise policy to force automatic updates
# Windows Registry configuration
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v "AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes" /t REG_DWORD /d 60 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v "UpdateDefault" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
