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Google has released a critical security update for the Chrome web browser to fix a high-severity zero-day vulnerability that is being actively exploited by threat actors, marking the fifth such instance this year.
In an ongoing effort to maintain the security and integrity of its widely-used Chrome browser, Google has once again found itself grappling with a zero-day vulnerability that has fallen into the hands of malicious actors. The latest vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-4671, is a “user after free” flaw in the Visuals component responsible for rendering and displaying content within the browser.
Google acknowledged that an exploit for this vulnerability is actively circulating in the wild, though the company refrained from divulging specific details, likely to prevent further exploitation before users can apply the necessary updates. The flaw was discovered and reported to Google by an anonymous security researcher, underscoring the invaluable role that ethical hackers and security researchers play in strengthening cybersecurity defenses.
User after free vulnerabilities can have severe consequences, as they occur when a program continues to access memory that has been freed or deallocated, potentially leading to data corruption, information leaks, or even remote code execution. In the context of a web browser, such vulnerabilities could enable attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the browser, potentially compromising the user’s system or data.
In response to this critical security threat, Google has released updates for Chrome versions 124.0.6367.201/.202 for Mac/Windows and 124.0.6367.201 for Linux. Users on the “Extended Stable” channel will receive the update in version 124.0.6367.201 for Mac and Windows, rolling out in the coming days and weeks. Chrome’s auto-update mechanism should ensure that most users receive the necessary patches promptly, but users can manually verify their version and initiate the update process by navigating to Settings > About Chrome, allowing the update to complete, and then relaunching the browser.
This latest zero-day vulnerability is the fifth such flaw addressed by Google in Chrome since the start of 2024
This latest zero-day vulnerability is the fifth such flaw addressed by Google in Chrome since the start of 2024, following a trio of high-severity vulnerabilities discovered during the March 2024 Pwn2Own hacking contest, as well as two other zero-days earlier in the year. The ongoing discovery and exploitation of these critical flaws underscore the persistent efforts of threat actors to compromise widely-used software platforms and the corresponding vigilance required by vendors to maintain the security and integrity of their products.
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the battle against zero-day vulnerabilities and sophisticated cyber threats will likely intensify. Google’s prompt response to this latest exploit serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust security practices, including regularly applying software updates and exercising caution when browsing the web or engaging with untrusted content.
