Chrome Buffer Overflow Flaws Let Hackers Execute Arbitrary Code & Gain System Access

Google has rolled out an urgent security update for its Chrome browser, patching three vulnerabilities—including two critical heap buffer overflow flaws—that could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code and seize control of affected systems.

The update (version 133.0.6943.126/.127 for Windows/Mac and 133.0.6943.126 for Linux) follows the discovery of exploits in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, GPU component, and network stack, underscoring escalating risks to billions of users worldwide.

CVE-2025-0999: Heap Buffer Overflow in V8 JavaScript Engine

This high-severity flaw in Chrome’s V8 engine, reported by researcher Seunghyun Lee (@0x10n) on February 4, 2025, allows attackers to corrupt heap memory via malicious JavaScript execution.

The vulnerability arises when improperly validated input bypasses V8’s memory safeguards, enabling attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions.

Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution (RCE) through crafted web content, bypassing Chrome’s sandbox protections. Google awarded an $11,000 bounty for this discovery, reflecting its criticality.

The V8 engine, responsible for compiling and executing JavaScript, is a frequent target for exploits due to its central role in browser performance.

Attacks leveraging this flaw could silently install malware, steal sensitive data, or hijack user sessions.

CVE-2025-1426: Heap Buffer Overflow in GPU Subsystem

Discovered by researchers “un3xploitable” and “GF” in December 2024, this high-risk vulnerability resides in Chrome’s GPU acceleration framework.

Improper bounds checks during graphics rendering operations allow attackers to flood memory buffers, leading to heap corruption.

Exploiting this flaw could enable attackers to escape Chrome’s sandbox and execute native code with system-level privileges.

GPU-related vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as modern browsers increasingly offload tasks like WebGL and canvas rendering to hardware-accelerated processes.

Google has withheld technical details (TBD) pending broader patch adoption, indicating the exploit’s potential for weaponization.

CVE-2025-1006: Use-After-Free in Network Stack

Reported by Palo Alto Networks’ Tal Keren and team on January 18, 2025, this medium-severity use-after-free flaw occurs when Chrome’s network component fails to manage memory pointers during data transmission cycles.

Attackers could exploit dangling pointers to crash the browser or execute arbitrary code via manipulated network packets.

Although rated lower due to attack complexity, the flaw highlights persistent memory management challenges in Chrome’s networking subsystems.

Google has restricted public access to technical details until most users install the update, a standard practice to prevent reverse-engineering of exploits.

The company emphasized collaboration with external researchers, stating, “These fixes underscore the value of our global security community in identifying risks before they reach users”.

The Chromium team also acknowledged contributions from over a dozen researchers during this development cycle.

Users are urged to immediately update Chrome via Settings > About Chrome or enable automatic updates.

Enterprises should prioritize deploying the patch across managed devices, as buffer overflow exploits are frequently weaponized in targeted attacks.

Security analysts further recommend monitoring network traffic for unexpected script injections or GPU process anomalies.

While no active exploitation has been confirmed, combining these flaws poses a potent threat.

As browser complexity grows, so does the attack surface—making timely updates essential in mitigating risks to personal and organizational security.

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