Overview
CVE-2025-13632 identifies a high-severity vulnerability affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 143.0.7499.41. This vulnerability resides within the DevTools component and stems from an inappropriate implementation that could allow a malicious actor to bypass the Chrome sandbox. The exploit requires a user to be convinced to install a crafted, malicious Chrome Extension. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to execute code outside the intended security boundaries of the Chrome sandbox.
Technical Details
The vulnerability lies in the handling of specific operations within Chrome DevTools. A crafted Chrome Extension, when installed and executed, can leverage weaknesses in how DevTools interacts with the browser’s internal components. This allows the extension to break out of its isolated sandbox environment and potentially gain elevated privileges or access to sensitive system resources. The specific mechanisms used to achieve this sandbox escape are detailed within the Chromium bug report (see references).
CVSS Analysis
Currently, a CVSS score is not available for CVE-2025-13632. However, Google has classified this as a “High” severity issue. This implies that the potential impact of successful exploitation is significant, warranting immediate attention and patching. Once a CVSS score is published, this section will be updated.
Possible Impact
A successful sandbox escape via CVE-2025-13632 could have serious consequences:
- Code Execution: An attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code on the user’s system.
- Data Theft: Sensitive data, such as cookies, browsing history, and stored credentials, could be stolen.
- System Compromise: In the worst-case scenario, the attacker could gain complete control of the user’s machine.
- Lateral Movement: In a corporate environment, a compromised system could be used as a springboard to attack other systems on the network.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The primary mitigation step is to update Google Chrome to version 143.0.7499.41 or later. Google has released a patch that addresses this vulnerability. Chrome typically updates automatically, but users can manually check for updates by going to chrome://settings/help in the address bar.
Additionally, users should exercise caution when installing Chrome Extensions. Only install extensions from trusted sources and carefully review the permissions requested by each extension.
