Google Chrome zero-day vulnerabilities: 2025 update

What is a zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome?

A Google Chrome zero-day vulnerability is a security risk within the Google Chrome browser that does not currently have a patch or other fix available. These flaws go undetected during the development process, and threat actors find them before the team at Google does. This means that Google’s developers have to work against the clock to find a solution. In the meantime, threat actors can use the vulnerability to access sensitive information, such as user data or internal operational data. 

Zero-day vulnerabilities can exist in any software or hardware program. The term “zero-day” refers to the number of days that developers have been aware of the security issue.  

What happened with the latest Google Chrome zero-day vulnerabilities? 

In 2024, Google detected and patched several zero-day vulnerabilities within its Chrome browser. While these vulnerabilities were eventually addressed, they could have exposed user data and other sensitive information. Google Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser and is used by 63.6% of internet users globally. This means that millions of people could have been affected by this vulnerability. 

Such vulnerabilities are documented in the CVE database, which tracks notable security risks and system breaches. Developers and IT professionals can reference this database when securing their systems to prevent possible exposures. 

Let’s take a look at some of the latest Chrome zero-day vulnerabilities.

CVE-2024-7965

The CVE-2024-7965 vulnerability was first detected in late July 2024 and patched by the end of August 2024. With this vulnerability, hackers could exploit heap corruption vulnerability in Chrome engine with a specially crafted HTML page. This exploit means hackers could corrupt the browser’s memory system just by sending unwitting users to a malicious website built for this purpose. 

The vulnerability stems from a bug in Google Chrome’s V8 Javascript engine, which causes issues with the allocated memory buffer. When this bug arises, hackers can exploit it for remote code execution. A website targeting this malicious exploit could result in a malware download or other dangerous attacks. 

This vulnerability went beyond Google Chrome to affect all browsers using Chromium, including Microsoft Edge and Opera. Chromium is an open-source project that serves as the foundation for many modern web browsers. 

CVE-2024-7971

The CVE-2024-7971 vulnerability was discovered in August 2024 and was patched shortly thereafter. Like CVE-2024-7965, this exploit enables remote code execution through malicious HTML pages. However, it used JavaScript type confusion rather than heap corruption. 

CVE-2025-2783

CVE-2025-2783 was very sophisticated and presented a significant risk to users. It was detected in March 2025 after a wave of phishing attacks, with necessary security patches released just a few weeks later.

This vulnerability allows hackers to work around Chrome’s sandbox system, which keeps all your tabs, extensions, and plugins separate from each other. Hackers created personalized, malicious phishing links that used this exploit to steal sensitive information from users. These links would launch malicious code remotely, then use the sandbox exploit to remain undetected. 

How can I avoid Chrome zero-day exploits?

Zero-day vulnerabilities go unnoticed until either a hacker exploits them or a security researcher discovers them. Therefore, it is not always possible to avoid them. However, you can take some steps to keep yourself and your data safe if you are targeted by a zero-day exploit. 

• Update your software. Every cybersecurity expert under the sun will tell you that updates are important. Keep your cybersecurity software up to date with the latest editions and patches. When it comes to your protective software, it’s a wise choice to have them on auto-update.
• Control user access. Anyone with a good sense for cybersecurity would make sure that users can only access the parts of a system they need for their task or job. If a hacker were to exploit a vulnerability via a single user’s computer, the damage could be isolated to a single system and may struggle to access other parts of the network. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to limit who has access to your systems. 
• Regularly back your data up. If you have measures in place that back up a network’s data on a regular basis, the damage from a zero-day exploit can be mitigated. Schedule time to back up your most important data to a separate server so you can restore it in the event of a cyberattack. 
• Choose your browser carefully. Instead of choosing the first web browser available to you, find out what the safest browser for your needs is. Unfortunately, even Chrome safe mode won’t help prevent these kinds of attacks. It’s also important to note that Google Chrome isn’t the only browser vulnerable to these zero-day exploits. Many hackers target vulnerabilities in the Chromium code base, which is used by Microsoft Edge and Opera as well. 
• Keep your browser updated. Google patches Chrome zero-day exploits as soon as possible after they’re discovered. Updating your browser to the latest version ensures you’re protected from these security threats. Google Chrome updates automatically, but if you use another browser that relies on Chromium, you may need to conduct manual updates. 
• Use a malware scanner. Many hackers use zero-day exploits to distribute malware without their targets realizing it. Installing a malware scanner on your computer can help you identify and block malware downloads to keep your computer safe in this instance. 
• Stay alert. Zero-day exploits often start with a phishing email or other suspicious activity. Learn how to recognize and avoid the red flags associated with cyber attacks. 

What to do if you have been a victim of a Chrome zero-day vulnerability

It’s important to stay up-to-date with the most recent zero-day vulnerabilities in Chrome and protect yourself if you think you’ve been affected. If you’ve been victimized by a zero-day exploit, here’s what you can do to keep your data safe:

1. 1.Update your browser. As soon as Google releases the patch for the security vulnerability, check to make sure you’re using the latest version of the browser. Google Chrome should update automatically once the patch is ready. 
2. 2.Scan for malware and viruses. Run a scan on your devices to find and remove any hidden malware, viruses, or other dangerous files. 
3. 3.Change your passwords. If hackers targeted your accounts, your passwords could be compromised. Create new, complex passwords across all your accounts that are difficult to guess, and implement multi-factor authentication wherever possible. 
4. 4.Watch for malicious activity. Keep an eye out for activity on your devices that doesn’t look quite right, and seek help from a cybersecurity professional if necessary.