Google has released an urgent update for Chrome users after discovering a high-risk security flaw that could allow hackers to access sensitive information. The tech giant has advised all users to install the latest version of the browser immediately to protect their data.
What’s the risk?
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-5274, is a 'type confusion' bug in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. This flaw could enable cybercriminals to execute malicious code on a victim’s device simply by tricking them into visiting a compromised website.
Who is affected?
All Chrome users on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems are at risk if they haven’t updated to version 125.0.6422.112 or later. Mobile users on Android and iOS should also check for updates.
How to protect yourself
Follow these steps to ensure your browser is secure:
- Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner
- Navigate to 'Help' > 'About Google Chrome'
- The browser will automatically check for updates
- If an update is available, restart Chrome to complete the installation
Google has confirmed this update includes four additional security fixes, though details remain limited to prevent further exploitation.
Why this matters
With over 3 billion users worldwide, Chrome remains the most popular web browser. Security experts warn that unpatched vulnerabilities in such widely-used software can lead to mass cyber attacks.
This marks the sixth zero-day vulnerability addressed by Google this year, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cyber threats.
