CVE-2022-2853 is a high-severity heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the Downloads component of Google Chrome on Android devices, specifically affecting versions prior to 104.0.5112.101. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of heap memory, leading to a buffer overflow condition. An attacker who has already compromised the renderer process—responsible for rendering web content—can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers heap corruption. The heap buffer overflow can result in arbitrary code execution, allowing the attacker to escalate privileges or execute malicious payloads within the context of the browser. The vulnerability is notable because it does not require prior authentication or privileges beyond the ability to induce the user to visit a malicious webpage (user interaction is required). The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. While no known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date, the severity and nature of the vulnerability make it a significant risk, especially given Chrome's widespread use on Android devices worldwide. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds writes, a common and dangerous class of memory corruption bugs. The lack of specified affected versions beyond the Android platform and the absence of patch links in the provided data suggest that organizations should verify their Chrome versions and update promptly to mitigate this risk.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-2853 can be substantial due to the widespread use of Google Chrome on Android devices among employees and customers. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution within the browser context, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, steal sensitive data, or deploy further malware. This is particularly concerning for sectors handling sensitive or regulated data, such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions, where confidentiality and integrity are paramount. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious webpage) means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. Given the high prevalence of Android devices in Europe and the reliance on Chrome as a primary browser, the vulnerability could facilitate targeted attacks against European enterprises, potentially leading to data breaches, disruption of business operations, or compromise of critical infrastructure. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly following public disclosure.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy: 1) Immediate patch management: Ensure all Android devices running Google Chrome are updated to version 104.0.5112.101 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2) Browser policy enforcement: Use enterprise mobility management (EMM) or mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce automatic updates and restrict installation of unapproved applications or browser versions. 3) User awareness training: Educate users about the risks of phishing and the importance of avoiding suspicious links or websites, reducing the likelihood of user interaction exploitation. 4) Network controls: Deploy web filtering and DNS security solutions to block access to known malicious domains and reduce exposure to crafted HTML pages designed to exploit this vulnerability. 5) Monitoring and detection: Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying anomalous browser behavior or exploitation attempts. 6) Incident response readiness: Prepare incident response plans specific to browser-based exploits and ensure rapid containment and remediation capabilities. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on Android-specific Chrome updates, user behavior, and enterprise controls tailored to the threat vector.