CVE-2022-2998 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability identified in Google Chrome versions prior to 104.0.5112.101. The flaw resides in the browser creation process, where improper handling of memory leads to a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability can be triggered remotely by an attacker who convinces a user to perform a specific user interface (UI) interaction while visiting a crafted HTML page. Exploiting this vulnerability allows the attacker to cause heap corruption, which can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the browser process. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or prior authentication but does require user interaction, specifically engaging with the crafted UI element. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of remote exploitation. Although no public exploits have been reported in the wild, the potential for exploitation is significant given Chrome's widespread use and the nature of the vulnerability (CWE-416: Use After Free). This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can lead to full compromise of the browser sandbox, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine or steal sensitive information.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-2998 can be substantial. Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers across Europe in both enterprise and consumer environments. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, enabling attackers to bypass browser security mechanisms, steal sensitive corporate data, intercept communications, or deploy malware. This is especially critical for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR regulations, as a breach could lead to significant legal and financial penalties. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are at heightened risk due to the potential for espionage, data theft, or disruption of services. The requirement for user interaction means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to trigger the exploit, increasing the risk vector. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high CVSS score and nature of the vulnerability necessitate urgent patching and awareness efforts.

European organizations should prioritize updating Google Chrome to version 104.0.5112.101 or later, where this vulnerability has been patched. Beyond patching, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Deploy browser security policies that restrict or monitor the execution of untrusted or suspicious web content, including disabling or limiting JavaScript execution where feasible. 2) Enhance user awareness training focused on recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious UI interactions that could trigger such vulnerabilities. 3) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4) Employ network-level protections such as web filtering and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to block access to known malicious sites hosting crafted HTML pages. 5) Implement strict application whitelisting and sandboxing to limit the impact of any successful exploitation. 6) Regularly audit and update browser extensions and plugins to reduce attack surface. These targeted mitigations, combined with timely patching, will significantly reduce the risk posed by CVE-2022-2998.