CVE-2022-3039 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability found in the WebSQL component of Google Chrome versions prior to 105.0.5195.52. This vulnerability arises when Chrome improperly manages memory related to WebSQL operations, leading to a use-after-free condition. Specifically, a remote attacker can craft a malicious HTML page that triggers heap corruption by exploiting this flaw. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without requiring any privileges, but it does require user interaction, such as visiting a malicious webpage. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise or data theft. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free), a common and dangerous memory corruption issue. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported at the time of publication, the nature of the vulnerability and its ease of exploitation make it a significant threat. The vulnerability affects all Chrome versions before 105.0.5195.52, and users are strongly advised to update to the patched version to mitigate risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk due to the widespread use of Google Chrome as a primary web browser across enterprises and public sectors. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, and disruption of services. Confidential corporate data, intellectual property, and personal information of employees and customers could be compromised. Given the high integration of web-based applications in European businesses, a successful attack could facilitate lateral movement within networks, escalate privileges, and enable further exploitation. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious website) means phishing campaigns or malicious advertisements could be effective attack vectors. Additionally, critical infrastructure and government entities relying on Chrome for daily operations could face operational disruptions or espionage attempts. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as threat actors may develop exploits rapidly once a vulnerability is disclosed.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching by upgrading all Chrome installations to version 105.0.5195.52 or later. Beyond patching, organizations should implement robust web filtering to block access to known malicious sites and employ advanced endpoint protection capable of detecting exploitation attempts targeting browser vulnerabilities. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of interacting with unsolicited links or suspicious websites to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Network segmentation can limit the impact of a compromised endpoint. Additionally, organizations should monitor browser behavior for anomalies indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected crashes or unusual memory usage. Employing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can reduce the risk of malicious script execution. Finally, maintaining an up-to-date inventory of browser versions across the organization will help ensure compliance with patching policies.