CVE-2022-3046 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability identified in Google Chrome versions prior to 105.0.5195.52. The flaw exists within the Browser Tag component of the browser, where improper memory management leads to a use-after-free condition. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker who convinces a user to install a malicious browser extension. Once installed, the attacker can trigger heap corruption by delivering a specially crafted HTML page. The heap corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the browser process, leading to a compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the user's browsing environment. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require user interaction in the form of installing the malicious extension and visiting a crafted webpage. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the low attack complexity and no privileges required. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Google Chrome and the ease of exploitation once the malicious extension is installed.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a critical risk, especially for enterprises relying heavily on Google Chrome as their primary web browser. The ability to execute arbitrary code via a malicious extension and crafted webpage can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and disruption of business operations. Given the high confidentiality and integrity impact, attackers could exfiltrate corporate data, manipulate web sessions, or deploy further malware within the network. The requirement for user interaction (installing a malicious extension) means that social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to facilitate exploitation. This threat is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent data protection requirements under GDPR, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies, where data compromise could result in severe regulatory penalties and reputational damage.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all Google Chrome installations are updated promptly to version 105.0.5195.52 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2) Implement strict browser extension policies using enterprise management tools to restrict installation of extensions to only those vetted and approved by the organization. 3) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted browser extensions and the importance of verifying extension sources. 4) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking malicious extensions and suspicious browser behaviors. 5) Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts involving crafted HTML pages. 6) Integrate browser security configurations with broader organizational security policies, including multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles, to reduce the impact of potential browser compromises.