CVE-2022-3055 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability affecting Google Chrome versions prior to 105.0.5195.52. The flaw resides in the Passwords component of the browser, where improper memory management leads to a use-after-free condition. Specifically, an attacker can craft a malicious HTML page that, when visited by a user and combined with specific user interface interactions, triggers heap corruption. This corruption can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code remotely, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The vulnerability requires no privileges and no prior authentication, but does require user interaction to visit the malicious page and perform certain UI actions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of remote exploitation over the network. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk, especially given Chrome's widespread use. The underlying weakness is classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free), a common and dangerous memory corruption issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution if exploited successfully.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-3055 can be substantial. Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers across Europe in both enterprise and consumer environments. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including passwords and other credentials managed by the browser, resulting in potential data breaches. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely could allow attackers to install malware, pivot within networks, or exfiltrate data, severely affecting business operations and data privacy compliance obligations such as GDPR. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be leveraged to trigger the exploit, increasing the risk to organizations with less mature security awareness programs. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used as an initial access vector in multi-stage attacks targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, or government entities within Europe, amplifying its potential impact.

To mitigate CVE-2022-3055 effectively, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Immediate deployment of the patched Chrome version 105.0.5195.52 or later across all endpoints to eliminate the vulnerability. 2) Implement strict browser update policies and automated patch management to reduce the window of exposure. 3) Enhance user awareness training focusing on recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious UI interactions that could trigger exploitation. 4) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behaviors indicative of heap corruption or exploitation attempts. 5) Utilize browser security features such as site isolation, sandboxing, and strict content security policies to limit the impact of malicious web content. 6) Monitor network traffic and endpoint logs for indicators of compromise related to Chrome exploitation attempts. 7) For high-risk environments, consider restricting access to untrusted websites or deploying web filtering solutions to block potentially malicious content. These measures, combined with timely patching, will significantly reduce the risk posed by this vulnerability.