CVE-2022-3314 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in Google Chrome versions prior to 106.0.5249.62. The flaw exists within the logging component of the browser and can be exploited by a remote attacker who has already compromised a WebUI process. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an attacker to perform a sandbox escape by leveraging a crafted HTML page. A use-after-free (CWE-416) vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or other unintended behavior. In this case, the attacker must first gain control over a WebUI process, which is a privileged internal browser process responsible for rendering certain internal pages. By exploiting this vulnerability, the attacker can break out of the sandbox environment that normally restricts the browser’s capabilities, thereby gaining elevated privileges on the host system. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), and impacts integrity (I:H) without affecting confidentiality or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches are linked in the provided data, though Google Chrome 106.0.5249.62 and later versions presumably contain the fix. This vulnerability is significant because sandbox escapes undermine one of the core security mechanisms of modern browsers, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system beyond the browser sandbox restrictions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to endpoints running vulnerable versions of Google Chrome. Since Chrome is widely used across enterprises and public institutions in Europe, a successful sandbox escape could allow attackers to escalate privileges on user machines, potentially leading to lateral movement within corporate networks or the deployment of persistent malware. The requirement for user interaction (e.g., visiting a malicious web page) means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to trigger exploitation. The integrity impact is high, as attackers could modify system or application data, but confidentiality and availability impacts are not directly affected by this vulnerability. Organizations handling sensitive data or critical infrastructure should be particularly cautious, as exploitation could facilitate further attacks or data manipulation. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, though proactive patching remains essential.

European organizations should ensure that all Google Chrome installations are updated to version 106.0.5249.62 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. Given the lack of direct patch links, organizations should rely on official Google Chrome update channels or enterprise management tools to deploy updates promptly. Additionally, organizations should implement strict web filtering and phishing detection to reduce the likelihood of users visiting malicious web pages that could trigger exploitation. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous sandbox escape attempts or unusual process behavior can provide additional defense layers. User education on the risks of interacting with suspicious web content is also critical. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any compromised endpoint. Finally, monitoring for unusual browser or system activity following updates can help identify attempted exploitation attempts.