CVE-2023-2929 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Google Chrome versions prior to 114.0.5735.90. The flaw is an out-of-bounds write in the Swiftshader component, which is a software rasterizer used by Chrome to render graphics when hardware acceleration is unavailable or disabled. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to craft a malicious HTML page that triggers heap corruption through this out-of-bounds write. Heap corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing the attacker to execute code in the context of the browser process. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or authentication but does require user interaction in the form of visiting a malicious webpage. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction needed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a common memory corruption weakness. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported at the time of publication, the high severity and ease of exploitation make this a critical issue for users running vulnerable Chrome versions. The patch addressing this vulnerability was released in Chrome 114.0.5735.90, and users are strongly advised to update to this or later versions to mitigate the risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Google Chrome as a primary web browser across enterprises and public sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution within the browser context, enabling attackers to bypass security controls, steal sensitive data, or deploy further malware. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, as a breach could lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The attack vector being a crafted webpage means that phishing campaigns or malicious advertisements could serve as delivery mechanisms, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which rely heavily on secure web browsing, could face operational disruptions or data breaches. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious page) means that user awareness and browsing habits are critical factors in risk exposure. However, given the ease of exploitation and the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, the threat is substantial and demands prompt remediation.

1. Immediate update of all Google Chrome installations to version 114.0.5735.90 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement enterprise-wide browser update policies and automated patch management to reduce the window of exposure. 3. Employ web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious or suspicious websites that could host exploit pages. 4. Enhance user awareness training focusing on phishing and safe browsing practices to reduce the risk of user interaction with malicious content. 5. Consider deploying endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. For environments where Swiftshader is used explicitly or hardware acceleration is disabled, evaluate the necessity of this configuration and enable hardware acceleration if possible to reduce reliance on the vulnerable component. 7. Monitor network traffic and browser logs for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Coordinate with IT and security teams to verify that all systems comply with the updated browser version and that legacy or unmanaged devices are also addressed.