CVE-2023-5997 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the garbage collection component of Google Chrome prior to version 119.0.6045.159. Use-after-free bugs occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior such as heap corruption. In this case, the vulnerability resides in the garbage collection process, which manages memory cleanup in the browser's JavaScript engine. An attacker can exploit this flaw by delivering a specially crafted HTML page that triggers the use-after-free condition, corrupting the heap memory. This corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the browser, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security restrictions, steal sensitive information, or install malware. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable and requires the victim to visit a malicious webpage, but no prior authentication is needed. Although no active exploits have been reported, the high severity rating by Chromium security indicates a significant risk. The lack of a CVSS score means severity must be inferred from the nature of the vulnerability, its impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the ease of exploitation. Given Chrome's dominant market share in Europe, this vulnerability poses a substantial threat to organizations and individuals alike. The patch addressing this issue was released in Chrome version 119.0.6045.159, and users are strongly advised to update promptly.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-5997 is considerable due to the widespread use of Google Chrome across enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser context, enabling attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive corporate data, or deploy further malware. This could compromise confidentiality by exposing private information, integrity by allowing unauthorized code execution, and availability if the browser or system is destabilized. Given that Chrome is often used to access web-based applications and services, exploitation could serve as an entry point for broader network compromise. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate it, as attackers may develop exploits rapidly following public disclosure. European organizations with high reliance on Chrome for daily operations, especially those in finance, healthcare, and government sectors, face elevated risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or entities within Europe.

Organizations should immediately ensure all instances of Google Chrome are updated to version 119.0.6045.159 or later, as this version contains the patch for CVE-2023-5997. Beyond patching, organizations should implement browser security best practices such as enabling sandboxing features, using browser isolation technologies, and restricting the execution of untrusted web content through content security policies. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help detect anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Network-level protections like web filtering and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to block access to known malicious sites. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of timely software updates. For high-security environments, consider deploying hardened browser configurations or alternative browsers with reduced attack surfaces. Continuous monitoring for unusual browser crashes or memory corruption events can provide early warning of exploitation attempts.