CVE-2024-0517 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the V8 JavaScript engine component of Google Chrome versions prior to 120.0.6099.224. The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), which occurs when the software writes data outside the boundaries of allocated memory. This flaw can be triggered remotely by an attacker who crafts a malicious HTML page that, when loaded by a vulnerable Chrome browser, causes heap corruption. Heap corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including crashes, data corruption, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires no privileges (PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), meaning the victim must visit or interact with a malicious web page. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), with network attack vector and low attack complexity. Exploitation could allow remote code execution within the context of the browser process, potentially enabling attackers to bypass security controls, steal sensitive information, or install malware. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability and its presence in a widely used browser make it a significant threat. The vulnerability affects all Chrome users running versions before 120.0.6099.224, emphasizing the importance of timely patching once updates are available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk due to the widespread use of Google Chrome as a primary web browser. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to compromise endpoints, steal sensitive corporate data, or move laterally within networks. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The potential for heap corruption and arbitrary code execution also increases the risk of ransomware deployment or espionage activities. Since exploitation requires user interaction, phishing campaigns or malicious web advertisements could be leveraged to trigger the vulnerability. The impact extends beyond individual users to organizational IT infrastructure, potentially disrupting business operations and causing reputational damage. Given the high severity and the critical role of browsers in daily operations, European organizations must prioritize mitigation to reduce exposure.

1. Immediate deployment of the latest Google Chrome update (version 120.0.6099.224 or later) across all organizational devices is essential to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement browser security policies that restrict or monitor the execution of JavaScript from untrusted or unknown websites, including the use of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script sources. 3. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of heap corruption or exploitation attempts. 4. Educate users on the risks of interacting with unsolicited links or suspicious web content to reduce the likelihood of triggering the vulnerability. 5. Utilize network-level web filtering to block access to known malicious sites and employ DNS filtering to prevent resolution of malicious domains. 6. Monitor security advisories from Google and related threat intelligence feeds for updates on exploit availability and additional mitigation strategies. 7. Consider sandboxing or isolating browser processes where feasible to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 8. Conduct regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify and remediate any residual risks related to browser vulnerabilities.