CVE-2025-12434 is a race condition vulnerability identified in Google Chrome on Windows platforms prior to version 142.0.7444.59. The vulnerability is rooted in the browser's storage subsystem, where a race condition allows a remote attacker to manipulate the timing of storage operations during specific user interface (UI) gestures. By crafting a malicious HTML page and convincing a user to perform these gestures, the attacker can induce UI spoofing—altering the appearance of the browser interface to mislead the user. This spoofing can be used to mimic legitimate UI elements, potentially tricking users into divulging sensitive information or performing unintended actions. The attack requires user interaction, specifically engaging in the crafted UI gestures, and does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation. No known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved on October 28, 2025, and published on November 10, 2025, with no CVSS score assigned yet. The Chromium security team has classified the severity as medium. The flaw affects Chrome on Windows, which is widely used across enterprise and consumer environments. The absence of a patch link suggests that the fix is included in Chrome version 142.0.7444.59, and users should upgrade to this or later versions to mitigate the risk.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily through UI spoofing attacks that can facilitate phishing and social engineering campaigns. While it does not directly compromise system confidentiality or integrity, successful exploitation can lead to credential theft, unauthorized transactions, or malware installation if users are deceived by the spoofed UI. Organizations with large numbers of Windows users running outdated Chrome versions are particularly vulnerable. Sectors such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure, where trust in browser UI is essential, may face increased risks. The need for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments with high user exposure to web content. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not preclude future attacks. Failure to update Chrome promptly could result in targeted attacks leveraging this vulnerability.

1. Immediately update all Google Chrome installations on Windows to version 142.0.7444.59 or later to apply the fix addressing the race condition. 2. Implement enterprise-wide browser update policies to ensure timely patch deployment and prevent use of vulnerable versions. 3. Educate users about the risks of interacting with suspicious web pages and performing unusual UI gestures, emphasizing caution with unexpected prompts or UI changes. 4. Deploy browser security extensions or policies that restrict or monitor UI manipulations and scripting behaviors that could facilitate spoofing. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous browser behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct phishing awareness campaigns tailored to highlight UI spoofing risks. 7. For high-risk environments, consider application whitelisting or sandboxing to limit the impact of potential browser-based attacks. 8. Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability to adjust defenses accordingly.