CVE-2025-12439 is a vulnerability identified in Google Chrome's App-Bound Encryption feature on Windows platforms prior to version 142.0.7444.59. The flaw arises from an inappropriate implementation of the encryption mechanism designed to isolate app data, which inadvertently allows a local attacker to access sensitive information residing in the process memory. The attack vector requires the attacker to have local access to the victim's machine and the ability to introduce a malicious file that triggers the vulnerability. Once exploited, the attacker can read potentially sensitive data from Chrome's process memory, which may include credentials, tokens, or other confidential information handled by the browser. The vulnerability does not require remote exploitation or user interaction beyond the presence of the malicious file, indicating a moderate ease of exploitation in environments where local access is feasible. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality, with no direct effects on integrity or availability. The flaw was reserved on 2025-10-28 and published on 2025-11-10, with Google having released a fixed version 142.0.7444.59 to address the issue.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to confidentiality, as sensitive information processed by Chrome could be exposed to local attackers. Organizations with shared or multi-user Windows environments, such as corporate offices, educational institutions, or public access terminals, are particularly vulnerable. The ability of an attacker to extract sensitive data from process memory could lead to credential theft, unauthorized access to internal systems, or leakage of proprietary information. Although remote exploitation is not possible, insider threats or malware that gains local foothold could leverage this vulnerability. This risk is heightened in sectors handling sensitive personal data under GDPR, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a patchable flaw necessitates prompt remediation to prevent future exploitation. The impact on system integrity and availability is minimal, but the breach of confidentiality could have significant regulatory and reputational consequences.

The primary mitigation is to update Google Chrome on Windows systems to version 142.0.7444.59 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should enforce automated patch management policies to ensure timely deployment of browser updates. Additionally, restricting local user permissions to prevent unauthorized file execution can reduce the risk of exploitation. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for suspicious file activities and memory access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Educating users about the risks of running untrusted files locally and implementing application whitelisting can further limit attack vectors. For high-security environments, consider isolating browser processes using sandboxing or virtualization technologies to contain potential memory exposure. Regular audits of local access controls and monitoring for insider threats will also help mitigate risk.