CVE-2025-14765 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the WebGPU implementation of Google Chrome prior to version 143.0.7499.147. WebGPU is a web standard that provides modern graphics and compute capabilities to web applications, and it operates at a low level with direct access to GPU resources. The vulnerability arises when the browser incorrectly manages memory, freeing an object while it is still accessible, leading to a use-after-free condition. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers the use-after-free, causing heap corruption. This corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the browser process, potentially allowing full compromise of the user's browsing session, data theft, or further system exploitation. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication but does require the victim to visit a malicious or compromised website, meaning user interaction is necessary. Although no public exploits have been observed, the Chromium security team has rated this vulnerability as high severity due to the potential impact and ease of exploitation. The vulnerability affects all platforms running the vulnerable Chrome versions, which are widely deployed globally, including across Europe. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, but the nature of the vulnerability and its potential consequences warrant urgent attention and remediation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Google Chrome as the primary web browser. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution within the browser context, enabling attackers to steal sensitive information such as credentials, session tokens, or intellectual property. It could also serve as a foothold for further network penetration or lateral movement within corporate environments. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure are particularly vulnerable given their reliance on secure web communications and the high value of their data. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious page) means phishing or drive-by download attacks could be effective vectors. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity rating indicates that exploitation could become widespread if patches are not applied promptly. Additionally, the use-after-free nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation could lead to browser crashes and denial of service, impacting availability of critical web services.

European organizations should immediately update all instances of Google Chrome to version 143.0.7499.147 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. Automated patch management systems should be leveraged to ensure rapid deployment across all endpoints. Network security teams should monitor for unusual web traffic patterns and potentially block access to suspicious or untrusted websites that could host malicious HTML content exploiting this flaw. Employing browser security features such as sandboxing, strict content security policies (CSP), and disabling unnecessary WebGPU features can reduce the attack surface. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of visiting untrusted websites and clicking on unknown links. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should be tuned to detect anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. For high-risk environments, consider implementing network-level web filtering and restricting browser extensions that could facilitate exploitation. Finally, maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to stay informed about any emerging exploits targeting this vulnerability.