CVE-2025-1704 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability identified in the ComponentInstaller module of Google ChromeOS version 15823.23.0, specifically affecting Chromebooks. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management within the ComponentInstaller, which is responsible for managing software components on ChromeOS devices. Exploitation of this flaw allows an enrolled user with local access to a Chromebook to unenroll the device from enterprise management and intercept device management requests. This is achieved by loading components from the unencrypted stateful partition, which should normally be protected. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require local privileges (PR:L) to execute. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), and no impact on confidentiality or integrity, but a high impact on availability (A:H). The CWE classification is CWE-416, which corresponds to use-after-free errors, a common memory corruption issue that can lead to crashes or arbitrary code execution. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk to managed ChromeOS devices, particularly in enterprise environments where device enrollment and management are critical for security compliance and policy enforcement. The ability to unenroll devices and intercept management traffic could allow attackers to bypass security controls, disable device monitoring, and potentially introduce malicious components or configurations.

For European organizations, especially those using Chromebooks in enterprise or educational settings, this vulnerability could undermine device management and security policies. The ability for a local attacker to unenroll a device from management could lead to loss of control over device configurations, security updates, and compliance enforcement. Intercepting device management requests could allow attackers to manipulate or block policy updates, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further compromise. This is particularly concerning for sectors with strict regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions in Europe. The impact on availability (denial of service or device misconfiguration) could disrupt business operations or educational activities. Since the vulnerability requires local access and enrolled user privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where devices are shared, lost, or physically accessible to malicious insiders or unauthorized personnel.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating ChromeOS devices to patched versions once available from Google, as no patch links are currently provided. In the interim, organizations should enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to Chromebooks. Limiting enrollment privileges and ensuring that only trusted users have local access can reduce exploitation risk. Additionally, organizations should monitor device enrollment status and management logs for unusual unenrollment activities or anomalies in device management traffic. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions tailored for ChromeOS, if available, can help detect exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and restricting access to device management servers can further reduce the risk of intercepted management requests. Finally, educating users about the importance of device security and reporting lost or stolen devices promptly will help mitigate risks associated with local access attacks.