CVE-2025-7657 is a high-severity use-after-free vulnerability identified in the WebRTC component of Google Chrome versions prior to 138.0.7204.157. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a widely used technology that enables peer-to-peer audio, video, and data sharing directly between browsers without requiring plugins. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management where a previously freed object is accessed, leading to heap corruption. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers the use-after-free condition when loaded by a vulnerable Chrome browser. This can result in arbitrary code execution, allowing the attacker to run code in the context of the browser process. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with an attack vector that requires no privileges (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requires user interaction (UI:R) such as visiting a malicious webpage. The impact covers confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the browser environment. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely deployed browser component makes it a significant risk. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on July 15, 2025, and affects all Chrome versions before 138.0.7204.157, emphasizing the need for prompt patching.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-7657 can be substantial. Google Chrome is one of the most widely used browsers across Europe in both enterprise and consumer environments. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to data breaches, espionage, or disruption of services. Sensitive information accessed through the browser, including corporate credentials, confidential communications, and access to internal web applications, could be compromised. Additionally, since WebRTC is often used in real-time communication tools and conferencing platforms, exploitation could disrupt business communications or be leveraged to pivot further into internal networks. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious webpage) means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to target employees. Given the high integration of Chrome in European digital infrastructure, especially in sectors like finance, government, and critical infrastructure, the threat poses a risk to operational continuity and data protection compliance under regulations such as GDPR.

European organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Chrome browsers to version 138.0.7204.157 or later. Beyond applying the official update, organizations should implement network-level protections such as web filtering to block access to known malicious sites and employ advanced threat detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting WebRTC vulnerabilities. User awareness training should be enhanced to reduce the risk of phishing attacks that might lure users to malicious pages. Where feasible, organizations can consider disabling or restricting WebRTC functionality within Chrome via group policies or browser configurations, especially on systems handling sensitive data. Monitoring browser telemetry and logs for unusual behavior related to memory corruption or crashes can help detect exploitation attempts early. Additionally, employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying exploitation techniques related to use-after-free vulnerabilities will strengthen defense-in-depth.