CVE-2026-2321 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Ozone component of Google Chrome prior to version 145.0.7632.45. Ozone is a platform abstraction layer used by Chromium to interface with different windowing systems and input devices. The vulnerability arises when a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTML page that triggers specific user interface gestures, leading to a use-after-free condition. This memory corruption flaw can cause heap corruption, which attackers might leverage to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by crashing the browser. Exploitation requires a victim to visit a malicious webpage and perform certain UI interactions, meaning user interaction is necessary but no prior authentication is required. Although no public exploits have been reported, the nature of use-after-free vulnerabilities in browsers makes this a significant risk, as browsers are a common attack vector. The flaw affects all Chrome installations prior to the patched version 145.0.7632.45. The absence of a CVSS score suggests the vulnerability was recently disclosed, but based on the technical details, it poses a considerable threat to browser security and user data integrity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk of remote exploitation leading to potential arbitrary code execution or denial of service on user endpoints running vulnerable Chrome versions. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, disruption of business operations, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks if exploited. Given Chrome's widespread use in Europe for both personal and enterprise environments, the vulnerability could affect a broad user base. The requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of automated widespread exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially against high-value targets. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, and critical infrastructure, which rely heavily on secure web browsing, could face significant operational and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation.

1. Immediate update of all Google Chrome installations to version 145.0.7632.45 or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement enterprise-wide browser update policies to enforce timely patching and reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. 3. Educate users about the risks of interacting with untrusted or suspicious web content, emphasizing caution with unexpected UI prompts or gestures. 4. Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous browser behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Utilize web filtering and URL reputation services to block access to potentially malicious websites hosting crafted HTML pages. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for signs of exploitation attempts or unusual browser crashes that could indicate attempted attacks. 7. Consider sandboxing or isolating browser processes in high-risk environments to limit the impact of potential exploitation.