Update your Chromium-based browser to protect yourself online.
It’s time for another Chrome update, and even if Chrome isn’t your preferred browser, updating it could still be crucial. Depending on your web browsing habits, you may be vulnerable to a recently discovered zero-day vulnerability. Stay secure by ensuring your browser is up to date.
What’s going on with the latest Google Chrome update?
The most recent Google Chrome update, specifically version 120.0.6099.129 for Mac and Linux, and versions 120.0.6099.129/130 for Windows, addresses a single security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-7024. Despite the seemingly limited scope, it’s crucial not to overlook this update. CVE-2023-7024 pertains to a heap buffer overflow within WebRTC, a platform facilitating communication features such as video and audio without the need for plugins. Exploiting this flaw could grant bad actors arbitrary code execution, essentially allowing them to take control of the system—a concerning prospect.
Prompt patching is always essential when addressing discovered vulnerabilities. However, CVE-2023-7024 demands immediate attention as it qualifies as a zero-day vulnerability. This designation indicates that malicious actors are already aware of and have exploited the flaw. Google acknowledged this in its blog post, confirming the existence of an in-the-wild exploit for this specific vulnerability.
With zero-day vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-7024, users running versions of the software prior to the patch are susceptible to exploitation. While the extent of the flaw’s exploitation and its prevalence remain unclear, it is imperative to update your browser promptly to mitigate potential risks.
Given that this vulnerability impacts Chrome, it also extends to Chromium, the underlying platform on which Chrome is constructed. Consequently, any browser utilizing Chromium—such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera—must promptly update to safeguard against this zero-day vulnerability.
How to update Google Chrome to patch this zero-day flaw
To manually update Chrome, click on the three-dot menu located in the upper-right corner of your window, then select Help > About Google Chrome. Permit Chrome to search for a new update. Once found, follow the on-screen instructions to install the update and relaunch the browser.