Govt Issues Urgent Warning for Google Chrome Users: Critical Security Flaws May Allow Hacker Attack

In a recent cybersecurity bulletin, India’s top cybersecurity body, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), has issued a high-severity warning for millions of users running Google Chrome on desktop systems. This urgent alert comes in response to the discovery of multiple security vulnerabilities in older versions of the browser that could leave systems exposed to cyberattacks and remote code execution.

ALERT⚠️@IndianCERT has reported multiple vulnerabilities in Google Chrome that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system.

Learn more at https://t.co/kJQiu080RB#cybersecurity #DigitalIndia #Chrome pic.twitter.com/U0dpRZh6Vq

— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) February 22, 2024

Who Should Be Concerned?

This warning is directed at all desktop users—whether individuals or organizations—running Google Chrome on Windows, macOS, or Linux.

The following versions are at risk:

Linux: Chrome versions prior to 137.0.7151.55

Windows and macOS: Chrome versions prior to 137.0.7151.55/56

Users operating on these older builds are advised to update immediately to stay protected.

What’s at Stake?

CERT-In has marked these flaws as high-risk due to their potential to cause serious damage. Here’s what makes these vulnerabilities so dangerous:

Use-After-Free bugs found in Compositing and libVPX components

Improperly implemented browser APIs, including:

FileSystemAccess API

Background Fetch API

Messages

Back-Forward Cache (BFCache)

Tab Strip

Out-of-bounds memory writes in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine

If successfully exploited, these weaknesses could allow a remote attacker to:

Crash your browser

Execute malicious code remotely

Disrupt system processes (Denial of Service – DoS)

All of this could happen simply by visiting a maliciously crafted website, making it a severe threat to user data and system integrity.

What Can You Do?

Thankfully, the solution is straightforward: Update Chrome immediately to the latest version provided by Google.

Updating ensures:

Your browser is fortified against known exploits

Attackers can’t use these vulnerabilities as entry points

Your overall cybersecurity posture is improved

To update, open Chrome, go to Settings > Help > About Google Chrome, and the browser will automatically check for and install any available updates. You can also follow the latest updates on the official Chrome blog.

Whether you’re browsing casually or managing critical tasks online, staying a step ahead of cyber threats begins with a simple update. Don’t delay—patch your Chrome browser today and stay secure.