CVE-2022-0609

Overview

Google recently discovered and disclosed an exploitable vulnerability in Chromium, which is the codebase that provides the vast majority of code for the Google Chrome browser. The vulnerability, which is identified as CVE-2022-0609, was reported by members of Google's Threat Analysis Group. It exists in the Animation component of Chromium and can be exploited with a malcrafted webpage. Successful exploitation may enable the attacker to compromise data on a vulnerable device.

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Lookout Analysis

Google has noted that there are already exploits for this vulnerability in the wild on Chrome for desktop, which explains the rapid turnaround from reporting the vulnerability to releasing an app update. In addition to the known exploit that can affect desktop platforms, Lookout sees evidence that indicates that this vulnerability also affects the Android version of Chrome. Every user should update to the latest version of Chrome for Android available now on Google Play, 98.0.4758.101. In addition, United States Federal entities should heed CISA’s requirement to have it patched by March 1st, 2022.

The most likely way for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability would be to send a link leading to a malcrafted webpage to their target in hopes that the target still has a vulnerable version of Chrome on their device. A successful exploit may grant a threat actor access to Chrome's capabilities without needing to root the device. Mobile device management (MDM) tools will not detect a successful exploitation. In the event of a successful exploit, the actor could have access to any capability that the browser has. This includes access to the camera and microphone, location data, browsing history and more.