Introduction
Remote attackers can exploit heap corruption in Google Chrome through a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or browser crashes. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-10501, affects Chrome's WebRTC component and has a CVSS score of 8.8, which rates as high severity. Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, so flaws in its core components hit individuals and organizations especially hard.
Technical Information
CVE-2025-10501 is a use after free vulnerability (CWE-416) in the WebRTC component of Google Chrome. WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) enables real-time peer-to-peer features such as video calls and file sharing directly in the browser. The vulnerability occurs when the WebRTC implementation keeps using a memory location after that memory has been freed. An attacker can trigger this unsafe access while Chrome handles a real-time communication session, using crafted HTML and JavaScript that manipulates WebRTC state transitions.
When a user visits a malicious website, the attacker's JavaScript can interact with WebRTC objects so that the browser frees certain memory but keeps references to it. Later operations may then access the freed memory and corrupt the heap. Depending on heap layout and timing, this can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox or crash the application. The vulnerability is network exploitable and requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious site. The researcher 'sherkito' discovered the flaw, disclosed it responsibly to Google, and received a $10,000 bounty.
Patch Information
Google's latest Chrome Stable Channel Update (version 140.0.7339.185/.186) fixes several critical security vulnerabilities, including CVE-2025-10501, the use after free in WebRTC. This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service.
The patch changes the WebRTC component so that objects are managed and released correctly and are not deallocated too early. Google has not published the exact code changes, to protect users, but the update effectively mitigates the risk from this vulnerability.
Users should update Chrome to version 140.0.7339.185/.186 or later to get these fixes.
Patch sources:
Detection Methods
The provided sources do not describe detection methods specific to CVE-2025-10501, a use after free issue in WebRTC. Detecting a vulnerability like this one takes several general strategies used together:
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Run vulnerability scanners. Tools such as Nessus can identify known vulnerabilities by scanning systems for outdated software versions. Tenable, for example, offers plugins relevant to CVE-2025-10501 that detect vulnerabilities in software like Chromium and Microsoft Edge. Keep these scanners updated and run them regularly so they catch vulnerabilities in time.
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Monitor system logs and network traffic. Logs and network activity can reveal anomalies that point to exploitation attempts. Unusual patterns, such as unexpected memory access errors or crashes, may signal an attempt to exploit a use after free vulnerability.
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Implement Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP). RASP solutions monitor applications in real time, analyze their behavior for deviations from normal operation, and detect and block exploitation attempts.
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Use fuzz testing. Fuzzing feeds unexpected or random data into a program to uncover vulnerabilities. Tools like HGFuzzer use large language models to generate targeted test cases for directed greybox fuzzing, which makes them efficient at finding vulnerabilities. (arxiv.org)
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Use binary analysis tools. Tools such as VulCatch improve binary vulnerability detection by decompiling code and extracting advanced features, which helps identify complex vulnerabilities without relying on source code. (arxiv.org)
Detection sources:
Affected Systems and Versions
- Google Chrome versions prior to 140.0.7339.185 are affected on Linux
- Google Chrome versions prior to 140.0.7339.185 or 140.0.7339.186 are affected on Windows and macOS
- The vulnerability specifically impacts the WebRTC component
- Any configuration using unpatched Chrome with WebRTC enabled is vulnerable
Vendor Security History
Google Chrome has a history of vulnerabilities in complex components like WebRTC. Earlier use after free issues have been reported and patched in WebRTC and related browser subsystems. Google often releases fixes within days of disclosure and runs a well-established bug bounty program. It also uses advanced internal tools for memory safety and works with external researchers to find and fix vulnerabilities.
