Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) Issues High‐Risk Alert on Google Chrome Vulnerabilities

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), India’s cyber-security watchdog, has released a high-severity advisory alerting users of the widely used desktop versions of Google Chrome to several vulnerabilities that could enable remote attackers to run arbitrary code, steal confidential information, or bring down systems. This alert highlights both individual user risk and wider institutional threat exposures, as Chrome is one of the most used browsers in India.

 Its Significance 

• Because the flaws affect the three main operating systems—Windows, macOS, and Linux—the risk is present in a wide range of settings, including homes, workplaces, and educational institutions.
• By merely persuading individuals to click on carefully designed links or webpages, hackers might take advantage of these vulnerabilities and reduce the barrier to extensive attacks.
• A compromised browser can serve as a backdoor to serious privacy and security breaches because Chrome provides the foundation for access to banking, government portals, enterprise systems, and personal data.
• Browser flaws pose systemic dangers to Indian enterprises and vital infrastructure sectors in an era of growing remote work, hybrid offices, and cloud reliance.

 The Affected Versions and the Vulnerabilities

• Type-confusion problems in the V8 JavaScript engine, out-of-bounds memory writes, “use-after-free” scenarios, and denial-of-service vectors are among the vulnerabilities, per CERT-In’s alert (CIVN-2025-0046).
• Chrome versions before 134.0.6998.88/.89 for Mac and Windows and before 134.0.6998.88 for Linux are among those that are impacted.
• The advice cautions that successful exploitation does not require user credentials and can result in remote code execution, data alteration, or service outage.
• Through the Chrome Stable channel, Google has already made stable updates and patches available; timely updating is the main defence.

 Difficulties & Important Points

• Update inertia is a significant problem; many individuals and companies put off updating their browsers, which leaves systems vulnerable for longer.
• Vulnerability surface area is increased by multi-OS environments, legacy devices, and unmanaged endpoints in enterprise networks.
• Despite the availability of fixes, phishing and malicious link tactics continue to be successful due to user education and awareness gaps.
• Compatibility testing frequently results in strictly regulated or postponed upgrade cycles in institutional settings (banks, public utilities, government offices); this leads to windows of vulnerability.
• To prevent supply chain hacks, central cybersecurity authorities, vendors, state governments, and businesses must coordinate quickly.

The Way Ahead

• Every user should verify their Chrome version right away by going to Help About Chrome and making sure it is at least the patched version. Turn on automatic updates.
• Organisations need to keep visibility over endpoint versions, enforce browser update policies, and promptly apply updates.
• Safe browsing techniques, avoiding dubious connections, and incorporating browser security into broader threat-awareness initiatives should be the main focus of cyber-hygiene training.
• To evaluate browser risk exposure and patching gaps, institutions should perform vulnerability audits and penetration testing on their endpoint fleets.
• To simplify browser-security ecosystems, the government and business community should work together to require frequent audits for high-risk industries, provide quick-reaction procedures for new recommendations, and encourage a continual updating and monitoring culture.

The CERT-In warning on vulnerabilities in Google Chrome serves as a sobering reminder that even commonly used, widely regarded programs can pose serious threats. Because Chrome is so widely used in India, the effects of exploitation are systemic rather than just personal. Although it may seem insignificant, updating the browser is now one of the most effective defensive strategies. The message is clear for India’s digital ecosystem, which includes its citizens, businesses, and government: patch now, before hackers take advantage of the vulnerability.

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About the Author: Jyoti Verma