Chrome V8 Engine Vulnerability (CVE-2025-13042) Exposes Users to Memory Corruption via Crafted Web Content
November 14th, 2025
High
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence Unit is tracking a high-severity vulnerability in Google Chrome, CVE-2025-13042, affecting the browser’s V8 JavaScript engine. The vulnerability was reported to Google on November 3, 2025, and Google introduced Chrome Stable 142.0.7444.162/.163 for Windows and 142.0.7444.162 for macOS and Linux on November 11, 2025, in response. The vulnerability stems from an inappropriate implementation in V8 that could lead to memory corruption when processing crafted HTML/JavaScript content. While Google is withholding technical details during the staged rollout, improper logic execution paths in V8 may, under certain conditions, allow attackers to trigger crashes or achieve arbitrary code execution. Because exploitation may require only that a user visit a malicious or compromised webpage, organizations should prioritize patching across all endpoints.
Technical Details
CVE ID: CVE-2025-13042
Severity: High
Affected Component: V8 JavaScript Engine
Issue Type: Inappropriate implementation
Affected Versions: Chrome Stable versions prior to 142.0.7444.162
Patched Versions: 142.0.7444.162/.163 (Windows), 142.0.7444.162 (macOS, Linux)
Google’s advisory notes that the vulnerability resides in V8’s internal logic, which handles JavaScript execution within Chrome. Inappropriate implementation of specific logic paths may lead to memory-handling anomalies, potentially creating conditions that allow attackers to trigger crashes, bypass security protections, or execute code. Google internally validated the bug and deployed the fix as part of the latest stable channel release. In line with standard Chrome disclosure practices, further technical details will remain restricted until most users have updated.
Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13042 may allow an attacker to influence memory behavior inside the Chrome renderer process through malicious JavaScript. While exploitation is expected to remain contained within the renderer, chaining this vulnerability with others could allow for sandbox escapes or deeper system compromise.
Key organizational risks include:
Drive-by exploitation: Users may be compromised by simply visiting a malicious webpage, with no additional interaction required.
Exposure of sensitive data accessible to the renderer: Cookies, session identifiers, or page content may be at risk depending on exploit chaining.
Targeting enterprise browser workflows: Employees, developers, and administrators who rely on Chrome for authenticated access to internal systems may face elevated risk.
Operational disruption: Exploit attempts may cause unstable browser behavior, including renderer crashes, impacting productivity and raising incident-response workload.
Detection Method
Version Validation:
Audit all managed endpoints to confirm installation of Chrome 142.0.7444.162/.163 or later.
Flag earlier versions as high-priority for immediate remediation.
Browser Telemetry Monitoring:
Monitor Chrome enterprise logs for indicators such as:
Unexpected renderer exceptions
Abnormal JavaScript execution patterns
Sudden navigation events preceding renderer crashes
Suspicious extension behaviors
Crash Correlation: Investigate spikes in renderer crashes or repeated tab terminations, especially when correlated with visits to unknown or suspicious domains.
Network Behavior: Review network telemetry for unusual outbound connections initiated by chrome.exe or associated renderer processes.
Sandbox and Detonation Analysis: Route suspicious links, email-embedded URLs, and potentially harmful web artifacts into a browser sandbox to observe execution behavior under controlled conditions.
Indicators of Compromise
There are No Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) for this Advisory.
Recommendations
Update to Chrome 142.0.7444.162/.163 or later immediately.
Restart Chrome after updating to ensure all security patches load.
Enforce centralized updates across enterprise environments through management platforms (e.g., GPO, Intune, Chrome Browser Cloud Management).
Enable automatic updates to reduce exposure windows during future rollouts.
Monitor for abnormal browser behavior, including frequent renderer crashes or anomalous JavaScript execution.
Educate users about avoiding untrusted or unfamiliar websites until enterprise patch compliance is confirmed.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-13042 demonstrates the continued importance of rapid patching for foundational browser components, such as the V8 JavaScript engine. Google’s prompt response, combined with advanced fuzzing and sanitizer-based detection frameworks, helps reduce long-term exposure. However, organizations remain at heightened risk until the whole fleet is updated. We urge organizations to ensure all users have migrated to Chrome 142.0.7444.162/.163 or later, as this is the most effective defense against potential exploitation during this rollout window.