Update your Google Chrome browser by July 23 due to a pending security upgrade alert
In a recent development, Google has released an urgent security update for its Chrome web browser to address a high-severity zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-6554. This vulnerability, a type confusion issue in Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely via crafted HTML pages, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Key details about CVE-2025-6554 reveal that it can cause arbitrary read/write in memory and remote code execution. The flaw affects all major desktop operating systems running Chrome, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Specifically, Chrome versions prior to 138.0.7204.96/.97 (Windows), 138.0.7204.92/.93 (macOS), and 138.0.7204.92 (Linux) are vulnerable.
The vulnerability was discovered and reported by Google's Threat Analysis Group on June 25, 2025, and an immediate configuration-based mitigation was pushed on June 26, 2025. The official patched Chrome Stable versions were released worldwide on July 1, 2025.
Given the active exploitation and severity of CVE-2025-6554, it is urgently recommended for immediate deployment across all environments. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has advised all organizations to prioritize the remediation of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog vulnerabilities, including CVE-2025-6554.
For all users, organizations, and enterprises, it is recommended to update Chrome immediately to the patched stable versions: Windows 138.0.7204.96/.97, macOS 138.0.7204.92/.93, and Linux 138.0.7204.92/.96. Enabling Chrome’s automatic update feature is also advised to ensure timely installation of future security updates.
Although the update process for consumers is easy and automatic, requiring only a browser restart to activate protections, some users may choose not to restart their browser after an update, which could leave them vulnerable. For enterprise users, the update process can be more complex and require additional steps.
It is important to note that this update is not related to the Gmail update mentioned in the article title. Google has also confirmed a new hacker protection for 3 billion Android users, but this fact is separate from the Chrome security update.
Chrome security exploits can have catastrophic impacts on victims, making it crucial to prioritise the update and ensure timely protection. Delaying the update puts systems at risk of compromise through targeted or widespread attacks exploiting this vulnerability.
- Given the gravity of the CVE-2025-6554 vulnerability in Google Chrome, which allows remote code execution and can potentially lead to system compromise, it's essential for all users to update Chrome to the patched stable versions immediately as advised by CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency).
- As technology advances, so do threats to cybersecurity. In this context, the recent security update for Google Chrome by Google, addressing the high-severity zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-6554, serves as a reminder to prioritize updates and stay vigilant in the face of new security threats.
