{"id":69023,"date":"2025-03-31T11:36:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T03:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=69023"},"modified":"2025-03-31T11:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T03:36:08","slug":"hackers-using-secret-method-to-attack-chrome-kaspersky-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2025\/03\/31\/hackers-using-secret-method-to-attack-chrome-kaspersky-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Hackers using secret method to attack Chrome, Kaspersky finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kaspersky has identified and helped patch a sophisticated zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome (CVE-2025-2783) that allowed attackers to bypass the browser\u2019s sandbox protection system. The exploit, discovered by Kaspersky\u2019s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), required no user interaction beyond clicking a malicious link and demonstrated exceptional technical complexity. Kaspersky researchers have been acknowledged by Google for discovering and reporting this vulnerability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In mid-March 2025, Kaspersky detected a wave of infections triggered when users clicked personalized phishing links delivered via email. After clicking, no additional action was needed to compromise their systems. Once Kaspersky\u2019s analysis confirmed that the exploit leveraged a previously unknown vulnerability in the latest version of Google Chrome, Kaspersky swiftly alerted Google\u2019s security team. A security patch for the vulnerability was released on March 25, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaspersky researchers dubbed the campaign \u201cOperation ForumTroll\u201d, as attackers sent personalized phishing emails inviting recipients to the \u201cPrimakov Readings\u201d forum. These lures targeted media outlets, educational institutions, and government organizations in Russia. The malicious links were extremely short-lived to evade detection, and in most cases ultimately redirected to the legitimate website for \u201cPrimakov Readings\u201d once the exploit was taken down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The zero-day vulnerability in Chrome was only part of a chain that included at least two exploits: a still-unobtained remote code execution (RCE) exploit that apparently launched the attack, while the sandbox escape discovered by Kaspersky constituted the second stage. Analysis of the malware\u2019s functionality suggests the operation was designed primarily for espionage. All evidence points to an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis vulnerability stands out among the dozens of zero-days we\u2019ve discovered over the years,\u201d said Boris Larin, principal security researcher at Kaspersky GReAT. \u201cThe exploit bypassed Chrome\u2019s sandbox protection without performing any obviously malicious operations \u2013 it\u2019s as if the security boundary simply didn\u2019t exist. The technical sophistication displayed here indicates development by highly skilled actors with substantial resources. We strongly advise all users to update their Google Chrome and any Chromium-based browser to the latest version to protect against this vulnerability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google has credited Kaspersky for uncovering and reporting the issue, reflecting the company\u2019s ongoing commitment to collaboration with the global cybersecurity community and ensuring user safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaspersky continues to investigate Operation ForumTroll. Further details, including a technical analysis of the exploits and malicious payload, will be released in a forthcoming report once Google Chrome user security is assured. Meanwhile, all Kaspersky products detect and protect against this exploit chain and associated malware, ensuring users are shielded from the threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kaspersky Next EDR Expert, a core component of the comprehensive Kaspersky Next XDR (Extended Detection and Response) Expert platform, played a crucial role in detecting a wave of infections caused by previously unknown, highly sophisticated malware. Our exploit detection and protection technologies swiftly identified a zero-day exploit before it became publicly known, enabling us to thoroughly analyze its behavior and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This discovery follows Kaspersky GReAT\u2019s previous identification of another Chrome zero-day (CVE-2024-4947), which was exploited last year by the Lazarus APT group in a cryptocurrency theft campaign. In that case, Kaspersky researchers found a type confusion bug in Google\u2019s V8 JavaScript engine that enabled attackers to bypass security features through a fake cryptogame website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To safeguard against sophisticated attacks like these, Kaspersky security experts recommend implementing these key protective measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n