Critical Chrome Security Flaw Exposes User Data Through Loader Component

A critical security flaw discovered in Google Chrome’s Loader component has exposed users to potential cross-origin data leaks through insufficient policy enforcement. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-4664, has been actively exploited in the wild, allowing attackers to capture sensitive information including OAuth tokens through crafted HTML pages.

Key Takeaways:

• A high-severity vulnerability in Chrome’s Loader component enables cross-origin data leaks
• The exploit affects all Chromium-based browsers including Edge, Brave, and Opera
• Attackers can capture sensitive query parameters and OAuth tokens through Link header manipulation
• Google has released emergency security updates to patch the vulnerability
• Users should immediately update to Chrome versions 136.0.7103.113/114 for protection

Understanding the Chrome Vulnerability

The newly discovered vulnerability in Google Chrome’s Loader component presents a significant security risk for users. Security researcher Vsevolod Kokorin identified this flaw on May 5, 2025, which stems from Chrome’s unique handling of Link headers during sub-resource requests. Similar security incidents have highlighted the increasing sophistication of browser-based attacks.

Technical Exploitation Details

The exploit mechanism takes advantage of Chrome’s distinctive behavior in processing Link headers. Attackers can manipulate these headers to set custom referrer policies, enabling them to capture sensitive data. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple browsers built on the Chromium engine. Microsoft Edge users are also impacted, highlighting the widespread nature of this security issue.

Impact and Risk Assessment

The potential impact of this cross-origin data leak is severe, particularly for organizations and individuals using OAuth authentication. Security vulnerabilities of this magnitude require immediate attention from system administrators and users alike. The exposure of sensitive query parameters could lead to account takeovers and unauthorized access to protected resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

I recommend implementing several key measures to protect against this vulnerability. First, update your Chrome browser immediately to the latest version. For those interested in automating security updates and other critical tasks, Latenode offers efficient automation solutions that can help maintain system security.

Essential security steps include:

• Installing the latest Chrome updates (136.0.7103.113 for Windows/Linux or 136.0.7103.114 for macOS)
• Enabling two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts
• Monitoring account activity for suspicious behavior
• Reviewing and updating security policies for organizational systems

Looking Forward

This incident serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of cybersecurity threats. While Google has responded quickly with patches, the discovery of this vulnerability indicates the need for constant vigilance and proactive security measures. Organizations should maintain regular security assessments and keep their browser infrastructure updated to prevent similar exploits.