Google issues urgent Chrome update to fix 42 security flaws including critical memory errors

Google has released a crucial Chrome update addressing 42 vulnerabilities across multiple platforms, with three rated as critical, reinforcing the importance of prompt installation to protect against potential exploits.

Google has released a critical Chrome security update that fixes 42 vulnerabilities across Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, according to Digital Citizen. The browser maker said three of the flaws are rated critical, making the patch one that users should install without delay.

Most of the problems involve memory handling. The report says 12 of the bugs are use-after-free errors, a class of flaw that arises when software continues to access memory after it has already been released. These defects can lead to crashes and, in worse cases, allow attackers to run malicious code. Two of the critical issues affect internal browser components through the same weakness.

Google said there is no evidence that the vulnerabilities are being actively exploited at the time of release. Of the 42 flaws, 26 were found by Google’s own security team and 16 were reported by external researchers. The company has already paid out $2,500 in bug bounties for the outside reports, although that figure could rise after further review. Chrome updates are downloaded automatically, but users still need to restart the browser to finish installation.

The patch lands amid a steady run of Chrome security fixes this year. In June, Google issued Stable Channel updates for desktop builds that addressed flaws including code-execution bugs and other memory-safety problems. Later advisories from Canada’s Cyber Centre and other security teams highlighted further Chrome releases targeting use-after-free defects in components such as Dawn and SwiftShader, underlining how often browser security now centres on memory management.