CVE-2025-2783: the Chrome zero-day that allows spyware installation with a single click

Just one click on an apparently harmless link is enough to compromise your Google Chrome browser. The CVE-2025-2783 vulnerability, a zero-day sandbox escape, is being actively exploited by the advanced espionage group Mem3nt0 mori, allowing remote code execution without any downloads or additional permissions.

This drive-by attack requires no action beyond opening the malicious page. Once active, it installs advanced spyware like Dante and LeetAgent, capable of stealing credentials, logging keystrokes, accessing documents, and maintaining persistent control over the system.

Although users in Russia and Belarus are the primary targets, any unpatched Chrome browser is at risk, making this threat a global concern. The question is simple: Is your Chrome up to date? If not, you could be exposing yourself to total data theft just by visiting a compromised website.

What is CVE‑2025‑2783

CVE‑2025‑2783 is a sandbox escape flaw in Google Chrome affecting the Mojo component, the library Chrome uses for inter-process communication (IPC). Under specific conditions, an incorrect handle is passed to this subsystem, allowing an attacker to break the boundaries Chrome sets between tabs and the operating system. In practice, this turns a browser issue into a pathway for executing code on the victim’s machine.

Why is it serious? The sandbox is the defense line that limits what a web page can do: it prevents malicious web content from touching system files, processes, or credentials. If an exploit escapes the sandbox (as CVE‑2025‑2783 does), an attacker can combine it with additional payloads to achieve remote code execution in the user context, opening the door to installing spyware, keyloggers, or backdoors.

Google fixed the issue in the stable branch released March 25, 2025 (version 134.0.6998.177/.178 for Windows); any earlier version remains vulnerable until updated. Due to its technical nature (Mojo/IPC) and its real-world exploitation in campaigns, experts rate it as high severity and high risk in targeted espionage scenarios.

Potential consequences of the attack

Exploitation of the CVE‑2025‑2783 zero-day is not just theoretical: once an attacker escapes Chrome’s sandbox, they can deploy advanced spyware like Dante and LeetAgent, posing serious risks to users and organizations. Key consequences include:

1. Total theft of confidential data

• User credentials: email accounts, web service passwords, corporate access.
• Sensitive documents: .docx, .pdf, .xlsx, and other critical files.
• Browsing history and cookies: allowing attackers to reconstruct habits, session credentials, and work patterns.

2. Data alteration and manipulation

Beyond stealing information, attackers can:

• Inject additional malware or modify existing files.
• Control system processes, closing applications, altering settings, or executing arbitrary code.
• Maintain persistence, so spyware survives reboots and continues collecting information unnoticed.

3. Impact on availability and performance

Installed spyware can directly affect machine operation:

• Application or service lockouts.
• Degraded performance, with high CPU/memory usage slowing the system.
• Potential interference with critical services, especially in corporate environments.

In summary, exploiting this zero-day turns a vulnerable browser into an open door for full espionage and system manipulation. The severity depends on the user type and data stored, but no unpatched Chrome user is completely safe.

How to protect yourself — immediate mitigation steps

A. Urgent steps for individual users (do immediately)

1. Update Chrome immediately.
   • Open Chrome → Menu ⋮ → Help → About Google Chrome. If an update is available, select Relaunch to apply it. The CVE‑2025‑2783 fix was released in the stable branch (134.0.6998.177/.178 on March 25, 2025).
2. Verify your version: type chrome://version in the address bar and confirm your version is ≥ 134.0.6998.177 (Windows) or the equivalent for your platform.
3. Enable automatic updates (if not already active) to ensure future patches install without manual intervention. Home environments usually handle this automatically; in corporate settings, consult your IT team.
4. Do not open suspicious links — especially emails in Russian or unexpected event invitations (e.g., “Primakov Readings”). If you receive an unexpected link, verify the sender via another channel before clicking.
5. Force password changes from a clean device if you suspect your machine may have been compromised; enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on critical services.
6. Run a full antivirus/EDR scan and check system activity; if anomalies are detected, disconnect from the network and contact IT support.

B. Actions for administrators and security teams (high priority)

1. Deploy the patch to all endpoints — urgent and mandatory.
   • Force Chrome update to version 134.0.6998.177/178 (Windows) and equivalent versions for other platforms. Mark as critical in patch management SLAs.
2. Use centralized update policies (Admin Console / MDM/CMDB) to ensure all browsers are updated and to monitor exceptions; consider staggering and caching for large deployments.
3. Domain and network mitigation: block known malicious domains/URLs at DNS/proxy level; use web filtering to block high-risk site categories.
4. Enable and review EDR/IDS/Proxy telemetry: search for indicators of compromise (C2 connections, exfiltration patterns, anomalous processes). Insert public IOCs for Dante/LeetAgent into detection rules.
5. Urgent phishing awareness campaign: inform users of the attack vector (emails in Russian, fake event invitations), add email filtering rules, and quarantine spear-phishing templates.
6. Version inventory and audit: report installed Chrome versions and prioritize systems that cannot update immediately for compensating mitigations (e.g., temporary use of alternative browsers, restricted navigation).
7. Prepare an incident response playbook: include endpoint isolation, reimaging, memory capture, log collection (browser, syslog, proxy), stakeholder communication, and notification to authorities if necessary.

C. If you suspect a device is already compromised

1. Immediately isolate it from the network (disconnect Ethernet/Wi-Fi).
2. Do not change passwords from the affected device. Use a clean device to reset credentials and enable MFA.
3. Collect evidence: memory dump (if possible), network logs, and EDR records; preserve disk images if feasible.
4. Reimage or reinstall the OS after collecting evidence; advanced spyware often maintains persistence that is difficult to remove.
5. Report and share IOCs with your security provider / ISAC / local CERT to help block related campaigns.

Conclusion

The CVE‑2025‑2783 vulnerability demonstrates that even the most popular browsers can become entry points for sophisticated attacks if not kept up to date. Actively exploited by Mem3nt0 mori, it allows advanced spyware like Dante and LeetAgent to be installed simply by opening a link, without downloads or additional permissions.

The risk is not limited to specific countries or users: any unpatched Chrome version is potentially compromised. Immediate browser updates, phishing awareness, and robust security controls are the most effective measures to protect sensitive data, credentials, and critical systems.

The lesson is clear: in a world where a single click can open the door to full-scale espionage, prevention and rapid action are the best defense. Keep your devices updated and educate users — security starts with not underestimating the threat.