Google Chrome issues security update to fix 52 vulnerabilities

Google has released a security update for the Chrome browser to address 52 vulnerabilities, including four classified as critical and 46 as high severity. The critical flaws involve FileSystem, FileAPI, and Layout components, specifically targeting memory corruption and insufficient validation. These vulnerabilities could potentially allow malicious websites to alter program behavior or bypass sandbox protections.

Separately, a security review has identified 319 malicious Chrome extensions that hijack user searches. These extensions, which have an estimated 13.4 million installations worldwide, often masquerade as useful tools like PDF finders or AI assistants. Rather than stealing passwords, they silently control the default search engine to redirect traffic for profit. Researchers noted that these extensions are often promoted through paid advertisements and can quickly reappear under new names after being deleted.