Google has launched version 114 of its web browser, Chrome. The update has patched a total of 16 security gaps, eight of which are considered high risk. The most severe vulnerability discovered was in a component known as Swiftshader, which allows attackers to trigger write access outside of the intended memory area. Other vulnerabilities were found in the Javascript engine V8, and the integrated PDF reader.
The new Chrome version also includes some additional security features, such as moving the certificate root store and verification to the browser. The password manager has also undergone upgrades and has been renamed the Google Password Manager, while the Auto-verify option promises to significantly reduce the use of captchas by allowing trust in a user’s humanity to be taken from one context to another.
The browser version statuses are Chrome 114.0.5735.57/.58 for Android, 114.0.5735.50 for iOS, 114.0.5735.90 for Linux and Mac, and 114.0.5735.90/91 for Windows. Users can check their current version status by clicking on the symbol with the three stacked dots to the right of the address bar and proceeding with Help – About Google Chrome.
Since the gaps are also in the Chromium code, which other web browsers such as Microsoft Edge are based on, users should expect updates for these browsers soon. Google released a previous update two weeks ago, where developers closed a critical security gap.
