Google has notified its web users that it is upgrading its Chrome web browser to version 131 across the Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android platforms to remedy a number of security issues.
The latest update patches 12 security flaws that have been affecting Google Chrome users. Chrome is used by 66.68 percent of internet users across the globe, making it the world’s number one internet browser, according to data from web-tracking firm Statcounter.
The launch of the updated version will include stability and performance improvements, according to Tuesday’s security announcement. Chrome 131 will be rolled out in the coming days and weeks, Google said.
Linux users will find the update takes their version of Chrome to 131.0.6778.69, while Android’s is now Chrome 131.0.6778.39. The new version for people using Windows or macOS will find theirs to be Chrome 131.0.6778.69/.70.
“Access to bug details and links may be kept restricted until a majority of users are updated with a fix,” said Prudhvikumar Bommana from the Google Chrome team in the announcement. “We will also retain restrictions if the bug exists in a third-party library that other projects similarly depend on, but haven’t yet fixed.”
Although the announcement did not list all 12 of the security vulnerabilities repaired, the Chrome team did highlight the fixes that were discovered by external researchers. They found one high-level security issue, six medium-level, and one low-severity issue.
The announcement listed the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)—a list of publicly disclosed information security vulnerabilities—explaining the level of risk for each.
High-level vulnerability:
- CVE-2024-11110: an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in Blink.
Medium-level vulnerability:
- CVE-2024-11111: an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in Autofill.
- CVE-2024-11112: a use-after-free vulnerability in Media.
- CVE-2024-11113: a use-after-free vulnerability in Accessibility.
- CVE-2024-11114: an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in Views.
- CVE-2024-11115: an insufficient policy enforcement vulnerability in Navigation.
- CVE-2024-11116: an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in Paint.
Low-level vulnerability:
- CVE-2024-11117: an inappropriate implementation in FileSystem.
To check which version of Chrome you’re using, open the browser and click the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
Hover over Help and click “About Google Chrome.” The current version of Chrome installed will be displayed near the top of the page.
If updates are available, you can click “Relaunch” to restart Chrome and install them.