A new version of Google Chrome currently pushing out via auto-update closes high-risk security holes in how the browser handles Javascript and XML.
The first fix for the browser’s Javascript engine heads off a problem that could allow malicious Javascript on a poisoned Web site to steal data or “run arbitrary code,” which usually translates to “install malware.” Google says a (currently unavailable) post with more info on the bug will be made public “once a majority of users are up to date with the fix.”
The other high-priority fix closes the door to a potential attack that could use malicious XML on a Web page to crash a Chrome tab process and run arbitrary code. The code would be run within Google’s sandbox. See CVE-2009-2414 and CVE-2009-2416 for more on the fixed bugs.
Finally, with this new Chrome update the browser will no longer connect to “HTTPS (SSL) sites whose certificates are signed using MD2 or MD4 hashing algorithms.” Google’s post says the algorithims are weak and could allow an attacker to present a fake HTTPS site as seemingly valid. As with the Javascript bug, Google says it will post more info on the medium-risk certificate flaw once a majority of users get the automatically distributed update.
For more details on the new 2.0.172.43 update, see Google’s blogspot post.