Overview
The CVE-2025-6179 vulnerability is a severe security flaw affecting Google’s ChromeOS version 16181.27.0 on managed Chrome devices. This vulnerability allows local attackers to bypass permissions in Extension Management, thereby enabling them to disable extensions, access Developer Mode, and load additional extensions by exploiting vulnerabilities through the tools ExtHang3r and ExtPrint3r. The severity of this vulnerability lies in its potential to compromise systems or leak data, posing a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-6179
Severity: Critical (CVSS score 9.8)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage
Affected Products
Escape the Surveillance Era
Most apps won’t tell you the truth.
They’re part of the problem.
Phone numbers. Emails. Profiles. Logs.
It’s all fuel for surveillance.
Ameeba Chat gives you a way out.
- • No phone number
- • No email
- • No personal info
- • Anonymous aliases
- • End-to-end encrypted
Chat without a trace.
Product | Affected Versions
Google ChromeOS | 16181.27.0
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by manipulating the permissions in Extension Management on Google’s ChromeOS. A local attacker can utilize the vulnerabilities within the ExtHang3r and ExtPrint3r tools to disable existing extensions and gain access to Developer Mode. In this mode, the attacker can load additional extensions, potentially malicious, thereby compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
Conceptual Example Code
While specific exploit code for CVE-2025-6179 is not detailed, the following pseudocode conceptually illustrates how an attacker might seek to use this vulnerability:
# Attacker gains local access to the device
login(chrome_device)
# Attacker uses ExtHang3r and ExtPrint3r tools to disable security extensions
run_tool(ExtHang3r, target="security_extension")
run_tool(ExtPrint3r, target="security_extension")
# Attacker enters Developer Mode
enter_developer_mode()
# Attacker loads malicious extension
load_extension("malicious_extension")Remember, this is just a conceptual example. Real exploitation would require a much deeper understanding of the ChromeOS, the vulnerable extensions, and the exploit tools involved.
Mitigation
Google has released a patch to address this vulnerability, and administrators are urged to apply this patch immediately to all affected systems. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as a temporary mitigation method. It’s critical to stay updated on the latest security patches and updates to ensure the safety of your systems and data.