Google patches Chrome browser

For the second time in eight days, Google has patched the Chrome browser because of 12 vulnerabilities.

Eight of the 12 were considered "use-after-free" bugs, a type of memory vulnerability that researchers have found in large numbers within Chrome by using Google's own AddressSanitizer detection tool.

Seven of the bugs were rated "high". Four were marked as "medium, and one was labeled "low".

Three researchers received $6000 in bounties for reporting seven of the bugs. The rest were found by Googles own security team.

Google has paid over $216.000 in bounties this year alone. That includes $120,000 during the Pwnium hacking challenge sponsored by Google.

Google also fixed several non-security issues. Some where related to hardware acceleration which is a feature the company turned on in Chrome with Version 18, released in March.

Chrome's usage share has declined three months running, and is down about 3% since the start of the year. Already installed copies of the browser will be updated automatically by Chrome's silent service.