Why Chrome Leads in Browser Vulnerabilities: 2022 Data Reveals the Risks

According to a recent analysis by Atlas VPN, Google Chrome was rated by foreign media as the most attack‑prone internet browser, followed by Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari.

303 New Vulnerabilities in One Year, 3,159 Over Its Lifetime

Browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari collect large amounts of sensitive user data, making their security crucial. Atlas VPN’s report draws data from VulDB, a vulnerability database that has recorded flaws since the 1970s. The study covers vulnerabilities reported from January 1 to October 5, 2022, focusing on total counts without assessing severity.

Chrome alone had at least 303 newly discovered vulnerabilities in 2022, ranking first, and has accumulated 3,159 vulnerabilities throughout its lifespan. New issues reported in October include CVE‑2022‑3318, CVE‑2022‑3314, CVE‑2022‑3311, CVE‑2022‑3309, and CVE‑2022‑3307, each capable of corrupting device memory, though they can be mitigated by updating the browser.

Other Browsers

Firefox ranked second with 117 vulnerabilities reported in 2022 and a total of 2,361 since its launch. Once a rapidly growing browser, Firefox now holds only about 2.86% market share, overtaken by Edge’s 4.13%.

Edge, the third most vulnerable browser in 2022, has recorded 806 total vulnerabilities, 103 of which were reported this year—a 61% increase over 2021.

Safari reported 26 new vulnerabilities in 2022, bringing its total to 1,139. It remains the world’s second‑most popular browser with a 23.72% market share.

Opera was deemed the safest browser in 2022, with only 344 total vulnerabilities and none reported this year. However, because Chrome, Edge, and Opera share the Chromium engine, vulnerabilities in Chromium may affect all three.

Despite Chrome’s dominant 62.16% market share (September 2022 data), users should reconsider the assumption that it is completely safe.

Protecting Your Personal Browsing Environment

Hackers exploit browser flaws to gain control of computers, but users can reduce risk by keeping browsers up to date, installing plugins only from trusted sources, and staying vigilant against phishing attempts.

Regularly updating the browser ensures patches are applied promptly, minimizing the window for attackers to exploit known flaws.

Choosing reliable extensions and keeping them current helps avoid additional vulnerabilities.

Being cautious with emails and messages—avoiding unknown senders, suspicious language, urgent requests, or requests for personal information—helps prevent phishing attacks that target unpatched browser weaknesses.

Reference Links

https://atlasvpn.com/blog/google-chrome-is-the-most-vulnerability-ridden-browser-in-2022