Google releases Chrome 8.0 stable

Google Chrome 8.0.552.215 on Mac OS X. Previously only available in the Beta channel, Google has released version 8 of the Chrome web browser into the stable channel. This major update is the first version capable of using the upcoming web store and includes a built-in PDF viewer that's sandboxed to help prevent attackers from exploiting security vulnerabilities in the plug-in. A sandboxed Adobe Flash Player plug-in has been integrated into the Development (Dev) channel version of the browser, so that too should appear in the stable release in due time.

The update, which moves the full version number up to 8.0.552.215, also addresses 13 security vulnerabilities in the WebKit-based browser, including four that Google rates as high-risk – $500 to $1,000 each has been awarded to those reporting these vulnerabilities as part of Google's vulnerability reward program. The security bugs range from crashes due to malformed video, to cross-origin issues and other browser crashing problems. Further details of the vulnerabilities are being withheld until "a majority of users are up-to-date with the fix". All users are encouraged to update to the latest release as soon as possible.

More details about the release can be found in a post on the Google Chrome Release blog. Chrome 8.0.552.215 is available to download for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux from google.com/chrome. Users who currently have Chrome installed can use the built-in update function by clicking Tools, selecting About Google Chrome and clicking the Update button.

See also:

• Google updates Chrome Dev channel to version 9, a report from The H.

(crve)