Serious Discussion PSA: Malwarebytes Exploit Protection breaks Chrome, after installing KB 5027231 for Windows 11 (includes Workaround)

[plat]

As confirmed by Malwarebytes staff, the issue is caused by Malwarebytes' anti-exploit module blocking Chrome from loading after installing the KB5027231 update.

While uninstalling the KB5027231 update fixes the issue, admins report that it's not possible to do so via WSUS because of a "catastrophic error."

The Google Chrome process is actually running but is prevented from fully launching the application and loading the user interface due to the conflict.

The detailed procedure needed to disable Google Chrome as a protected app in Malwarebytes' security settings requires you to

1. Open Malwarebytes on your device.
2. On the top right, click the Settings wheel.
3. Click the Security tab.
4. Under Exploit Protection, click Manage protected applications.
5. Toggle off Google Chrome (and plug-ins).
6. Click Done

Original source

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

'Head in the hands' Microsoft moment for this week...

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

The issue is caused by Malwarebytes' anti-exploit module blocking Chrome

Nothing to do with Microsoft...

2 workarounds from Malwarebytes:

1. Try setting Chrome as a default browser

OR

2. Turn off Chrome as a protected application in the Malwarebytes product. you can find this in Settings->Security tab

June 2023 Update (KB5027231) prevents Google Chrome from displaying

Updating to June 2023 Update (KB5027231) prevents Google Chrome from displaying after loading. Chrome will be listed in the task manager but you cannot get it to display. The only thing you can do is quite Malwarebytes.

forums.malwarebytes.com

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

We have released the temporary fix to resolve conflicts with Chrome in Malwarebytes Premium. The temporary fix will automatically disable anti-exploit protection for Chrome as suggested in the knowledge base article we published yesterday. Again, this is only meant to be a temporary fix so that users are able to launch Chrome again. This patch will automatically roll out to users via Update package version 1.0.70914 when the product checks for updates - by default this check is performed on an hourly basis.

• For devices that get this patch automatically, no further action will be required to restore anti-exploit protection for Chrome once we provide a better long-term fix.
• For devices where anti-exploit was manually turned off (as instructed in the knowledge base article), no further action is required at this moment. Once the long-term fix is implemented, we'll know whether anti-exploit needs to be manually re-enabled for Chrome.

June 2023 Update (KB5027231) prevents Google Chrome from displaying

forums.malwarebytes.com

 

[MuzzMelbourne]

Windows 11 KB5027231 also breaks Chrome for Cisco, WatchGuard EDR users

The Windows 11 22H2 KB5027231 cumulative update released during this month's Patch Tuesday also breaks Google Chrome on systems protected by Cisco and WatchGuard EDR and antivirus solutions.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[plat]

Malwarebytes issues fix for Chrome broken by Windows 11 KB5027231

Malwarebytes released a fix for a known issue breaking Google Chrome on its customers' systems after installing the Windows 11 22H2 KB5027231 cumulative update released last week.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

Customers affected by this known issue were advised to toggle off Chrome's entry from the list of protected applications in their Malwarebytes product as a temporary workaround.

Malwarebytes has now fixed the conflict with the Chrome web browser on up-to-date Windows 11 systems.

Long story short: update ya Malwarebytes already!