CVE-2026-11698 Overview
CVE-2026-11698 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Bluetooth component of Google Chrome on macOS. Versions prior to 149.0.7827.103 are affected. A remote attacker can exploit heap corruption by serving a crafted HTML page to a targeted user. Google classified the Chromium security severity as High.
The flaw is tracked under CWE-416: Use After Free and requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious website. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser's renderer or Bluetooth process context.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger heap corruption through a crafted HTML page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the Chrome browser process on macOS systems.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on macOS prior to version 149.0.7827.103
- Apple macOS hosts running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-derived browsers on macOS using the same Bluetooth stack code
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-09 - CVE-2026-11698 published to NVD
- 2026-06-09 - Last updated in NVD database
- 2026-06 - Google released stable channel update for desktop addressing the issue
Technical Details for CVE-2026-11698
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in Chrome's Bluetooth implementation on macOS. Use-after-free flaws occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed. An attacker who controls the contents of that reclaimed memory region can manipulate object state or function pointers.
Chrome's Web Bluetooth API exposes Bluetooth device discovery and Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) operations to JavaScript. When the lifecycle of Bluetooth objects is mismanaged, an attacker-controlled page can trigger callbacks or events that operate on dangling pointers. The result is heap corruption that can be steered toward code execution.
The attack requires user interaction. A victim must load a malicious HTML page that invokes the affected Bluetooth code paths. The EPSS score is 0.068% with a percentile of 21.037, reflecting low observed exploitation activity at publication time.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management in the Bluetooth subsystem, classified as [CWE-416]. Code paths free a Bluetooth-related object while another reference remains active. Subsequent operations dereference the stale pointer, allowing an attacker who has reallocated that heap slot to corrupt program state.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network through standard web content delivery. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that interacts with the Web Bluetooth API in a sequence that triggers the freed-object access. When a user with a vulnerable Chrome build visits the page, the renderer or Bluetooth process executes the malicious sequence. Public proof-of-concept code is not currently available, and the flaw is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
For technical context, see the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Chrome Update Announcement.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11698
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome processes on macOS crashing with heap corruption signatures referencing Bluetooth components
- Unexpected child processes spawned from Google Chrome.app immediately after a browsing session
- Outbound connections from Chrome renderer or utility processes to previously unseen domains following Bluetooth API usage
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across macOS endpoints and flag builds prior to 149.0.7827.103
- Monitor crash reports for BluetoothDevice, BluetoothRemoteGATT*, or Bluetooth utility process faults
- Correlate web proxy logs for sites requesting Web Bluetooth permissions with subsequent Chrome process anomalies
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable endpoint telemetry that captures process creation, command line, and parent-child relationships for the Chrome process tree on macOS
- Track Chrome auto-update telemetry to confirm fleet-wide rollout of the fixed version
- Alert on Chrome renderer or utility processes performing file writes, code-signing bypass attempts, or persistence operations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11698
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on macOS to version 149.0.7827.103 or later across all managed endpoints
- Restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched binaries are loaded
- Verify the deployed version using chrome://version or MDM inventory reports
Patch Information
Google addressed the vulnerability in the stable channel update released for desktop. Apply Chrome version 149.0.7827.103 or later on macOS. Details are available in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. Chromium-based browsers should be updated to a build that incorporates the upstream fix.
Workarounds
- Disable the Web Bluetooth API via enterprise policy by setting DefaultWebBluetoothGuardSetting to block until patching is complete
- Restrict Bluetooth permissions on macOS for browsers using configuration profiles
- Advise users to avoid granting Bluetooth permissions to untrusted sites during the patching window
# Configuration example: Chrome enterprise policy on macOS to disable Web Bluetooth
defaults write com.google.Chrome DefaultWebBluetoothGuardSetting -int 2
# Verify deployed Chrome version on a Mac endpoint
/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
