CVE-2026-12442: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-12442 Overview

CVE-2026-12442 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Passwords component of Google Chrome on Android. The flaw affects all Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.155 and is tracked under [CWE-416]. A remote attacker can exploit the issue by serving a crafted HTML page to a victim. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution within the browser process. Google's Chromium team rated the underlying severity as Critical, and the network-based attack vector requires only user interaction such as visiting a malicious page.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on Android devices running vulnerable Chrome builds by luring users to a crafted HTML page.

Affected Products

Google Chrome for Android versions prior to 149.0.7827.155
Google Android devices running affected Chrome builds
Chromium-based components reusing the vulnerable Passwords code path

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-17 - CVE-2026-12442 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-12442

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Passwords subsystem of Google Chrome on Android. A use-after-free condition occurs when the component accesses memory that has already been released. Attackers leverage this dangling reference to corrupt heap state and steer execution to attacker-controlled data.

Exploitation requires a victim to load a crafted HTML page in a vulnerable Chrome build. Because the Passwords component handles sensitive autofill workflows, attackers can chain the flaw with renderer or sandbox escape primitives. The result is arbitrary code execution within the browser context, potentially exposing stored credentials and session data.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management inside the Passwords feature. Chromium retains a pointer to a freed object and later dereferences it during password handling logic. The freed allocation can be reclaimed by attacker-controlled allocations, enabling type confusion and controlled memory writes on the heap.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and triggered through web content. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that interacts with the Passwords feature in a manner that triggers premature deallocation. When the victim visits the page from an unpatched Chrome on Android, the malicious DOM and JavaScript shape the heap and revive the freed object. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-12442

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome on Android renderer or browser process crashes referencing the Passwords component or autofill stack.
Outbound connections from mobile browsers to recently registered domains hosting credential-themed pages.
Unexpected installation of follow-on payloads or accessibility service abuse after browser activity.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome on Android versions across managed devices and flag installations below 149.0.7827.155.
Monitor mobile threat defense telemetry for browser process anomalies and abnormal memory faults.
Inspect web proxy and DNS logs for users visiting suspicious URLs immediately before mobile device anomalies.

Monitoring Recommendations

Aggregate browser crash reports from Android fleets and correlate against known exploitation patterns.
Alert on enterprise users visiting newly observed domains delivering heavy JavaScript or password prompts.
Track Chrome version drift through MDM compliance reporting and escalate non-compliant endpoints.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-12442

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome on Android to version 149.0.7827.155 or later through the Google Play Store.
Enforce automatic browser updates via Android Enterprise or MDM policies on all managed devices.
Restrict access to untrusted web content for high-risk users until patching is verified.

Patch Information

Google addressed the vulnerability in the Chrome stable channel as announced in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. Administrators should validate that Chrome on Android is running 149.0.7827.155 or newer. Additional technical details are tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Workarounds

Disable Chrome password autofill features on Android devices until updates are applied.
Use enterprise web filtering to block access to untrusted sites that may serve crafted HTML payloads.
Educate users to avoid clicking unsolicited links and to verify the source of credential prompts.

bash

# Configuration example
# Verify Chrome version on Android via adb
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
# Force update through managed Google Play
# Set update policy in Android Enterprise: AutoUpdatePolicy=ALWAYS