CVE-2026-13037: Google Chrome Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-13037 Overview

CVE-2026-13037 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the WebView component of Google Chrome on Android versions prior to 149.0.7827.197. A local attacker can exploit this flaw by serving a crafted HTML page, leading to arbitrary code execution within the Chrome sandbox. Google's Chromium security team classified the severity as High, and the issue is tracked under [CWE-416: Use After Free].

The vulnerability requires user interaction, typically loading malicious content inside an Android application that embeds WebView. Exploitation grants code execution constrained to the sandbox, but successful chaining with a sandbox escape would broaden impact.

Critical Impact
Arbitrary code execution inside the Chrome sandbox on Android devices running WebView builds before 149.0.7827.197.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on Android prior to 149.0.7827.197
Google Android devices using the affected WebView component
Android applications embedding Chrome WebView for in-app browsing

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-24 - CVE-2026-13037 published to NVD
2026-06-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-13037

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw is a use-after-free condition [CWE-416] in WebView, the Android system component that renders web content inside native applications. Use-after-free bugs occur when code references memory after it has been deallocated, allowing attackers to control the contents of the freed region and influence program flow.

In this case, a crafted HTML page processed by WebView triggers the dangling reference. An attacker who controls page content can groom the heap, reclaim the freed object, and redirect execution to attacker-supplied data. The result is arbitrary code execution within the renderer sandbox.

Google has not publicly disclosed full technical details. The Chromium Issue Tracker Entry is restricted pending broad patch deployment.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management within WebView. A code path retains a pointer to an object after its destructor runs, leaving a stale reference accessible during subsequent operations triggered by JavaScript or DOM manipulation.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local with required user interaction. A victim must load a malicious HTML page through a vulnerable WebView instance. Delivery mechanisms include compromised in-app browsers, malicious advertising rendered through WebView, or attacker-controlled apps that load remote content.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. The vulnerability mechanism follows standard Chromium use-after-free exploitation: heap grooming, object reclamation, and control-flow hijack through a corrupted virtual table pointer. Refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement for vendor details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13037

Indicators of Compromise

Android devices running Chrome or WebView builds below 149.0.7827.197
Unexpected renderer process crashes in WebView-hosting applications
Suspicious HTML or JavaScript content delivered through in-app browsers or ad SDKs

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome and Android System WebView versions across managed mobile fleets to identify hosts below 149.0.7827.197.
Monitor mobile threat defense telemetry for renderer crashes, anomalous WebView behavior, and unexpected child process spawning from apps that embed WebView.
Inspect network logs for traffic to suspicious domains delivering HTML payloads to mobile clients, particularly in advertising and content-loading flows.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enroll Android devices in mobile device management to enforce reporting of Chrome and WebView component versions.
Track Google Play Store update compliance for Chrome and Android System WebView packages.
Review application logs from enterprise apps embedding WebView for abnormal exception patterns following content loads.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13037

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome on Android to version 149.0.7827.197 or later through the Google Play Store.
Update the Android System WebView package to the matching patched build on all managed devices.
Audit enterprise mobile applications that embed WebView and confirm they rely on the system component rather than bundled older versions.

Patch Information

Google released the fix in Chrome for Android 149.0.7827.197. Distribution occurs through the Google Play Store for both the Chrome browser and the Android System WebView component. See the Google Chrome Update Announcement for the official release notes.

Workarounds

Restrict WebView usage in enterprise applications to trusted, allowlisted origins until patches are deployed.
Disable JavaScript in WebView instances where rendering attacker-controlled HTML is not required.
Block loading of third-party advertising content through WebView in sensitive enterprise apps.

bash

# Verify Chrome version on a managed Android device via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
adb shell dumpsys package com.google.android.webview | grep versionName