CVE-2026-13038 Overview
CVE-2026-13038 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Autofill component of Google Chrome on Windows. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.197. A remote attacker can exploit the issue by serving a crafted HTML page, leading to arbitrary code execution within the renderer process. Google's Chromium project rates the security severity as Critical, while the CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8.
The vulnerability requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled page, but no authentication is needed. Successful exploitation can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can trigger memory corruption in the Autofill subsystem to execute arbitrary code through a malicious web page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.197
- Microsoft Windows platforms running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-based browsers sharing the affected Autofill code path
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-24 - CVE-2026-13038 published to NVD
- 2026-06-25 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13038
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's Autofill component, which manages saved form data such as addresses, payment methods, and credentials. A use-after-free condition [CWE-416] occurs when the component continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated. Attackers can manipulate object lifetimes through carefully crafted HTML and JavaScript that triggers Autofill interactions in unexpected orderings.
Once the freed memory is reclaimed with attacker-controlled data, the dangling reference can be used to hijack control flow inside the renderer process. The Chromium team classified the underlying defect as Critical, reflecting the reliability of exploitation primitives commonly available from this bug class. Technical details are tracked under Chromium Issue Report #523740781.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper lifetime management of an Autofill object. The component retains a raw pointer or reference to a structure that is freed during a nested operation, such as a navigation, DOM mutation, or asynchronous Autofill callback. Subsequent access to the freed object produces undefined behavior that an attacker can shape into a memory corruption primitive.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is network-based and requires the victim to load a crafted HTML page. The page uses JavaScript to invoke Autofill workflows and trigger the freeing sequence, then sprays the heap to control the contents of the reclaimed allocation. Because the bug executes within the renderer sandbox, attackers typically chain it with a sandbox escape to achieve full system compromise.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for CVE-2026-13038. Refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13038
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer process crashes referencing the Autofill component in Windows Error Reporting or crashpad logs.
- Outbound connections from chrome.exe to unfamiliar domains shortly after page loads that trigger Autofill prompts.
- Unexpected child processes spawned by chrome.exe, indicating a possible sandbox escape chain.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across Windows endpoints and flag any build below 149.0.7827.197.
- Hunt for renderer crash dumps containing Autofill stack frames followed by exploitation attempts.
- Correlate browsing telemetry with threat intelligence on domains hosting browser exploit kits.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable behavioral monitoring for browser process injection, suspicious memory allocations, and anomalous child processes.
- Forward Chrome crash telemetry and EDR process events to a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting.
- Alert on Chrome auto-update failures, which can leave endpoints exposed to known browser vulnerabilities.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13038
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on all Windows endpoints to version 149.0.7827.197 or later.
- Verify that Chrome auto-update is functional and not blocked by group policy or network restrictions.
- Restart Chrome after the update so the patched binaries are loaded into memory.
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-13038 in the Stable channel release covered by the Google Chrome Stable Update. Administrators managing Chromium-based browsers should confirm their vendor has incorporated the upstream fix from Chromium issue 523740781.
Workarounds
- Disable Autofill for forms, addresses, and payment methods via enterprise policy until patches are deployed.
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites using web filtering or DNS policies for high-risk user groups.
- Apply the Chrome SitePerProcess policy and ensure renderer sandboxing remains enabled.
# Configuration example: enforce minimum Chrome version and disable Autofill via Windows Group Policy registry keys
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v AutofillAddressEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v AutofillCreditCardEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v PasswordManagerEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
