CVE-2026-13788 Overview
CVE-2026-13788 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Fullscreen component of Google Chrome on Android. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.47 on the Android platform. A remote attacker can trigger the condition by serving a crafted HTML page to a targeted user. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution within the browser process. Chromium engineers rated the underlying defect Critical, and the National Vulnerability Database assigns a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8. The vulnerability requires user interaction, typically a visit to an attacker-controlled page.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code on Android devices running vulnerable Chrome versions through a crafted HTML page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for Android prior to 150.0.7871.47
- Google Android devices running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-based components sharing the affected Fullscreen implementation
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13788 published to NVD
- 2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13788
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in the Fullscreen subsystem of Chrome on Android. Use-after-free flaws occur when memory is referenced after it has been released back to the allocator. In browser engines, freed objects can be reclaimed by attacker-controlled allocations, allowing manipulation of vtables or function pointers during subsequent use. The Fullscreen API manages transitions between windowed and fullscreen presentation of DOM elements. Race conditions or improper lifetime management between renderer objects and their DOM references commonly produce this defect class. Exploitation typically results in renderer process compromise and can be chained with sandbox escapes for broader Android device impact.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management [CWE-416] within Chrome's Fullscreen code path. An object referenced during a fullscreen transition is freed while other code paths retain and later dereference the stale pointer. The Chromium issue tracker entry 523119897 documents the specific defect.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that invokes specific Fullscreen API sequences designed to trigger the dangling reference. When a victim visits the page in a vulnerable Chrome build on Android, the malicious script drives the object allocation and free pattern needed to gain control of freed memory. No authentication is required. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for referenced technical context.
No verified public exploit code is available for this CVE. Technical exploitation details for use-after-free flaws in Blink typically involve JavaScript-driven allocation grooming and heap layout manipulation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13788
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer process crashes on Android devices coincident with Fullscreen API activity in browsing telemetry.
- Outbound connections from mobile browsers to unfamiliar domains immediately following fullscreen transitions.
- Unexpected child processes or native library loads spawned by the Chrome application on Android.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Chrome versions across managed Android devices and flag any build below 150.0.7871.47.
- Correlate mobile browser crash reports with URLs visited to identify potentially malicious HTML delivery.
- Inspect mobile threat defense logs for anomalous behavior in the Chrome process context.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable mobile device management (MDM) reporting on installed browser versions and enforce compliance baselines.
- Log DNS and HTTP requests from Android endpoints to identify visits to suspected exploit-hosting infrastructure.
- Track Chrome release channel updates and validate deployment across the fleet after each stable channel push.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13788
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on Android to version 150.0.7871.47 or later on all managed devices.
- Push the update through MDM or enterprise mobility management platforms to ensure fleet-wide coverage.
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites on unpatched devices until the update is applied.
Patch Information
Google addressed the vulnerability in Chrome 150.0.7871.47 for Android. Refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement for release details and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for issue metadata.
Workarounds
- Disable JavaScript on untrusted origins through Chrome site settings to reduce exposure to crafted HTML pages.
- Route mobile traffic through a filtering proxy that blocks known malicious domains.
- Use application allowlisting on managed Android devices to limit browsing to vetted destinations until patching completes.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
