CVE-2026-13848: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-13848 Overview

CVE-2026-13848 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Forms component of Google Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.47. A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code inside the renderer sandbox by tricking a user into loading a crafted HTML page. Google classifies the Chromium security severity as High. The vulnerability affects Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically visiting an attacker-controlled or compromised web page. No public proof-of-concept exists, and the flaw is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog at the time of publication.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution within the Chrome renderer sandbox by luring users to a crafted HTML page, providing a foothold for sandbox escape chains.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.47
Google Chrome on Microsoft Windows
Google Chrome on Apple macOS and Linux

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13848 published to NVD
2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-13848

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw is a use-after-free condition [CWE-416] in Chrome's Forms implementation within the Blink rendering engine. Use-after-free bugs occur when code continues to reference memory after it has been freed. An attacker who controls the freed memory region can influence dangling pointer dereferences to hijack control flow. In the Forms component, HTML form elements and their associated DOM objects are the likely targets of manipulation.

Successful exploitation grants arbitrary code execution inside the renderer process. The renderer runs inside the Chromium sandbox, so an attacker typically chains this bug with a separate sandbox escape to compromise the host. The attack requires user interaction, meaning the victim must navigate to a page hosting the exploit.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management in the Forms code path. When script or DOM operations mutate form element state, an object reference is retained after the underlying allocation is freed. Subsequent access to the dangling pointer allows an attacker to control freed heap contents and steer execution. Chromium tracks the underlying defect in the Chromium Issue Tracker entry 517345069.

Attack Vector

Delivery is entirely network-based through a crafted HTML page. An attacker hosts malicious JavaScript and HTML that manipulate form elements to trigger the use-after-free. The page can be delivered through phishing, malvertising, watering hole compromise, or an iframe embedded in a trusted site. No authentication is required, but the victim must load the page in a vulnerable Chrome build.

See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details as they are disclosed.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13848

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer processes crashing with signatures referencing Blink Forms code or heap corruption on domains recently visited by the user.
Outbound connections from chrome.exe child renderer processes to previously unseen or low-reputation domains immediately after browsing activity.
Creation of unexpected child processes spawned by Chrome shortly after a page load, indicating a potential sandbox escape chain.

Detection Strategies

Inventory endpoints and identify installations of Chrome at versions earlier than 150.0.7871.47 using software asset management or EDR telemetry.
Hunt for anomalous process lineage where chrome.exe renderer children write to disk, load unusual DLLs, or invoke cmd.exe or powershell.exe.
Correlate web proxy logs with endpoint execution telemetry to identify users who visited suspicious URLs prior to Chrome instability events.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on Chrome crash dumps generated during Forms interaction and preserve them for reverse engineering.
Monitor DNS and HTTP telemetry for newly registered domains serving heavy JavaScript payloads to Chrome user agents.
Track Chrome auto-update status across the fleet to confirm patched builds are rolling out within enforcement windows.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13848

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 150.0.7871.47 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
Force-restart Chrome after updates apply, as the patch does not take effect while old renderer processes remain running.
Validate that Chromium-based enterprise browsers built on affected upstream versions have received the corresponding patch from their vendors.

Patch Information

Google addressed the flaw in the Stable channel release documented in the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory. Administrators should ensure Chrome auto-update is enabled or push the update through enterprise management tooling such as Chrome Browser Cloud Management, Microsoft Intune, or Jamf.

Workarounds

Restrict browsing to known-good domains through web proxy allowlists until patches are deployed.
Deploy Chrome enterprise policies to disable JavaScript on untrusted sites for high-risk user groups as a temporary measure.
Encourage users to switch to an alternative patched browser for general browsing until Chrome fleet-wide remediation is confirmed.

bash

# Verify Chrome version on Linux/macOS endpoints
google-chrome --version

# Windows: query installed Chrome version via registry
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Update\Clients\{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}" /v pv

# Force Chrome update on managed Linux hosts
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade google-chrome-stable