CVE-2026-13849 Overview
CVE-2026-13849 is an input validation vulnerability in the Chromoting component of Google Chrome on Windows. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.47. A local attacker can trigger the issue by delivering a malicious file, potentially leading to a sandbox escape. Google's Chromium security team rated the underlying issue as High severity. The weakness is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to break out of the Chrome sandbox on Windows, gaining broader access to the host from a browser-confined context.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on Windows prior to 150.0.7871.47
- Microsoft Windows hosts running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromoting (Chrome Remote Desktop) component within Chrome
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13849 published to NVD
- 2026-07-01 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13849
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chromoting, the component that underpins Chrome Remote Desktop functionality. Chromoting fails to sufficiently validate untrusted input supplied through a malicious file. When Chrome processes the crafted input on Windows, the missing validation allows an attacker to influence execution paths that cross the browser sandbox boundary.
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, since the attacker must deliver and cause the target to open a malicious file. The scope is changed, meaning the impact extends beyond the vulnerable sandboxed process and into the host operating system. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system are all at risk after a successful escape.
Sandbox escapes in Chrome are significant because the browser sandbox is the primary containment boundary between untrusted web content and the operating system. Bypassing it removes the isolation that limits damage from other browser bugs.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation [CWE-20] within Chromoting on Windows. The component accepts attacker-controlled data from a file without enforcing the constraints required to keep the parsing and processing logic within safe boundaries. This lets crafted input reach code paths that operate with privileges outside the renderer sandbox.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. An attacker delivers a malicious file to the victim through channels such as email, download links, or removable media. When the file is opened in a context handled by Chromoting on a vulnerable Chrome for Windows build, the insufficient validation triggers the sandbox escape. No specific public proof-of-concept, exploit, or CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing is associated with CVE-2026-13849 at the time of publication. See the Google Chrome Update Announcement and Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for vendor details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13849
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome processes on Windows spawning unexpected child processes outside the standard renderer or utility sandbox hierarchy.
- Chromoting or remoting_host related binaries reading or writing files outside their normal working directories.
- Delivery of unsolicited files intended to be opened by Chrome or Chrome Remote Desktop components.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory endpoints running Chrome on Windows and flag any version earlier than 150.0.7871.47.
- Monitor for anomalous process lineage where Chrome sandboxed processes launch non-browser executables or perform token manipulation.
- Correlate file open events in Chromoting with subsequent privileged operations on the host.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable endpoint telemetry that captures process creation, command lines, and parent-child relationships for chrome.exe and remoting_host.exe.
- Alert on Chrome Remote Desktop configuration changes or unexpected host installations on user workstations.
- Track Chrome version compliance centrally and generate alerts when hosts fall behind the fixed build.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13849
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on all Windows endpoints to version 150.0.7871.47 or later.
- Restart Chrome after the update so the new binaries are loaded across all user sessions.
- Audit installations of Chrome Remote Desktop and remove the component from systems that do not require it.
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel update announced in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. The corresponding Chromium issue is tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry. Administrators should confirm the deployed build is 150.0.7871.47 or later on Windows.
Workarounds
- Restrict users from opening untrusted files delivered from external sources until the patch is deployed.
- Disable or uninstall Chrome Remote Desktop on hosts where Chromoting is not required.
- Enforce application allowlisting to limit execution of unexpected binaries spawned from browser processes.
# Verify installed Chrome version on Windows (PowerShell)
(Get-Item "$Env:ProgramFiles\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.ProductVersion
# Enforce minimum version via Chrome Enterprise policy (registry)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v TargetVersionPrefix /t REG_SZ /d "150.0.7871.47" /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
