CVE-2026-13918: Chrome for iOS Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-13918 Overview

CVE-2026-13918 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Google Chrome for iOS versions prior to 150.0.7871.47. A remote attacker can exploit heap corruption by luring a user to a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution within the browser process context. The vulnerability requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled webpage, but does not require authentication or elevated privileges.

Critical Impact
A crafted HTML page can trigger heap corruption in Chrome for iOS, enabling remote attackers to compromise browser integrity and potentially execute code on the client device.

Affected Products

Google Chrome for iOS versions prior to 150.0.7871.47
Chromium-based iOS browser components sharing the vulnerable code path
Downstream distributions bundling affected Chrome for iOS builds

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13918 published to NVD
2026-07-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-13918

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2026-13918 is classified as a use-after-free condition in Chrome for iOS. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to reference heap memory after that memory has been released. When an attacker controls the timing and content of subsequent heap allocations, the freed region can be reoccupied with attacker-influenced data. Dereferencing the stale pointer then operates on that attacker-controlled data, leading to heap corruption.

Google assigned this issue a Chromium security severity of Medium. The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) currently rates active exploitation likelihood as low. However, Chromium use-after-free issues have historically been leveraged for renderer compromise and sandbox stepping stones, making timely patching important.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper lifecycle management of a heap object within the Chrome for iOS codebase. A component releases an object while another code path retains and later dereferences a pointer to that freed region. Google has not publicly disclosed the specific component. Additional technical context is tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a user to visit a crafted HTML page in a vulnerable Chrome for iOS build. The attacker delivers JavaScript or DOM content that triggers the object free while retaining a reference. Follow-up allocations shape the heap to place controlled data in the freed slot. When the stale pointer is dereferenced, the attacker gains a memory-corruption primitive that can be developed into code execution. No prior authentication is required.

No verified proof-of-concept code has been published. Refer to the Google Chrome Desktop Update advisory for release-level details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13918

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome for iOS clients running versions below 150.0.7871.47 in enterprise device inventories
Unexpected Chrome browser process crashes on iOS devices, particularly with heap corruption signatures
Outbound connections from mobile endpoints to newly registered or low-reputation domains hosting HTML payloads

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome for iOS installations through mobile device management (MDM) and flag builds prior to 150.0.7871.47
Correlate browser crash telemetry with recent web navigation events to identify potential exploitation attempts
Apply network detection rules for known malicious domains distributing browser exploit chains targeting mobile clients

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest MDM inventory data into a SIEM to continuously track Chrome for iOS version compliance
Monitor DNS and web proxy logs for iOS user agents visiting untrusted or newly observed domains
Alert on repeated Chrome for iOS crash reports from the same device or user population

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13918

Immediate Actions Required

Update Chrome for iOS to version 150.0.7871.47 or later on all managed devices
Push the update through MDM policies and enforce compliance deadlines for unmanaged BYOD devices
Communicate the risk to users and instruct them to avoid untrusted links until patched

Patch Information

Google has released a fixed version of Chrome for iOS. Users and administrators should upgrade to version 150.0.7871.47 or later via the Apple App Store. Release notes are published in the Google Chrome Desktop Update blog post, with issue tracking at the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Workarounds

Restrict Chrome for iOS usage on managed devices until the update is applied, directing users to an alternate patched browser
Enforce web filtering policies that block access to untrusted or uncategorized domains from mobile endpoints
Educate users to avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages, email, or social media while the vulnerability remains unpatched

bash

# Verify Chrome for iOS version compliance via MDM query
# Example: query installed app version through Apple MDM InstalledApplicationList command
# Compliant version: 150.0.7871.47 or later