CVE-2026-13923 Overview
CVE-2026-13923 is an uninitialized memory use vulnerability in the GPU component of Google Chrome on Android. Versions prior to 150.0.7871.47 are affected. A remote attacker can craft a malicious HTML page that triggers the flaw and leaks potentially sensitive data from process memory. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled site. The issue is tracked under CWE-457 and was resolved in the Chrome Stable channel update. Chromium classifies the severity as Medium.
Critical Impact
A crafted web page can read uninitialized GPU process memory on Android devices, exposing residual data that may include tokens, pointers, or fragments of user content.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for Android versions prior to 150.0.7871.47
- Google Android platform hosting affected Chrome builds
- Chromium-based browsers reusing the vulnerable GPU code path
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13923 published to NVD
- 2026-07-01 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13923
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's GPU process on Android. The code path reads a memory region before it is fully initialized with defined values. When the browser processes graphics operations requested by a crafted HTML page, the uninitialized bytes are consumed and can be reflected back to the attacker through observable side effects such as rendered pixel data or JavaScript-accessible outputs. The result is an information disclosure primitive scoped to the GPU process address space. The attack is network-reachable and requires the user to load attacker-controlled content. Confidentiality is impacted, while integrity and availability remain intact.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified under [CWE-457] Use of Uninitialized Variable. A code path in the GPU component allocates or references a buffer, structure field, or stack variable without setting a deterministic initial value. Subsequent operations treat the region as valid data. Because GPU processes handle shared surfaces and pipeline state derived from multiple origins, the leaked bytes may originate from unrelated allocations previously held in the process heap or stack frame.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is remote and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that issues specific WebGL, Canvas, or related graphics API calls designed to trigger the uninitialized read. The victim navigates to the page using a vulnerable Chrome build on Android. The attacker then reads the leaked data through timing signals, pixel readback, or JavaScript-accessible buffers. No authentication or elevated privileges are required.
No public proof-of-concept has been released. Technical specifics are tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Chrome Update Blog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13923
Indicators of Compromise
- Android devices running Chrome versions earlier than 150.0.7871.47
- Browser telemetry showing navigation to unfamiliar domains that host WebGL-heavy or canvas-heavy pages
- Unusual GPU process crashes or renderer instability correlated with specific site visits
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across managed Android fleets and flag builds below 150.0.7871.47
- Monitor mobile device management (MDM) reports for delayed browser updates
- Correlate web proxy logs with threat intelligence feeds to identify access to pages abusing graphics APIs
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enterprise reporting from Chrome to capture version and crash telemetry
- Track outbound connections from managed Android endpoints to newly registered or low-reputation domains
- Review DNS and HTTP logs for repeated visits to sites hosting suspicious WebGL payloads
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13923
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Chrome on Android to version 150.0.7871.47 or later through the Google Play Store
- Push forced browser updates via MDM policies for enrolled Android devices
- Restrict access to untrusted web content on high-risk devices until patching is confirmed
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel. Users and administrators should upgrade to 150.0.7871.47 or later. Details are published in the Google Chrome Update Blog and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Workarounds
- Avoid loading untrusted HTML content in Chrome on Android until the update is applied
- Disable hardware acceleration where operationally acceptable to reduce reliance on the vulnerable GPU code paths
- Use enterprise browser policies to block navigation to unvetted domains on managed devices
# Verify Chrome version on an Android device via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
