CVE-2026-13927 Overview
CVE-2026-13927 affects Google Chrome on Android in versions prior to 150.0.7871.47. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of untrusted input in the browser's user interface component. A local attacker can leverage a malicious file to trigger privilege escalation on the affected device. Chromium's security team rated the internal severity as Medium, while the National Vulnerability Database assigned a higher CVSS score of 7.8 due to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The flaw is tracked under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, typically the opening or handling of an attacker-supplied file on the Android device.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can achieve privilege escalation on Android devices running vulnerable Chrome versions by delivering a crafted file that Chrome's UI processes without adequate validation.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for Android versions prior to 150.0.7871.47
- Google Android platform hosting the vulnerable Chrome build
- Chromium-based components sharing the affected UI validation logic
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13927 published to NVD
- 2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13927
Vulnerability Analysis
The issue resides in Chrome's Android UI layer, where user-supplied file input reaches sensitive code paths without sufficient sanity checks. Improper input validation [CWE-20] allows attacker-controlled data to influence UI state transitions that carry elevated privileges. Because the attack vector is local and requires user interaction, exploitation typically involves social engineering to induce the victim to open a malicious file. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that a successful attacker gains meaningful control beyond Chrome's sandbox boundary on Android. The EPSS score of 0.12% suggests low observed exploitation likelihood at publication, but the local privilege escalation outcome makes the flaw relevant for hardened mobile fleets.
Root Cause
Chrome's UI code path accepts file-derived input without enforcing strict validation on structure, type, or origin. This gap enables an attacker-controlled file to steer the UI into a state that the code assumes only privileged contexts can produce. The defect maps directly to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Attack Vector
An attacker delivers a crafted file to the target device through email, messaging apps, downloads, or shared storage. When the victim opens or previews the file within Chrome on Android, the vulnerable UI code processes attacker-controlled fields. The resulting state confusion allows the attacker to perform actions at a higher privilege level than the delivering context should permit. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Chrome Release Notes for vendor detail.
No verified public exploit code is available at the time of writing. Refer to the linked Chromium issue tracker for authoritative technical detail once Google removes access restrictions.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13927
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome for Android build strings below 150.0.7871.47 reported by mobile device management (MDM) inventory feeds.
- Unexpected file handler invocations where Chrome opens attacker-delivered files from messaging apps or external storage.
- Post-exploit artifacts such as new privileged processes, unexpected package installations, or altered Chrome preferences on Android.
Detection Strategies
- Query mobile inventory data for Chrome versions predating 150.0.7871.47 and flag non-compliant devices.
- Correlate Android application logs with file-open events originating from untrusted sources shortly before privilege-sensitive activity.
- Alert on Chrome-spawned child activity that deviates from baseline behavior on managed Android endpoints.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Chrome auto-update status across the Android fleet and escalate devices that fail to receive 150.0.7871.47 or later.
- Monitor file-sharing channels (email attachments, chat platforms, cloud storage) for unusual file types delivered to mobile users.
- Review MDM compliance reports on a scheduled cadence to confirm patched Chrome builds in production.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13927
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on Android to version 150.0.7871.47 or later through the Google Play Store.
- Force Chrome updates on managed devices using MDM policies where auto-update is disabled or delayed.
- Restrict installation of untrusted files and enable Google Play Protect scanning across the Android fleet.
Patch Information
Google addressed the flaw in Chrome for Android 150.0.7871.47. The fix is delivered through the stable channel, as documented in the Google Chrome Release Notes. Administrators should confirm rollout through Google Play managed configurations and validate installed versions via MDM reporting.
Workarounds
- Instruct users to avoid opening files from unknown senders within Chrome until the update is applied.
- Limit Chrome's default handling of high-risk file types through Android app permission controls.
- Isolate unpatched devices from sensitive corporate resources until they report a compliant Chrome build.
# Verify Chrome for Android version via adb
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
# Expected output should show versionName=150.0.7871.47 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
