CVE-2026-13980 Overview
CVE-2026-13980 affects Google Chrome for iOS versions prior to 150.0.7871.47. The vulnerability stems from an inappropriate implementation in the iOS browser that allows a remote attacker to perform user interface (UI) spoofing through a crafted HTML page. Google classifies the Chromium security severity as Medium, and the flaw maps to CWE-451: User Interface Misrepresentation of Critical Information.
Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled web page. Successful spoofing can mislead users about the origin or trustworthiness of displayed content, enabling phishing and credential theft scenarios.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can craft HTML pages that spoof browser UI elements on Chrome for iOS, deceiving users into trusting malicious content presented as legitimate.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for iOS prior to version 150.0.7871.47
- Apple iPhone OS running vulnerable Chrome builds
- All Chromium-derived iOS builds sharing the affected implementation
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-13980 published to NVD
- 2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-13980
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome for iOS logic that renders or displays browser interface elements alongside untrusted web content. An attacker who controls a web page can craft HTML that causes Chrome to misrepresent security-relevant UI. This category of flaw, tracked under CWE-451, undermines the visual trust boundary between browser chrome and page content.
Because the attack targets user perception rather than memory safety, exploitation does not yield code execution or data leakage on its own. Instead, it enables downstream social engineering, most commonly phishing pages that impersonate trusted sites, address bars, or permission prompts.
The EPSS probability is 0.204% at the 10.468 percentile, indicating a low near-term exploitation likelihood at time of publication. No public proof-of-concept, exploit database entry, or CISA KEV listing exists for this issue.
Root Cause
Chrome for iOS did not adequately isolate rendered page content from trust-conveying UI states before version 150.0.7871.47. A crafted document can influence what a user believes about the current origin, security indicators, or dialog provenance. The underlying weakness is a specification-level implementation defect rather than a memory corruption bug.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction. A victim must navigate to an attacker-controlled URL in a vulnerable Chrome for iOS build. Once loaded, the crafted HTML manipulates UI presentation to spoof a legitimate origin or dialog. Attackers typically deliver the URL through phishing email, malicious ads, or compromised sites. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for implementation-specific details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-13980
Indicators of Compromise
- User reports of Chrome for iOS pages that appear to originate from trusted domains but request unexpected credentials or permissions.
- Web proxy logs showing iOS Chrome sessions visiting newly registered domains hosting HTML resembling banking, SaaS, or identity provider login flows.
- Mobile device management (MDM) inventory data revealing Chrome for iOS versions below 150.0.7871.47 in active use.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome for iOS versions across managed devices and flag any build earlier than 150.0.7871.47.
- Correlate URL reputation feeds with iOS Chrome traffic to surface visits to phishing infrastructure that could leverage UI spoofing.
- Monitor authentication systems for credential submissions originating from iOS Chrome sessions immediately after visits to unknown domains.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable browser telemetry through MDM to capture Chrome for iOS version data at each check-in.
- Route mobile web traffic through an inspecting proxy or secure web gateway to identify suspicious HTML patterns.
- Track user-reported phishing incidents that reference iOS Chrome and cross-reference against unpatched device populations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-13980
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Chrome for iOS to version 150.0.7871.47 or later through the Apple App Store on all managed and personal devices.
- Push the update through MDM policies where supported, and enforce minimum browser versions for corporate resource access.
- Notify users about the risk of UI spoofing and reinforce verification of URLs before entering credentials on mobile browsers.
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-13980 in Chrome for iOS 150.0.7871.47. Details are published in the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory. The corresponding Chromium bug is tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to sensitive corporate applications from iOS Chrome builds below 150.0.7871.47 using conditional access policies.
- Direct users to Safari or a patched browser for high-risk transactions until Chrome for iOS is updated.
- Deploy DNS or secure web gateway filtering to block known phishing domains that abuse UI spoofing techniques.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
