CVE-2026-14043: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-14043 Overview

CVE-2026-14043 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the GetUserMedia implementation of Google Chrome prior to version 150.0.7871.47. A remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process can trigger the flaw through a crafted HTML page and potentially escape the Chrome sandbox. Sandbox escape elevates a compromised renderer into a browser-privileged context, opening the door to broader host access. Google's Chromium team rated the security severity of the underlying bug as Low, while NVD scores the composite impact at 9.6 due to the scope change and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation chains a renderer compromise with a sandbox escape, giving attackers code execution outside the browser sandbox on affected Chrome installations.

Affected Products

Google Chrome Desktop versions prior to 150.0.7871.47
Chromium-based browsers built on affected upstream versions
All operating systems supported by Chrome Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-30 - CVE-2026-14043 published to NVD
2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-14043

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in Chrome's GetUserMedia code path, which handles browser access to media capture devices such as microphones and cameras. A use-after-free condition occurs when the code continues to reference a heap object after that object has been freed. Attackers who reclaim the freed allocation with attacker-controlled data can hijack control flow or corrupt adjacent state. Because GetUserMedia operates across the renderer and browser process boundary, the flaw is positioned to assist a sandbox escape from an already-compromised renderer.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management in the GetUserMedia implementation. A dangling pointer to a freed media-related object remains reachable during subsequent operations. When that pointer is dereferenced, Chrome operates on freed memory, enabling type confusion or controlled write primitives depending on heap layout.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires an attacker to first gain code execution in the renderer process, typically through a separate renderer bug or malicious content. The attacker then delivers a crafted HTML page that drives the GetUserMedia code into the vulnerable state. User interaction is required, consistent with the CVSS UI:R component. Successful exploitation crosses the renderer-to-browser trust boundary, resulting in a scope change and impact on the host beyond the browser tab.

Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Chrome Desktop Update for vendor details. No public proof-of-concept code is available at the time of publication.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14043

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer or browser process crashes referencing GetUserMedia, MediaStream, or WebRTC components in crash telemetry.
Unexpected child process creation from chrome.exe following visits to untrusted sites requesting camera or microphone permissions.
Browser processes writing to or reading from sensitive paths outside their normal profile directories.

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome versions across managed endpoints and flag any host running a Chrome build earlier than 150.0.7871.47.
Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous behavior chains originating from Chrome renderer processes, such as spawning shells, PowerShell, or executing unsigned binaries.
Correlate WebRTC or media capture permission prompts with subsequent process anomalies to identify targeted exploitation attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Chrome enterprise reporting to centralize crash and version data for SOC review.
Ingest browser process telemetry into your SIEM or data lake and build detections for renderer-to-browser boundary anomalies.
Track outbound network activity from Chrome processes for connections that deviate from normal user browsing patterns.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14043

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 150.0.7871.47 or later on all endpoints, including kiosks and virtual desktops.
Force a browser relaunch after update deployment so patched binaries load into memory.
Audit any Chromium-based browsers and extensions in your environment for downstream patch availability.

Patch Information

Google addressed CVE-2026-14043 in the Stable Channel update for Chrome Desktop 150.0.7871.47. Details are available in the Google Chrome Desktop Update release notes. Enterprise administrators should push the update through Chrome Browser Cloud Management, Group Policy, or their standard software distribution channel.

Workarounds

Restrict access to camera and microphone APIs via enterprise policy where feasible until patching completes.
Block untrusted sites from requesting media device permissions using the VideoCaptureAllowedUrls and AudioCaptureAllowedUrls policies.
Enforce site isolation and strict extension controls to reduce the attack surface for renderer compromise.

bash

# Example: enforce Chrome auto-update and disable media capture by default via policy (Linux JSON policy)
cat <<EOF > /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/cve-2026-14043.json
{
  "DefaultAudioCaptureSetting": 2,
  "DefaultVideoCaptureSetting": 2,
  "AudioCaptureAllowedUrls": ["https://trusted.example.com"],
  "VideoCaptureAllowedUrls": ["https://trusted.example.com"],
  "ComponentUpdatesEnabled": true
}
EOF