CVE-2026-6362 Overview
CVE-2026-6362 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Codecs component of Google Chrome prior to version 147.0.7727.101. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to potentially perform out-of-bounds memory access by enticing a user to open a specially crafted video file. The vulnerability was classified with high security severity by the Chromium security team.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this use-after-free vulnerability to achieve out-of-bounds memory access through malicious video content, potentially leading to code execution or information disclosure.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome prior to version 147.0.7727.101
- Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable Codecs component
- Desktop platforms running affected Chrome versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-15 - CVE-2026-6362 published to NVD
- 2026-04-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-6362
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a memory corruption flaw that occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed. In the context of Google Chrome's Codecs component, this vulnerability manifests during video file processing operations.
When Chrome processes specially crafted video content, the Codecs component may incorrectly reference memory that has already been deallocated. This creates a dangerous condition where the freed memory region could be reallocated for other purposes, allowing an attacker to manipulate the contents of that memory space before it is accessed again by the vulnerable code path.
The network-based attack vector requires user interaction, as victims must be convinced to open or view malicious video content. Once triggered, successful exploitation could result in unauthorized memory access, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive data, corrupt memory, or achieve arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox.
Root Cause
The root cause is a use-after-free condition in Chrome's Codecs component where memory is accessed after it has been freed during video processing operations. This occurs due to improper lifecycle management of objects within the codec handling routines, where references to freed memory objects are not properly invalidated before subsequent access attempts.
Attack Vector
The attack is delivered over the network and requires user interaction. An attacker would craft a malicious video file designed to trigger the use-after-free condition in the Codecs component. The victim must be enticed to view this video content, typically through social engineering tactics such as embedding the malicious video in a webpage or sending it directly to the target.
The vulnerability manifests during the video decoding process where improperly managed memory references allow access to freed memory regions. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Chrome Update Announcement.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-6362
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual Chrome renderer process crashes or instability when processing video content
- Unexpected memory access violations logged in browser crash reports
- Anomalous network traffic patterns indicating exploitation attempts via malicious video delivery
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for Chrome versions prior to 147.0.7727.101 across managed endpoints
- Implement endpoint detection rules to identify suspicious video file processing behavior
- Deploy network-level content inspection to detect potentially malicious video file delivery
- Utilize browser telemetry to identify crash patterns consistent with memory corruption exploitation
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enhanced logging for Chrome browser processes to capture codec-related exceptions
- Monitor web proxy logs for requests to untrusted sources delivering video content
- Implement asset inventory tracking to identify systems running vulnerable Chrome versions
- Configure SIEM alerts for patterns indicating browser exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-6362
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 147.0.7727.101 or later immediately
- Ensure automatic updates are enabled for Chrome across all managed systems
- Advise users to avoid opening video content from untrusted sources until patched
- Verify Chromium-based browsers are also updated to include the security fix
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 147.0.7727.101. The fix resolves the use-after-free condition in the Codecs component by implementing proper memory lifecycle management. Organizations should deploy this update through their standard patch management processes. For official patch details, see the Google Chrome Update Announcement.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to untrusted video content until patches can be applied
- Consider using browser isolation technologies for high-risk browsing activities
- Implement network-level filtering to block potentially malicious video file types from untrusted sources
- Enable Chrome's Site Isolation feature if not already active for additional protection
# Verify Chrome version on Linux/macOS
google-chrome --version
# Force Chrome update check via command line
google-chrome --check-for-update-interval=1
# Enterprise deployment: Update Chrome via package manager (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade google-chrome-stable
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
