CVE-2026-7358: Google Chrome Use-After-Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-7358 Overview

CVE-2026-7358 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Animation component of Google Chrome prior to version 147.0.7727.138. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox by tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted HTML page. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a dangerous class of memory safety issues that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution within the Chrome sandbox by exploiting this use-after-free condition in the Animation component. User interaction (visiting a malicious page) is required for successful exploitation.

Affected Products

Google Chrome prior to 147.0.7727.138
Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable Animation component versions
Desktop platforms running affected Chrome versions

Discovery Timeline

2026-04-28 - CVE-2026-7358 published to NVD
2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-7358

Vulnerability Analysis

This use-after-free vulnerability exists within the Animation component of Google Chrome's rendering engine. Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, allowing an attacker to potentially control the contents of that memory location. In this case, the Animation component improperly handles object lifetimes during animation processing, creating a window where freed memory can be accessed.

The vulnerability requires user interaction—specifically, the victim must navigate to or be redirected to a malicious webpage containing crafted HTML content designed to trigger the vulnerable code path. Once triggered, an attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox environment.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper memory management in Chrome's Animation component. When processing specific animation sequences, the code fails to properly track object lifetimes, leading to a condition where an animation object is freed while still being referenced elsewhere in the codebase. This dangling pointer can then be exploited when the code attempts to access the freed memory.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to host malicious content on a web server or inject it into a legitimate website. The attack chain proceeds as follows:

Attacker crafts an HTML page with malicious animation content designed to trigger the use-after-free condition
Victim visits the attacker-controlled or compromised webpage
Chrome's Animation component processes the crafted content
The use-after-free condition is triggered, corrupting memory
Attacker achieves code execution within the browser sandbox

While the code executes within Chrome's sandbox (limiting immediate system-level impact), sandbox escapes combined with this vulnerability could lead to full system compromise.

The vulnerability affects the Animation component's handling of object references. When specific animation sequences are processed, an object may be freed prematurely while other parts of the code retain references to it. Subsequent access to this freed memory allows an attacker to potentially control program execution. For detailed technical information, see the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7358

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual Chrome process crashes, particularly during animation-heavy web content rendering
Memory access violations in Chrome logs related to Animation component
Evidence of crafted HTML pages with complex animation sequences in browsing history
Suspicious network traffic to unknown domains serving animation-heavy content

Detection Strategies

Monitor Chrome crash reports for patterns indicating memory corruption in Animation-related code paths
Implement network-level inspection for suspicious HTML content with unusual animation patterns
Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify exploitation attempts targeting browser processes
Utilize browser telemetry to track unusual rendering behavior or crashes

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Chrome crash reporting and forward reports to security monitoring systems
Monitor for rapid process respawning of Chrome renderer processes
Implement alerting on browser memory anomalies detected by endpoint protection solutions
Review web proxy logs for access to newly registered or suspicious domains

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7358

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 147.0.7727.138 or later immediately across all systems
Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely patching of future vulnerabilities
Review and restrict browsing to trusted websites where possible
Ensure endpoint protection solutions are updated with the latest detection signatures

Patch Information

Google has released Chrome version 147.0.7727.138 which addresses this use-after-free vulnerability in the Animation component. The update is available through Chrome's standard update mechanism. Organizations should prioritize deployment of this update given the remote code execution potential. For more details, see the Google Chrome Release Update.

Workarounds

Restrict access to untrusted websites through web filtering solutions until patching is complete
Consider temporarily disabling JavaScript on high-risk systems (may impact functionality)
Implement browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation
Use network segmentation to limit lateral movement potential if exploitation occurs

bash

# Verify Chrome version on Linux/macOS
google-chrome --version
# Expected output should show 147.0.7727.138 or higher

# Force Chrome update check (Windows PowerShell)
# Navigate to chrome://settings/help in browser to trigger update check

# Enterprise deployment - update Chrome via policy
# Ensure the following policy is configured:
# "TargetVersionPrefix": "147.0.7727"