CVE-2026-7915 Overview
CVE-2026-7915 is a navigation restriction bypass affecting Google Chrome on Android prior to version 148.0.7778.96. The flaw stems from insufficient data validation in the browser's DevTools component. A remote attacker can exploit the issue by serving a crafted HTML page to a targeted user. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to bypass navigation restrictions enforced by the browser. Chromium engineers rated the underlying defect as High severity, while the NVD CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (Medium) due to required user interaction and limited confidentiality impact. Google addressed the issue in the stable channel release published on the Chrome Releases blog.
Critical Impact
A crafted web page can bypass DevTools navigation restrictions in Chrome on Android, exposing mobile users to malicious redirection and content delivery scenarios.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for Android prior to 148.0.7778.96
- Google Android devices running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-based mobile browsers inheriting the vulnerable DevTools component
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-06 - CVE CVE-2026-7915 published to NVD
- 2026-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7915
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the DevTools subsystem of Google Chrome on Android. DevTools enforces navigation restrictions to prevent untrusted content from steering the browser into privileged or otherwise restricted contexts. Insufficient validation of input data permits an attacker to circumvent those restrictions through a crafted HTML page. The classification falls under input validation errors, with the NVD assigning NVD-CWE-noinfo because Google did not publish full root-cause details. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically loading or interacting with the attacker-controlled page in an affected Chrome version.
Root Cause
The defect is improper validation of data processed by DevTools navigation logic. The component fails to fully verify navigation parameters supplied through page-rendered content, allowing an attacker to influence destinations that should be blocked. Google has not disclosed the specific code paths involved. Additional context is available in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network. An attacker hosts or distributes a malicious HTML page and induces a victim using a vulnerable Chrome for Android build to load it. Once the page renders, the crafted content interacts with DevTools logic in a way that defeats navigation restrictions. The attack does not require authentication or elevated privileges, but it does require user interaction. The scope remains unchanged, and only confidentiality is affected at a low level under the published CVSS vector.
No public proof-of-concept code, exploit module, or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. See the Google Chrome Update Announcement for vendor-released details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7915
Indicators of Compromise
- Mobile devices running Chrome for Android builds with version string lower than 148.0.7778.96
- Browser telemetry showing unexpected navigation events originating from DevTools-related contexts
- Inbound traffic to mobile users from URLs hosting unfamiliar HTML payloads referenced in threat intelligence feeds
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome versions across managed Android fleets and flag any below 148.0.7778.96
- Inspect mobile web proxy logs for repeated redirects or navigations that diverge from the originally requested URL
- Correlate user-reported odd browser behavior with visits to recently registered or low-reputation domains
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable mobile threat defense and web filtering on managed Android devices to block suspicious HTML payloads
- Subscribe to the Chrome Releases blog for stable-channel advisories and apply automated patch tracking
- Monitor enterprise mobility management (EMM) reports for Chrome version drift and noncompliant endpoints
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7915
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on Android to version 148.0.7778.96 or later through Google Play
- Push a forced Chrome update policy through Android Enterprise or your mobile device management platform
- Advise users to avoid following unsolicited links on mobile devices until updates are confirmed installed
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Chrome stable channel update referenced in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. The patched build is 148.0.7778.96 for Chrome on Android. Verify the version by navigating to chrome://version on the device.
Workarounds
- Restrict use of Chrome on Android to trusted sites until devices are updated
- Deploy mobile web gateways that filter unknown HTML pages and untrusted domains
- Use alternative, fully patched browsers on managed Android devices where Chrome cannot be immediately updated
# Verify Chrome for Android version via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
# Expected: versionName=148.0.7778.96 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
