CVE-2026-7925 Overview
CVE-2026-7925 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Chromoting component of Google Chrome on Windows. Chromoting powers Chrome Remote Desktop functionality. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 148.0.7778.96 and allows a local attacker to escalate privileges to OS level via a malicious file. Google rated the Chromium security severity as High. The issue requires user interaction but no prior authentication, and successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the target host.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can achieve OS-level privilege escalation on Windows endpoints running vulnerable Chrome builds, gaining elevated control over the system.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on Windows prior to 148.0.7778.96
- Microsoft Windows hosts running the affected Chrome builds
- Chrome Remote Desktop (Chromoting) deployments
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-06 - CVE CVE-2026-7925 published to NVD
- 2026-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database
- 2026-05 - Google releases Stable Channel update for Desktop addressing the issue (see Google Chrome Stable Update)
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7925
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chromoting, the component implementing Chrome Remote Desktop. A use-after-free condition occurs when the component references memory after it has been released. An attacker who induces the victim to open or process a malicious file can trigger reuse of freed memory in the Chromoting code path. Because Chromoting interacts with privileged host components on Windows, controlling the freed object enables the attacker to influence execution flow at a higher privilege level than the originating browser context. The result is local privilege escalation to OS level. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for upstream tracking.
Root Cause
The defect is a memory lifetime management error classified under [CWE-416] Use After Free. An object in Chromoting is freed while a dangling reference remains reachable. Subsequent access to that reference operates on memory that may have been reallocated for attacker-controlled data, enabling type confusion or controlled writes during privileged operations.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. The attacker delivers a malicious file that the victim opens or otherwise processes through a Chromoting-related workflow. No authentication is required. After triggering the freed-memory reuse, the attacker leverages the privileged context of Chromoting components on Windows to escalate from user-level execution to OS-level privileges.
No public proof-of-concept code or exploit is currently available for CVE-2026-7925. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details as Google releases them.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7925
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome processes spawning unexpected child processes with elevated tokens on Windows endpoints
- Crashes or unexpected termination of Chromoting host processes (remoting_host.exe, remoting_native_messaging_host.exe) followed by suspicious activity
- Creation or modification of files in Chrome Remote Desktop directories by non-Chrome processes
- Outbound connections from Chromoting components to non-Google infrastructure
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Chrome installations and flag any version below 148.0.7778.96 on Windows hosts
- Monitor for abnormal parent-child relationships involving chrome.exe and Chromoting host binaries
- Alert on integrity-level transitions where Chrome-spawned processes obtain SYSTEM or higher privileges
- Correlate file open events for unusual file types handled by Chrome Remote Desktop with subsequent privilege changes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process creation auditing (Windows Event ID 4688) with command-line logging across endpoints
- Forward Chrome and Chromoting telemetry to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation
- Track Chrome version drift across the fleet using endpoint management telemetry
- Review crash reports for Chromoting components, which can indicate exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7925
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on all Windows endpoints to version 148.0.7778.96 or later
- Restart Chrome after updating to ensure the patched binaries are loaded
- Verify Chrome Remote Desktop host components are updated where deployed
- Block execution of untrusted files delivered via email or web downloads on at-risk endpoints
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-7925 in Chrome 148.0.7778.96 for Windows. Apply the update through Chrome's built-in updater or enterprise deployment tooling. Confirmation and release notes are available in the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory.
Workarounds
- Disable Chrome Remote Desktop host installations where the feature is not required for business operations
- Restrict execution of unknown file types through Windows AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control policies
- Apply the principle of least privilege to user accounts to limit the impact of local exploitation
- Enforce automatic Chrome updates via group policy to reduce exposure windows
# Verify installed Chrome version on Windows (PowerShell)
(Get-Item "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.ProductVersion
# Enforce automatic updates via registry (run as admin)
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v UpdateDefault /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
