CVE-2026-7976: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-7976 Overview

CVE-2026-7976 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Views component of Google Chrome prior to version 148.0.7778.96. An attacker who convinces a user to install a malicious Chrome extension can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-416] (Use After Free) and affects Chrome installations across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution within the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise through a crafted Chrome extension.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 148.0.7778.96
Chrome installations on Microsoft Windows
Chrome installations on Apple macOS and Linux

Discovery Timeline

2026-05-06 - CVE-2026-7976 published to NVD
2026-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-7976

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Views component of Chromium, which manages the browser's user interface elements and rendering hierarchy. A use-after-free condition occurs when the Views subsystem references memory that has already been freed, allowing an attacker to manipulate the freed memory region with attacker-controlled data.

Exploitation requires user interaction. The attacker must convince the victim to install a malicious Chrome extension crafted to trigger the flawed code path. Once loaded, the extension can manipulate Views objects to dereference freed memory and gain control of execution flow within the browser process.

Google classified the Chromium security severity as Medium, while the assigned CVSS rating reflects high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high attack complexity.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management within the Views component. When a Views object is destroyed, lingering references remain valid in adjacent code paths. Subsequent access to these dangling pointers triggers the use-after-free condition, enabling memory corruption.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based but requires user interaction in the form of malicious extension installation. Attackers typically distribute weaponized extensions through social engineering, typosquatted developer accounts, or compromised legitimate extensions. Once installed, the extension executes the exploitation logic against the vulnerable Views code path without further user action.

No verified public exploit code is available for this vulnerability. The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7976

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Chrome extensions installed outside of approved enterprise policy, particularly those with broad host permissions or scripting capabilities.
Chrome process crashes or anomalous renderer/browser process behavior shortly after extension installation.
Unusual child processes spawned by chrome.exe or outbound network connections originating from the browser process to unrecognized infrastructure.

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome extensions across managed endpoints and compare against an allowlist of approved extension IDs.
Monitor Chrome version telemetry to identify endpoints running versions prior to 148.0.7778.96.
Hunt for extension manifest files (manifest.json) loaded from non-standard paths or sideloaded outside the Chrome Web Store.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable enterprise Chrome management policies to log extension installations and force-list approved extensions.
Forward Chrome browser telemetry and process events to a centralized SIEM for correlation against known malicious extension indicators.
Track Chromium security release announcements via the Google Chrome Update Announcement feed.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7976

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 148.0.7778.96 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
Audit installed extensions and remove any unapproved or unknown extensions from managed devices.
Restrict extension installation through Chrome enterprise policies, allowing only vetted extensions.

Patch Information

Google released the fix in Chrome stable channel version 148.0.7778.96. Refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement for full release details and platform-specific build identifiers.

Workarounds

Apply the ExtensionInstallBlocklist policy set to * and use ExtensionInstallAllowlist to permit only required extensions.
Disable developer mode in Chrome to prevent sideloading of unpacked extensions.
Educate users on extension installation risks and require security review before approving new extensions.

bash

# Configuration example: Chrome enterprise policy to block all extensions except an allowlist
# Windows registry path:
# HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallBlocklist\1 = "*"
# HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallAllowlist\1 = "<approved-extension-id>"

# Linux/macOS managed policy JSON
{
  "ExtensionInstallBlocklist": ["*"],
  "ExtensionInstallAllowlist": ["approved-extension-id-here"],
  "DeveloperToolsAvailability": 2
}