CVE-2026-7981: Google Chrome Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-7981 Overview

CVE-2026-7981 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] in the Codecs component of Google Chrome prior to version 148.0.7778.96. A remote attacker can craft a malicious file that, when processed by Chrome, reads memory outside the intended buffer boundary. This allows the attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory. The flaw affects Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms. Google has classified the Chromium security severity as Medium and addressed the issue in the Stable channel update for desktop.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can leak sensitive process memory contents through a malicious media file processed by Chrome's codec subsystem, exposing data such as tokens, pointers, or other in-memory artifacts.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 148.0.7778.96
Chrome desktop builds on Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux
Downstream Chromium-based browsers using the same codec code path

Discovery Timeline

2026-05-06 - CVE-2026-7981 published to NVD
2026-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-7981

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Codecs component of Chrome, which decodes audio and video streams for rendering. An out-of-bounds read [CWE-125] occurs when the decoder accesses memory beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer while parsing a malformed media payload. The condition does not corrupt memory, but it exposes adjacent process memory to attacker-controlled output paths.

Exploitation requires user interaction. A victim must open or navigate to content containing the malicious file, such as visiting a web page that embeds the crafted media. Successful exploitation discloses confidential data from the renderer process. This data can include heap layout information, partial cryptographic material, session identifiers, or pointers usable to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) in chained attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds checking inside the codec parsing routines. When the decoder consumes attacker-supplied length or offset fields from the media container without proper validation, it reads past the end of the allocated buffer. The Chromium issue tracker entry 497926602 documents the underlying defect.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based with required user interaction. An attacker hosts a malicious media file on a website or delivers it through email, chat, or advertising networks. When Chrome's codec subsystem processes the file, the out-of-bounds read leaks memory contents. The attacker then exfiltrates the leaked data through scripted readback channels available to the rendered content.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this issue. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7981

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome browser processes loading media from untrusted origins followed by anomalous outbound network traffic carrying base64 or binary blobs.
Renderer process crashes or sandbox violations logged near the time a malicious media URL is accessed.
Endpoint telemetry showing Chrome versions older than 148.0.7778.96 actively browsing the web.

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome versions across managed endpoints and flag any build below 148.0.7778.96.
Monitor for unusual child process activity or memory access patterns spawned from chrome.exe, Google Chrome, or chrome binaries.
Inspect web proxy and DNS logs for connections to domains hosting unsolicited media content delivered to enterprise users.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable browser version reporting through enterprise management tools and alert on outdated installations.
Capture renderer crash dumps and forward them to a centralized analysis pipeline for triage.
Correlate browser process telemetry with egress traffic to identify potential data exfiltration following media file access.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7981

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 148.0.7778.96 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints.
Restart Chrome on all managed devices to ensure the patched binary is loaded into memory.
Audit Chromium-based browsers such as Edge, Brave, and Opera and apply vendor updates that incorporate the upstream fix.

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the Stable channel update documented in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. Administrators should deploy Chrome 148.0.7778.96 or newer through enterprise update channels, MDM, or package managers. The Chromium upstream fix is tracked in Chromium Issue 497926602.

Workarounds

Restrict access to untrusted websites and media files using web filtering policies until patches are deployed.
Disable autoplay of media content in Chrome enterprise policies to reduce passive exposure.
Apply site isolation and strict sandbox enforcement to limit the scope of memory accessible to a compromised renderer.

bash

# Configuration example: enforce minimum Chrome version via enterprise policy
# Windows registry (HKLM)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v TargetVersionPrefix /t REG_SZ /d "148.0.7778.96" /f

# macOS managed preference
defaults write com.google.Chrome TargetVersionPrefix -string "148.0.7778.96"

# Linux policy file: /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/version.json
# {
#   "TargetVersionPrefix": "148.0.7778.96"
# }