CVE-2026-7987: Google Chrome Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2026-7987 Overview

CVE-2026-7987 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the WebRTC component of Google Chrome prior to version 148.0.7778.96. A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code inside the Chrome sandbox by enticing a user to visit a crafted HTML page. The flaw affects Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Google addressed the issue in a Stable Channel update for desktop. While Google rated the underlying Chromium issue as Medium severity, the CVSS 3.1 score reflects the high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability when successful exploitation occurs through user interaction.

Critical Impact
A remote attacker can trigger arbitrary code execution within the Chrome renderer sandbox by serving a crafted HTML page that abuses WebRTC memory management.

Affected Products

Google Chrome versions prior to 148.0.7778.96
Chrome desktop builds on Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux
Chromium-based applications embedding the vulnerable WebRTC component

Discovery Timeline

2026-05-06 - CVE-2026-7987 published to NVD
2026-05-06 - Last updated in NVD database
2026-05 - Google releases Stable Channel update for desktop addressing the issue

Technical Details for CVE-2026-7987

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in WebRTC, the real-time communication stack Chrome uses for audio, video, and data channels in the browser. A use-after-free condition occurs when code references heap memory after that memory has been freed, allowing an attacker to influence the contents at the dangling pointer's location. In Chrome, exploitation of such flaws in renderer-side components typically yields code execution within the renderer process. The Chromium issue tracker entry 498696266 documents the underlying defect, and Google distributed the fix through the Stable Channel update for desktop.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper object lifetime management within WebRTC. An object is freed while another code path retains a pointer to it, and a subsequent dereference operates on memory that the allocator may have reused. The CWE-416 classification confirms this lifecycle defect. WebRTC's asynchronous callbacks, threading model, and frequent transitions between JavaScript and native code make object lifetime tracking error-prone, which is consistent with prior use-after-free defects in the same component.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the victim to load attacker-controlled web content. A crafted HTML page invokes WebRTC APIs in a sequence that triggers the freed-object access. The attacker shapes the heap so that the freed slot contains attacker-influenced data, then forces the dereference to gain control of program flow. Because the attack targets the renderer process, code execution is initially confined to the Chrome sandbox, and a separate sandbox escape would be required to fully compromise the host. The vulnerability is reachable over the network with low complexity and requires user interaction in the form of visiting the malicious page.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released for CVE-2026-7987. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details once Google removes access restrictions.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7987

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected Chrome renderer crashes referencing WebRTC modules in crash dumps or chrome://crashes
Outbound WebRTC signaling or STUN/TURN traffic from endpoints to unknown infrastructure shortly after a browsing session
Spawned child processes or file writes originating from a Chrome renderer process on hosts running unpatched Chrome builds

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome versions across the fleet and flag any build older than 148.0.7778.96
Monitor browser process telemetry for anomalous renderer behavior such as unexpected memory allocations, code execution patterns, or process injection attempts
Correlate browser crash events with subsequent suspicious process activity to surface possible exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest endpoint and browser telemetry into a central data lake for retroactive hunting against Chrome versions and crash signatures
Alert on Chrome renderer processes spawning shells, scripting hosts, or LOLBins, which would indicate post-exploitation activity following a sandbox escape
Track web proxy logs for users visiting newly registered domains hosting WebRTC-heavy content

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7987

Immediate Actions Required

Update Chrome to version 148.0.7778.96 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
Force-restart Chrome after the update so the patched binary is loaded into memory
Audit Chromium-based applications and Electron builds that embed WebRTC and apply vendor updates that incorporate the fix

Patch Information

Google published the fix in the Stable Channel update for desktop. Administrators should consult the Google Chrome Update Notice for full release notes and deploy version 148.0.7778.96 or later through enterprise update channels such as Group Policy, Jamf, or package managers.

Workarounds

Restrict access to untrusted websites through web proxy categorization and DNS filtering until patching is complete
Disable WebRTC on managed Chrome installations using enterprise policy where business workflows allow it
Apply site isolation and strict third-party content controls to limit exposure of the renderer to attacker-controlled HTML

bash

# Verify Chrome version on Linux endpoints
google-chrome --version

# Windows: query installed Chrome version via registry
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Update\Clients\{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}" /v pv

# macOS: read CFBundleShortVersionString
defaults read "/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Info.plist" CFBundleShortVersionString