CVE-2026-13827: Chrome macOS Updater Use-After-Free Privilege Escalation

Technical summary

CVE-2026-13827 is a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in the Updater subsystem of Google Chrome on macOS. The flaw permits a local, unauthenticated attacker to achieve privilege escalation through a malicious file. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 (HIGH severity) with a vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating low attack complexity, no privilege requirements, but requiring user interaction. The underlying defect allows memory to be referenced after it has been freed, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges.

Business impact

Successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the affected macOS system. An attacker gaining privilege escalation can install persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system files, or pivot to other systems on the network. For organizations with mixed-OS environments, this risk is localized to macOS endpoints but still represents a critical control gap if not patched. Users working with confidential data or on security-sensitive systems face heightened risk of data breach and credential theft.

Affected systems

Google Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.47 on Apple macOS are affected. The vulnerability requires local system access, making it most relevant to organizations managing shared computing environments, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, or endpoints accessible to non-admin users. macOS versions are not inherently affected; the flaw is Chrome-specific.

Exploitability

Exploitation is feasible but not trivial. An attacker must first gain local access to the target machine and then craft or deliver a malicious file that triggers the use-after-free condition when processed by Chrome's Updater. User interaction is required—the victim must open or interact with the malicious file. The vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating no evidence of active, widespread exploitation in the wild as of the publication date. However, the simplicity of the attack vector and the high-value outcome (privilege escalation) make this an attractive target for targeted campaigns.

Remediation

Update Google Chrome to version 150.0.7871.47 or later. On managed macOS environments, deploy this update via endpoint management tools or enforce auto-update policies. For organizations unable to update immediately, implement access controls restricting Chrome usage to trusted users, disable file association for suspicious file types, and monitor for abnormal process elevation attempts. User awareness training should emphasize not opening files from untrusted sources.

Patch guidance

Google Chrome's auto-update mechanism typically deploys patches within days of release. Administrators should verify that Chrome is set to auto-update and that systems are rebooting or restarting the browser to complete the update cycle. Verify the installed version via Chrome menu > About Chrome; the browser will report the current version and check for updates automatically. For enterprise deployments, consult Google's official Chrome release notes and security advisories to confirm patch availability and deployment procedures. Test patches in a limited environment before broad rollout to ensure compatibility with organizational workflows.

Detection guidance

Monitor for signs of privilege escalation following Chrome interaction: unusual process spawning from the Chrome updater process (e.g., com.google.Chrome.update), unexpected sudo or elevated execution events, and file creation in system-protected directories from standard user accounts. Log and alert on failed and successful authentication attempts immediately following Chrome updater activity. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions should flag suspicious inter-process communication or memory access patterns in the Chrome Updater process. Check Chrome crash logs and system logs for indicators of memory corruption or abnormal termination of the updater service.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits high priority due to its high CVSS score (7.8), the severity of privilege escalation, and the prevalence of Chrome on macOS systems in enterprise and personal use. The requirement for user interaction and local access reduces immediate blast radius compared to network-based flaws, but the ease of deployment (a malicious file) and high success impact justify rapid patching. Organizations should prioritize this patch if Chrome is widely deployed on macOS and users have elevated file-handling permissions.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high severity due to the complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H, I:H, A:H) achievable through privilege escalation. Attack vector is local (AV:L), attack complexity is low (AC:L), no special privileges are needed to trigger the vulnerability (PR:N), but user interaction is required (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U)—the impact is confined to the affected system, not adjacent systems. The score appropriately captures the serious but not network-wide threat profile.

Frequently asked questions