CVE-2026-14025: Chrome Use-After-Free Vulnerability on macOS

Technical summary

CVE-2026-14025 is a use-after-free (CWE-416) memory safety vulnerability in the Views subsystem of Chromium-based Chrome on macOS. The flaw arises when the browser deallocates a memory object but retains a pointer to it; subsequent operations on that stale pointer can corrupt heap memory. An attacker hosting a crafted HTML page can induce this condition through specific user interface gestures. While Chromium classified this as Low severity, the CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (HIGH) reflects the potential for arbitrary code execution if heap layout conditions align favorably. The vulnerability exists in Chrome versions before 150.0.7871.47 on Apple macOS.

Business impact

The potential for remote code execution within the browser process poses a direct risk to users accessing untrusted content. An attacker could exfiltrate sensitive data stored in the browser—credentials, session tokens, cached information—or use the compromised process as a foothold for further system compromise. Organizations relying on Chrome as a primary enterprise browser should assess the user population accessing external websites and prioritize patching. The user-interaction requirement moderates immediate risk but does not eliminate it, especially in phishing or social-engineering scenarios where attackers lure users to malicious sites.

Affected systems

Google Chrome on Apple macOS running version 149 and earlier are vulnerable. The scope is limited to macOS; the vulnerability is specific to the platform-dependent Views implementation. Chrome on Windows and Linux are not affected by this particular issue. Organizations should verify whether macOS users represent a material portion of their Chrome user base and prioritize updates for those systems.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires a user to visit an attacker-controlled or compromised website and engage in specific UI gestures (e.g., clicking, dragging, or hovering on elements embedded in the malicious page). The attack does not require a user to install software or grant special permissions; the triggering actions are innocuous-looking interactions. However, the attacker must predict or engineer the exact gesture sequence and heap state, making exploitation non-trivial but feasible. The vulnerability is not currently listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, suggesting no widespread in-the-wild exploitation has been publicly confirmed at the time of disclosure.

Remediation

Update Google Chrome on macOS to version 150.0.7871.47 or later. This patch version addresses the use-after-free condition in the Views component. Users should enable automatic updates in Chrome settings to receive patches promptly. For organizations managing Chrome deployments, verify the updated version against Google's release notes and test in a staging environment before pushing to all users.

Patch guidance

Patches are available in Chrome version 150.0.7871.47 and subsequent releases. Most users running Chrome with automatic updates enabled will receive the patch automatically within days. macOS users on enterprise managed deployments should coordinate with IT teams to validate and deploy the update. Verify the installed Chrome version via Settings > About Google Chrome, which will also trigger an immediate update check. For Chromebook deployments, patches roll out through automatic updates managed by Google.

Detection guidance

Monitor for Chrome process crashes or unexpected terminations on macOS systems, particularly during browsing sessions or after visiting unfamiliar websites. Check Chrome's crash reports (chrome://crashes) for memory-related faults. At the network level, identify users accessing unusual or newly registered domains. Endpoint detection tools should flag any exploitation attempts as unusual heap corruption patterns or unexpected code execution within the Chrome sandbox. Monitor Chrome update status across the organization to identify systems lagging on version 150.0.7871.47.

Why prioritize this

Although the vulnerability requires user interaction and is not yet exploited in the wild, the HIGH CVSS score (8.8) and potential for remote code execution justify immediate prioritization. macOS users should patch within one to two weeks, particularly those regularly accessing external websites or those targeted by phishing campaigns. The low barrier to user interaction (visiting a webpage and clicking) and the breadth of potential attack surfaces make this a meaningful risk despite the current lack of KEV inclusion.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects a HIGH-severity vulnerability: network-accessible (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no authentication required (PR:N), but contingent on user interaction (UI:R). The impact is severe—confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all compromised (C:H, I:H, A:H)—reflecting the potential for arbitrary code execution within the browser process. The Chromium project's own assessment of Low severity likely accounts for mitigating factors such as sandboxing and the need for specific gestures; however, the CVSS vector properly emphasizes the critical nature of successful exploitation.

Frequently asked questions