CVE-2026-13282 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2026
Use after free in Payments in Google Chrome on Android prior to 149.0.7827.201 allowed a local attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via physical access to the device. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the payment handling subsystem of Google Chrome for Android platforms. The flaw exists within the memory management routines that process payment transactions, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate heap memory structures through improper deallocation followed by subsequent access to freed memory locations. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when program logic fails to properly track object lifetimes or when synchronization mechanisms are inadequate during concurrent memory operations.
The security impact of this use-after-free vulnerability is classified as high according to Chromium's severity framework, indicating significant potential for exploitation. Attackers with physical access to vulnerable devices can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Chrome browser process. The heap corruption resulting from improper memory handling allows for potential privilege escalation and data compromise. This particular flaw affects all Android versions running Chrome prior to version 149.0.7827.201, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these older browser versions across various device configurations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that does not require network connectivity or complex social engineering techniques for exploitation. Physical access provides attackers with direct control over device memory management and process execution flows, enabling them to craft payloads that specifically target the freed memory locations. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data theft, session hijacking, and persistent backdoor installation through memory corruption techniques. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software implementations.
The exploitation pathway for this vulnerability involves leveraging the physical access to manipulate memory states during payment processing operations. Attackers can potentially construct malicious payment data or trigger specific sequences that cause the browser to free memory structures while retaining references to them, subsequently allowing code execution through controlled heap corruption. This technique falls under ATT&CK tactic T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in Chromium's memory management implementation and highlights the importance of proper resource lifecycle handling in mobile browser environments.
Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to mitigate this risk. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to unusual payment processing behavior or unexpected browser crashes. Additional mitigations include implementing application control measures, network-based detection systems, and regular security assessments of mobile device configurations. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust memory safety practices in mobile browser development environments and highlights the critical importance of timely security updates in protecting against physically accessible attack vectors.