CVE-2026-17716 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in Updater in Google Chrome on Mac prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a local attacker to perform privilege escalation via malicious network traffic. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the updater component of Google Chrome on macOS systems prior to version 151.0.7922.72. The flaw occurs within the software update mechanism where improper memory management allows an attacker to manipulate the updater process and potentially escalate privileges from standard user level to administrative rights. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security standards, indicating significant risk to system integrity and user security.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free exploit involves manipulating network traffic that Chrome's updater component processes during routine software updates. When the updater handles maliciously crafted data, it fails to properly validate memory references, leading to a scenario where freed memory blocks are accessed after being reallocated. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers who control network communications to inject malicious code into the update process. The vulnerability specifically affects macOS implementations and demonstrates poor memory management practices in the updater's handling of network resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, system files, and network resources. The local nature of the attack means that adversaries need only control network traffic to the affected system rather than requiring physical access or more sophisticated attack vectors. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly filtered or monitored.
Security researchers have identified this issue as a variant of CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free vulnerabilities in software applications. The exploitation pattern aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, particularly leveraging software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access. Organizations should immediately apply the patched version 151.0.7922.72 or later to mitigate this risk. Additional mitigations include network traffic filtering to prevent unauthorized update downloads and monitoring for unusual updater behavior. Regular security audits of software update mechanisms and memory management practices should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper memory handling in system components that process external data, particularly those with elevated privilege requirements.