CVE-2026-18011
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Inappropriate implementation in Chrome for iOS in Google Chrome on iOS prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a local attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory via physical access to the device. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a security flaw in the iOS version of Google Chrome that emerged from an inadequate implementation of memory handling mechanisms within the browser's architecture. The issue stems from how Chrome for iOS manages process memory allocation and access control, creating a potential avenue for information disclosure when an attacker has physical possession of the device. The vulnerability falls under the chromium security severity classification of low, indicating it does not pose an immediate or critical threat to user security, but still represents a legitimate concern for privacy protection.
The technical nature of this flaw lies in the improper handling of memory segments that contain potentially sensitive data from running processes. When a device is physically compromised, attackers can exploit this implementation gap to access process memory directly, potentially extracting confidential information such as browsing history, cookies, cached data, or other user-specific information stored in memory buffers. This type of vulnerability typically involves inadequate memory isolation mechanisms or flawed privilege escalation pathways that allow unauthorized access to memory segments that should remain protected from local adversaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within the context of physical security breaches, particularly when devices are lost, stolen, or compromised through direct physical access. Attackers with possession of an iOS device running vulnerable Chrome versions can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information that might otherwise be protected by normal security measures. The low severity classification suggests that while the attack vector requires physical access and specific technical knowledge, it still represents a meaningful privacy risk for users who store sensitive data in their browsers.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling concepts including common weakness enumeration cwe-200 which addresses information exposure, and attack tactics from the mitre att&ck framework such as privilege escalation and credential access. The issue demonstrates how even seemingly minor implementation flaws can create opportunities for adversaries to exploit physical access scenarios, particularly in mobile environments where device security is paramount. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader mobile device security posture assessment.
Mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of Chrome updates to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory handling implementation issues. Users should also maintain comprehensive device security practices including strong authentication mechanisms, encryption, and regular software updates. Security teams should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other browser implementations and consider implementing additional protective measures such as memory sanitization techniques and enhanced access control policies. The fix likely involves strengthening memory management protocols and ensuring proper isolation between different process memory segments to prevent unauthorized access through physical device compromise scenarios.