CVE-2026-18012: Use after free in Google Chrome
CVE-2026-18012 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the PDFium component of Google Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. This flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the sandbox by crafting a malicious PDF file. The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 8.8. Google has released Chrome version 151.0.7922.72 to address this issue.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in the PDFium library used by Google Chrome. Exploiting this flaw requires a user to open a specially crafted PDF file, which can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox environment. The issue affects Chrome versions before 151.0.7922.72. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported at the time of publication. Google has published a stable channel update to fix this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code inside the sandboxed environment of Google Chrome, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The sandbox limits the scope of impact but does not eliminate the risk of code execution.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users and administrators should update Google Chrome to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of this update. No additional mitigations are specified or required beyond applying the official patch.
CVE-2026-18012: Use after free in Google Chrome
Description
CVE-2026-18012 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the PDFium component of Google Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. This flaw allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the sandbox by crafting a malicious PDF file. The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 8.8. Google has released Chrome version 151.0.7922.72 to address this issue.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.8high
Affected software
Chrome
pkg:github/chromium/chromiumRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability involves a use-after-free condition in the PDFium library used by Google Chrome. Exploiting this flaw requires a user to open a specially crafted PDF file, which can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandbox environment. The issue affects Chrome versions before 151.0.7922.72. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported at the time of publication. Google has published a stable channel update to fix this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code inside the sandboxed environment of Google Chrome, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The sandbox limits the scope of impact but does not eliminate the risk of code execution.
Mitigation Recommendations
Users and administrators should update Google Chrome to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. The vendor advisory confirms the availability of this update. No additional mitigations are specified or required beyond applying the official patch.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Chrome
- Date Reserved
- 2026-07-27T23:37:18.231Z
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/07/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_0887107924.html","vendor":"Google"}]
Threat ID: 6a6aa0b39c2644c7f849c124
Added to database: 07/30/2026, 00:54:11 UTC
Last enriched: 08/06/2026, 17:06:46 UTC
Last updated: 09/11/2026, 07:31:52 UTC
Views: 41
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