Use after free in WebCodecs in Google Chrome prior to 149
Description
Use after free in WebCodecs in Google Chrome prior to 149
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Apply vendor security updates immediately. Monitor for exploitation attempts and review access logs.
---METADATA---
VENDOR: Google
PRODUCT: Chrome
AFFECTED_VERSIONS: See vendor advisory for specific affected versions
---END_METADATA---
Description Summary:
A use-after-free vulnerability in the WebCodecs component of Google Chrome prior to version 149 could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Executive Summary:
A critical use-after-free flaw in the Google Chrome WebCodecs API exposes users to remote code execution risks if they visit compromised or malicious websites.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2026-11683
Affected Software: Google Chrome
Affected Versions: See vendor advisory for specific affected versions
Vulnerability: The vulnerability resides in the WebCodecs component, which is used for hardware-accelerated video/audio encoding and decoding. An unauthenticated attacker can trigger this use-after-free condition to corrupt memory and potentially execute arbitrary code.
Business Impact
A CVSS score of 8.8 highlights the severity of this vulnerability, which could be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to an end-user's machine. Successful exploitation could result in the exfiltration of sensitive organizational credentials or sensitive documents stored on the local system.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: Apply the vendor-provided security update to Chrome version 149 or later immediately.
Proactive Monitoring: Monitor for unexpected browser crashes which may indicate an attempt to trigger the use-after-free condition.
Compensating Controls: Utilize a modern Web Application Firewall (WAF) or secure web gateway to inspect traffic for malicious payloads targeting browser APIs.
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: false
Analyst Notes: As of June 9, 2026, there is no public information indicating active exploitation of this vulnerability. However, due to the nature of the flaw, the potential for exploitation is high.
Analyst Recommendation
Security teams should enforce the update to the latest Chrome version to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Given the prevalence of browser-based attacks, maintaining an up-to-date browser environment is a fundamental requirement for securing the workstation perimeter.