CVE-2026-17862

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Tracing in Google Chrome on Windows

Publication date: 2026-07-30

Last updated on: 2026-08-03

Assigner: Chrome

Description

Use after free in Tracing in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a local attacker to perform OS-level privilege escalation via a malicious file. (Chromium security severity: Medium)

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-07-30

Last Modified

2026-08-03

Generated

2026-08-19

AI Q&A

2026-07-30

EPSS Evaluated

2026-08-18

NVD

CVE-2026-17862

EUVD

EUVD-2026-50611

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
google	chrome	to 151.0.7922.72 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-416	The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in the Tracing component of Google Chrome on Windows. A use-after-free occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to crashes or arbitrary code execution. In this case, a local attacker could exploit this to perform OS-level privilege escalation by tricking a user into opening a malicious file.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to Google Chrome on Windows and requires detecting outdated versions. Check Chrome version via chrome://settings/help or command line. If version is below 151.0.7922.72, the system is vulnerable.

Impact Analysis

If you use Google Chrome on Windows prior to version 151.0.7922.72, an attacker with local access to your system could exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges. This means they might be able to install programs, view or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows local attackers to perform OS-level privilege escalation through a malicious file, which could lead to unauthorized access or control of a system. Such access could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of sensitive data, potentially violating compliance requirements under GDPR, HIPAA, or other regulations that mandate strict data protection controls.

Mitigation Strategies

Update Google Chrome to version 151.0.7922.72 or later to address the use-after-free vulnerability in Tracing.

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