Two critical Chrome flaws put users at risk on malicious websites

Chrome is rolling out an update for its desktop browser. The update includes 26 security fixes, two of which Google rates as critical use-after-free vulnerabilities. The Stable channel has been updated to 152.0.7977.75/.76 for Windows and Mac, and 152.0.7977.75 for Linux. How to update Chrome If you don’t want to wait for the rollout to reach you, manually updating is easy. The easiest option is to allow Chrome to update automatically. But you can end up lagging behind if you never close your browser or if something goes wrong with the update. To update manually, click the More menu (three dots), then go to Settings > About Chrome . If an update is available, Chrome will start downloading it automatically. Restart Chrome to complete the update, and you’ll be protected against these vulnerabilities. Chrome 152.0.7977.76 is up to date You can find an explanation of the version numbering system and step-by-step instructions in our guide: How to update Chrome on every operating system . Technical details Let’s look at the two critical vulnerabilities. Both are use-after-free (UAF) vulnerabilities. A use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to access a memory location after it has been freed. That can cause crashes or, in some cases, allow an attacker to run their own code. The first, tracked as CVE-2026-84353 , was found in Shared Tab Groups and could allow a remote attacker using social engineering to execute arbitrary code outside the browser sandbox via a crafted HTML page. Here, social engineering likely means an attacker would have to lure you to a malicious website or open an email in HTML format . The other critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2026-84352 , was found in WebGL. WebGL, short for Web Graphics Library, is a browser technology that lets websites display interactive 2D and 3D graphics. The vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. Chrome vulnerabilities that enable remote code execution outside the browser sandbox are particularly valuable to attackers because they can turn a visit to a malicious or compromised website into direct code running on the underlying operating system, often without requiring additional exploitation steps. Stop threats before they can do any harm. Malwarebytes Browser Guard blocks phishing pages and malicious sites automatically. Free, one click to install. Add it to your browser → About the author Was a Microsoft MVP in consumer security for 12 years running. Can speak four languages. Smells of rich mahogany and leather-bound books.