What happened
Google has released an urgent security update to address a high-severity zero-day vulnerability in its Chrome web browser that is being actively exploited by threat actors in the wild. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-2441, is a use-after-free bug in Chrome’s CSS rendering engine that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via malicious web content.Â
Who is affected
The vulnerability affects Chrome users worldwide on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms that have not yet applied the latest update. Unpatched browsers remain exposed to remote code execution attacks that could lead to browser compromise or sandbox escape.Â
Why CISOs should care
Browsers are a primary attack vector for many threat campaigns. An actively exploited zero-day in one of the world’s most widely used browsers significantly increases risk to enterprise endpoints and networks. If exploited, the bug could enable attackers to breach defenses, deploy malware, or move laterally within corporate environments.Â
3 practical actions
- Immediate patching: Ensure all Chrome instances across the organization are updated to the patched versions (145.0.7632.75/.76 on Windows and macOS; 144.0.7559.75 on Linux) via automated management tools or endpoint policies.Â
- Verify update compliance: Audit browser versions across all devices and enforce update completion, especially on unmanaged or BYOD devices.
- Monitor and block: Review proxy or firewall logs for unusual Chrome traffic and consider blocking outdated Chrome versions at the network edge while investigations are ongoing.
