# CVE-2026-8522: Google Chrome use after free in Downloads on macOS

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-8522-google-chrome-use-after-free-in-downloads-on-macos  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-14. Updated: 2026-05-19  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-8522 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-05-14

A critical security vulnerability exists in the Google Chrome web browser for macOS. By tricking a user into visiting a specially crafted website, an attacker could potentially take control of the user's computer or execute unauthorized commands. This issue specifically affects the browser's download management component and could lead to data theft or system compromise.

Technologies: [Apple macOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos), [Google Chrome](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/chrome). Vendors: [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple), [Google](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/google).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-8522 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-8522 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-8522?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 14 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Google Chrome prior to 148.0.7778.168.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-8522?** A patch was published on 2026-05-12: Stable channel update released for Mac Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-8522 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-8522?** Check whether you run Apple macOS or Google Chrome at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability exists in the Downloads component of Google Chrome for macOS. The flaw is triggered when the browser incorrectly manages memory during download operations, allowing an attacker to reference memory after it has been freed. By enticing a user to visit a malicious HTML page, a remote attacker can exploit this memory corruption to achieve arbitrary code execution (RCE) within the context of the browser process. This vulnerability was addressed in version 148.0.7778.168.

## Affected products

- Google Chrome prior to 148.0.7778.168

## Timeline

- 2026-04-19: disclosed: Reported to Chromium by Google researchers
- 2026-05-12: patched: Stable channel update released for Mac
- 2026-05-14: advisory: NVD publication date

## References

- [https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_12.html](https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2026/05/stable-channel-update-for-desktop_12.html)
- [https://issues.chromium.org/issues/504185107](https://issues.chromium.org/issues/504185107)

## Related threats

- [Google Chrome out of bounds read in Skia](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-126922-out-of-bounds-read-in-skia-in-google-chrome-prior-to-157-0-8103)
- [Google Chrome use after free in Accessibility](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-126921-use-after-free-in-accessibility-in-google-chrome-prior-to-157-0)
- [Google Chrome information leak in Skia](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-126920-information-leak-in-skia-in-google-chrome-prior-to-157-0-8103-78)
- [Google Chrome use-after-free in BrowserTag](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-126919-use-after-free-in-browsertag-in-google-chrome-prior-to-157-0)
- [Google Chrome use-after-free in Layout](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-126918-use-after-free-in-layout-in-google-chrome-prior-to-157-0-8103-78)