External risk intelligence

Google Chrome Bluetooth Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.6)

CVE-2026-102306

The vulnerability exists within the Google Chrome browser, a client-side application. While it requires a user to navigate to a crafted web page, browsers are fundamentally designed to interact with the public internet as their primary function, making them a common interface for accessing web-based content and potential attack vectors.

Use After Free

Google Chrome

before 154.0.8037.92

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability in Google Chrome's Bluetooth component could allow an attacker to execute code outside the browser's protected environment. This risk stems from a "use after free" flaw, which can be triggered by a user visiting a malicious web page, potentially impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level.

  • Flaw allows code execution outside browser safety.
  • Impacts a widely used, internet-connected application.
  • Confirm relevance and ensure browser updates are managed.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

A remote attacker could trick a user into visiting a malicious web page, which then exploits a use-after-free flaw in Chrome's Bluetooth handling. This could allow the attacker to execute code on the user's system, escaping the browser's security restrictions.

  • User visits a malicious web page.
  • Vulnerable Bluetooth component is triggered.
  • Arbitrary code execution outside sandbox.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's Bluetooth handling could allow a remote attacker to execute code outside the browser's sandbox by luring a user to a malicious website. This could potentially impact the integrity and confidentiality of data processed by the browser.

  • Arbitrary code execution in the browser sandbox.
  • Malicious HTML page via remote attack.
  • Compromise of user session and data.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in Google Chrome's Bluetooth component requires immediate attention from teams managing user-facing applications and the underlying infrastructure. The first step is to identify all Chrome instances, determine their exposure and criticality, and locate the accountable owners before planning remediation.

  • Application and Platform teams own remediation.
  • Verify user exposure and business criticality.
  • Coordinate targeted updates with stakeholders.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is Google Chrome and its role in this advisory?

Google Chrome is a widely used web browser that renders HTML content and manages various system interfaces, including Bluetooth connectivity. In this advisory, the Bluetooth component serves as a bridge between web applications and peripheral devices. The vulnerability exists within this specific functional area of the browser's architecture, which handles how the software communicates with external hardware.

What does use-after-free mean for CVE-2026-102306?

A use-after-free, classified as CWE-416, occurs when software continues to use a memory location after it has been cleared or released. In the context of CVE-2026-102306, this memory corruption error allows an attacker to manipulate the state of the browser. By tricking the application into interacting with invalid memory, an attacker may gain the ability to run unauthorized code on the host system, bypassing standard browser security restrictions.

How is this Bluetooth vulnerability triggered?

The flaw is triggered when a user visits a specially crafted malicious HTML page that interacts with the vulnerable Bluetooth component. It is important to note that standard, benign web browsing does not trigger this issue; the attack requires the browser to process malicious instructions specifically designed to exploit the memory management error. Simply having Bluetooth enabled on your device is not sufficient to trigger the vulnerability on its own.

Do I need to worry if I use Google Chrome?

Yes, this is a significant concern for most users. According to Halo Surface Signal, because Google Chrome is a client-side application built to interact with the public internet, it is a primary interface for web-based threats. Since the attack vector is network-based and relies on common web browsing, any system running an outdated version of the browser is potentially reachable by remote attackers.

How should I respond to this vulnerability?

Your first step is to confirm the current version of Google Chrome installed on your systems. If your version is older than 154.0.8037.92, you should prioritize updating to the latest stable release provided by the vendor. Coordinate with your IT or security team to ensure these updates are deployed across all managed devices, as keeping the browser updated is the most effective way to resolve this specific vulnerability.

References