Google patches five critical flaws in second Chrome update

Malwarebytes reports that Google issued a security update to Chrome’s Stable channel on 11 November 2026, rolling out across Windows, macOS and Linux. The desktop update raises Chrome to versions 157.0.8103.78/79 for Windows and Mac, and 157.0.8103.78 for Linux, and it patches 83 security flaws, five of which are rated Critical—the highest severity level. The update arrives just two days after Google's previous Chrome update.

Five Critical flaws patched in this release are described as use-after-free (UAF) vulnerabilities. Malwarebytes’ technical explanation notes that UAF issues occur when software accesses memory after it has been released, leaving a dangling pointer that can be exploited to cause crashes, data corruption, information leaks, or even remote code execution, depending on the affected component and exploitation conditions.

The piece emphasises that severity ratings reflect potential risk rather than a guaranteed outcome, contingent on exploitation feasibility and available protections.

For users eager to install the update, Malwarebytes details that automatic updates are the easiest route, though manual updates are possible by choosing About Google Chrome in Settings or Help and clicking Relaunch when prompted. The article also includes a brief note on the Chrome versioning system and a link to a broader guide on updating Chrome across operating systems.