Google Chrome 154.0.8037.97/.98 Closes 11 Security Vulnerabilities, Including a Critical WebGL Flaw
If you use Chrome as your daily browser, this is an update worth installing today rather than waiting for it to arrive on its own.
Google has rolled out a fresh stable-channel update for Chrome, bringing the Windows desktop browser to version 154.0.8037.97/.98. The headline is security: the release fixes 11 vulnerabilities, and one of them is rated critical. If you use Chrome as your daily browser, this is an update worth installing today rather than waiting for it to arrive on its own.
The critical fix
The most serious issue is CVE-2026-103628, an out-of-bounds write in WebGL. Memory-corruption bugs in graphics and rendering components are a classic route for attackers, because a malicious web page can trigger them simply by being visited. Google's initial release notes did not describe the vulnerabilities, which is normal while most users are still updating; the details were added to the notes afterwards. The remaining ten fixes are lower in severity but together make this one of the more substantial security rollups of the 154 cycle.
Current versions at a glance
- Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux): 154.0.8037.97 / 154.0.8037.98
- Android: 154.0.8037.126
- Extended Stable channel: 152.0.7977.152, which also carries performance improvements according to Google's release notes
If you are already running the Early Stable build of Chrome 155, you do not need to take this update.
How to update
Chrome normally updates itself in the background, but you can speed things up. Open the three-dot menu, choose Help > About Google Chrome, and let the page check for updates. When the download finishes, click Relaunch. Restoring your tabs after the restart is automatic, so there is little reason to delay. Anyone managing family members' computers should make sure those machines have restarted the browser too, since an update that has downloaded but not been applied does not protect you.
Why Chrome remains the default for so many
Chrome is built around a fast JavaScript engine and a multi-process architecture in which each tab and extension is isolated in its own sandbox. Safe Browsing warns you about phishing and malware pages, and built-in password management includes breach detection. Memory Saver and Energy Saver modes help on laptops, tab groups keep busy sessions manageable, and sync carries bookmarks, passwords and settings across devices. The Chrome Web Store offers a vast extension catalogue, and recent versions integrate Gemini-powered AI tools.
The usual caveats apply: Chrome can be memory-hungry on older hardware, and some users are uncomfortable with Google's data collection. Some sites also behave differently across engines.
Product page and alternatives
You can find the Chrome product page, with the latest version and download details, on UpdateStar: Google Chrome on UpdateStar. If Chrome is not quite right for you, UpdateStar's Chrome alternatives page compares options such as Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Brave.
Practical advice
- Update now, then restart the browser even if you normally leave it open for weeks.
- Check About Google Chrome afterwards to confirm you see 154.0.8037.97 or newer.
- Keep extensions to a minimum and remove ones you no longer use; they widen the attack surface.
- Leave Safe Browsing switched on, ideally in Enhanced protection mode if you are comfortable with the privacy trade-off.
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