CVE-2026-102302 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2026
Buffer overflow in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 154.0.8037.92 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a critical buffer overflow condition within the V8 JavaScript engine, which serves as the core runtime for Google Chrome prior to version 154.0.8037.92. This flaw represents a significant deviation from expected memory management protocols, allowing an attacker who crafts specific malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the bounds of the intended buffer. The root cause typically stems from insufficient validation of array indices or string lengths during execution, leading to writes that corrupt heap metadata or other critical data structures within the V8 engine's internal state. This type of error is classified under CWE-120, Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input, which highlights the failure to perform adequate bounds checking before copying data into a fixed-size buffer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution with elevated privileges within the browser's security context. An attacker can exploit this flaw by hosting or distributing a specially crafted HTML page that triggers the malformed memory access when rendered and executed by the V8 engine. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary machine code inside the sandbox environment. While modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense such as ASLR, DEP, and sandboxing, a buffer overflow in the core rendering or scripting engine can often bypass these mitigations through techniques like heap spraying or ROP chains, ultimately leading to full compromise of the user's system if further exploitation steps are taken outside the initial sandbox boundary.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in client software to execute malicious payloads on target systems. The high severity rating assigned by Chromium security reflects the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of the affected component. Attackers frequently utilize such flaws in drive-by download scenarios or via phishing campaigns that direct victims to malicious web pages designed specifically to trigger this memory corruption bug.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching, as Google has released version 154.0.8037.92 and subsequent updates that address the underlying memory management issues within V8. Organizations should enforce automatic update policies for all endpoints running affected versions of Chrome to ensure timely application of security patches. Additionally, implementing strict content security policies can help mitigate some risks by restricting the execution of inline scripts or loading resources from untrusted sources, although this is not a definitive fix for engine-level vulnerabilities. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise associated with exploit kits that target known V8 buffer overflow conditions and consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying anomalous memory access patterns indicative of such exploitation attempts.