CVE-2026-106242 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Information leak in Omnibox in Google Chrome on on Android prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to leak sensitive information via crafted network traffic. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The vulnerability identified within the Omnibox component of Google Chrome for Android, specifically in versions prior to 155.0.8059.39, represents a significant information disclosure flaw that exploits the browser's address bar functionality. The Omnibox serves as the primary interface where users input URLs or search queries, and it is responsible for providing real-time suggestions, auto-completions, and navigation hints based on browsing history, bookmarks, and network traffic analysis. In this specific instance, a technical defect within how Chrome processes certain crafted network interactions allows an attacker to extract sensitive data that should remain isolated from the active session context. This flaw does not stem from a traditional buffer overflow or code execution error but rather from improper handling of state information during the rendering and suggestion generation phases of the Omnibox interface.
The operational mechanism of this exploit relies heavily on social engineering tactics, as it requires user interaction to trigger the data leakage. A remote attacker would typically construct malicious network traffic designed to manipulate how Chrome interprets or displays specific URL patterns or search terms. When a victim interacts with the browser by typing into the Omnibox while such crafted traffic is present in the background or associated with their browsing session, the application may inadvertently expose internal state information, cached credentials hints, or sensitive query parameters that were not intended to be visible. This leakage occurs because the security boundaries between different contexts within the browser are insufficiently enforced during the dynamic update of suggestions and address bar content, allowing data from one context to bleed into another where it can be observed by an observer or captured via side-channel mechanisms inherent in the UI rendering process.
From a risk perspective, this vulnerability is classified with medium severity because its exploitation requires active user participation through social engineering rather than being fully remote and automated. However, the impact remains substantial as it compromises confidentiality by leaking sensitive information that could include partial URLs, search queries containing personal identifiers, or hints about previously visited secure sites. Attackers leveraging this flaw can build a detailed profile of the victim's online activities, potentially leading to further targeted attacks such as phishing campaigns tailored to the leaked interests or credentials. The reliance on social engineering means that while automated scanning tools may not easily detect active exploitation in real-time, the potential for large-scale abuse through deceptive links and manipulated network environments poses a persistent threat to user privacy and security hygiene.
To mitigate this risk, users must immediately update Google Chrome on Android to version 155.0.8059.39 or later, where these logic errors in the Omnibox have been corrected by enforcing stricter separation of data contexts during suggestion generation. Security administrators should also enforce policies that restrict automatic loading of untrusted content and encourage cautious interaction with browser suggestions when browsing on public or potentially compromised networks. Additionally, enabling features such as Safe Browsing can help detect and block malicious network traffic before it interacts with the Omnibox logic. From a broader security architecture standpoint, this incident highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and context isolation in UI components that handle user-facing data representations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes information exposure issues where sensitive system or application details are revealed to unauthorized actors without malicious intent from the victim's side but due to poor design practices. Furthermore, it relates to ATT&CK technique T1539, specifically under the sub-category of Steal Web Session Cookie, although in this case, the leakage is broader than just cookies and includes general sensitive information exposed through UI manipulation. The attack vector falls under Initial Access via Spearphishing Link or Drive-by Compromise if combined with other exploits, but primarily it represents an Information Exfiltration phase where data is stolen from a compromised system due to flawed application logic rather than direct code execution. Organizations should prioritize patch management for mobile browsers as they are increasingly targeted through sophisticated social engineering campaigns that exploit trust in familiar interfaces like the address bar.