CVE-2026-119264 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2026
Memory corruption in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.79 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2026
The vulnerability identified within the Dawn graphics engine, which is an integral component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.79, represents a critical memory corruption flaw that undermines the browser's core security model. Dawn serves as the abstraction layer for WebGL and WebGPU implementations, translating high-level web APIs into low-level graphics commands compatible with various hardware backends such as Vulkan, Metal, Direct3D, and OpenGL ES. When processing complex or maliciously crafted HTML pages containing specific JavaScript calls to these graphics interfaces, a flaw in memory management logic allows an attacker to corrupt heap structures or overwrite critical pointers within the renderer process. This type of defect is typically classified under CWE-120 Buffer Overflow or CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write depending on the precise nature of the corruption observed during static and dynamic analysis. The severity of this issue is rated as High by Chromium security teams because it directly impacts the integrity of the sandboxed environment that isolates web content from the underlying operating system.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the renderer process. While Chrome employs multiple layers of defense including site isolation and hardware-based sandboxing, successful memory corruption can lead to control flow hijacking through techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct shellcode injection if additional hardening measures like Control Flow Integrity are bypassed or not fully effective in that specific execution path. The attacker would typically deliver the exploit via a specially crafted webpage hosted on a malicious server, leveraging social engineering tactics to convince users to visit the site. Once executed, the code runs with the privileges of the browser process, which although restricted by sandbox policies, can still be leveraged for further attacks such as data exfiltration from other tabs due to shared memory regions or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities in the operating system or browser components.
This incident aligns closely with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and execution within a web application context. Specifically, it relates to T1189 Drive-by Compromise where an attacker exploits software vulnerabilities without user interaction beyond visiting a webpage. The memory corruption aspect falls under the broader category of exploitation for privilege escalation or sandbox escape if the renderer process boundaries are breached effectively enough to interact with other processes or system resources. Understanding this vector is crucial for security analysts monitoring browser-based attack campaigns, as graphics engine vulnerabilities have historically been frequent targets due to their complexity and the sheer volume of code involved in handling graphical data streams.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching by updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.79 or later where these memory management issues have been resolved through rigorous code review and fuzz testing. For organizations unable to update immediately, network-level controls such as web filtering proxies can be configured to block access to known malicious domains hosting exploit kits targeting this specific vulnerability. Additionally, enabling strict Content Security Policy headers on internal websites reduces the attack surface by restricting script execution sources. Users should also ensure that hardware acceleration features are managed according to organizational security policies, although disabling graphics acceleration entirely is often a last resort due to significant performance degradation and user experience impact. Continuous monitoring for anomalous behavior in browser processes can aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts before full compromise occurs.