CVE-2026-121230 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Race condition in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 157.0.8103.38 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9680 represents a race condition within the ANGLE graphics library, which serves as the translation layer between web applications and native GPU drivers in Google Chrome prior to version 157.0.8103.38. This specific flaw arises from improper synchronization mechanisms when handling concurrent operations involving WebGL contexts or shader compilation processes. In a race condition scenario, multiple threads access shared resources without adequate locking or atomicity guarantees, leading to unpredictable behavior based on the timing of execution. An attacker could exploit this by crafting an HTML page that triggers simultaneous requests for resource allocation and state modification within the graphics pipeline. The lack of proper synchronization allows the application to proceed with operations using stale or inconsistent data states, effectively bypassing expected security boundaries enforced by the browser sandbox.
From a technical perspective, race conditions in graphical processing units are particularly dangerous because they can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities such as use-after-free or buffer overflows if not handled correctly within the underlying C++ codebase of ANGLE. When an attacker crafts a malicious webpage that exploits these timing discrepancies, it may allow for arbitrary code execution outside the confines of the browser sandbox. This is significant because Chrome employs a multi-process architecture where each tab runs in its own isolated process to limit the impact of potential compromises. By escaping this sandbox through a race condition in ANGLE, an attacker gains elevated privileges that can be leveraged to execute malicious payloads on the host system with the same permissions as the user running the browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is classified by Chromium security teams as low severity due to the complexity required to reliably exploit such timing-based flaws and the limited attack surface available through standard web content. However, the potential consequence remains severe if successfully exploited. Successful exploitation could result in full system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the infected machine for further attacks within a network environment. The risk is heightened because WebGL applications are increasingly common in modern web experiences, including gaming and complex visualizations, providing ample opportunities for an attacker to embed malicious code that triggers the race condition under specific timing conditions.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 157.0.8103.38 or later, where these synchronization issues have been addressed through improved locking mechanisms and validation checks within ANGLE. For organizations unable to update immediately, deploying browser policies that restrict WebGL usage can reduce the attack surface. Additionally, implementing strict content security policies helps prevent the execution of unauthorized scripts that might attempt to trigger such vulnerabilities. Security teams should also monitor for unusual network activity or process behavior indicative of sandbox escape attempts, although detection at this stage is challenging due to the subtle nature of race condition exploits. Continuous monitoring and prompt patching remain the most effective defenses against this class of vulnerability.