CVE-2026-16420 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
Type Confusion in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.182 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical type confusion flaw within the WebAudio API implementation of Google Chrome browsers prior to version 150.0.7871.182, classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration as CWE-466. The issue stems from improper handling of object types during audio processing operations where the browser fails to correctly validate data types when manipulating audio nodes and their associated properties. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTML pages that trigger specific sequences of audio API calls, causing the browser's JavaScript engine to incorrectly interpret memory locations as different data types than originally intended.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs within the sandboxed environment of Chrome's renderer process, where WebAudio objects are manipulated through the JavaScript interface. When a crafted page triggers certain audio processing flows, the type confusion allows an attacker to manipulate memory pointers and object references in ways that bypass normal security boundaries. This misclassification leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser's sandboxed process. The Chromium security team rated this as High severity due to its remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation within the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to bypass fundamental browser security mechanisms designed to isolate web content from system resources. This type confusion allows for potential information disclosure, persistent compromise of user systems, and could serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks targeting the underlying operating system. The sandbox escape capability means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. Organizations relying on Chrome browsers for web-based applications face significant risk from this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 150.0.7871.182 or later, which includes fixes addressing the specific type confusion patterns in WebAudio API handling. Security administrators should also implement network-level controls such as content filtering and web application firewalls to block suspicious audio-related content. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript APIs, implementing strict Content Security Policies, and using automatic update mechanisms can provide additional defense layers. Organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts through security information and event management systems while maintaining awareness of related attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under techniques involving sandbox escapes and privilege escalation.