CVE-2026-17692 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in DataTransfer in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in Google Chrome's DataTransfer component on Windows systems, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw exists within the browser's handling of clipboard data operations and allows for potential sandbox escape when exploited by an attacker who has already compromised the renderer process. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security standards due to its potential to bypass system security boundaries.
The technical implementation involves a use-after-free error where memory allocated for DataTransfer objects is freed but subsequently accessed by malicious code. This occurs during clipboard operations when Chrome processes HTML content that triggers specific data transfer scenarios. The flaw stems from inadequate memory management within the browser's renderer process, particularly in how it handles asynchronous clipboard data handling and object lifecycle management. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specific JavaScript commands that manipulate clipboard data, the browser's DataTransfer object can be freed while still being referenced, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite freed memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers who have already gained access to the renderer process through other means to escalate privileges and escape the sandbox protection. The sandbox escape capability allows malicious code to execute with elevated system privileges, potentially compromising the entire operating system. This represents a significant threat in the context of browser-based attacks where initial compromise often occurs through phishing or drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the attacker to first compromise the renderer process, but once achieved, it provides a pathway to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate updating of Chrome to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as enabling Chrome's built-in sandboxing features, maintaining up-to-date operating systems, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious HTML content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages compromised browser processes to escalate privileges. From a CWE perspective, this represents a classic use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) that enables memory corruption attacks leading to privilege escalation.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in browser security contexts where sandbox boundaries are designed to prevent privilege escalation. The exploitation chain typically involves initial compromise through social engineering or other attack vectors, followed by crafting specific HTML content that triggers the use-after-free condition during clipboard operations. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often remain undetected for extended periods due to their complex nature and the difficulty of reproducing the exact memory conditions required for exploitation. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments focusing on browser-based attack surfaces and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities.