CVE-2026-17705 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Integer overflow in libxml in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 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 • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow condition within the libxml library component that powers web browsers including Google Chrome. The flaw exists in how the library handles certain numerical operations during XML parsing processes, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate input data to cause arithmetic overflow conditions that ultimately lead to memory corruption and potential code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72 and is classified as High severity by Chromium security standards due to its remote exploitability and sandbox escape capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves attackers crafting malicious HTML pages that contain specially designed XML content which triggers the integer overflow during parsing operations. When libxml processes these malformed inputs, the overflow conditions can result in improper memory allocation or buffer management, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw operates at the intersection of XML parsing libraries and browser security boundaries, exploiting the trust model between different system components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to include sandbox escape capabilities, meaning attackers can potentially break out of the browser's restricted execution environment. This represents a significant escalation from typical web-based exploits since it allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector through crafted HTML pages makes this particularly dangerous as users can be exploited simply by visiting malicious websites or opening compromised email attachments containing such content.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 151.0.7922.72 or later, which includes fixes that properly validate integer operations during XML parsing and implement robust bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious XML content patterns, though such measures are not foolproof given the sophisticated nature of modern exploit techniques. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing enhancements and strict content security policies should be enforced to limit potential damage even if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in widely used library components, as issues in foundational software can affect numerous applications and systems throughout the ecosystem. This case study reinforces the need for continuous security auditing of third-party libraries and the implementation of robust defensive programming practices to prevent similar integer overflow conditions from occurring in other software components.