CVE-2026-17746 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in GPU in Google Chrome on Mac 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: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the graphics processing unit implementation within Google Chrome's rendering engine on macOS platforms. The flaw exists within the GPU subsystem where memory management fails to properly handle object lifecycle management, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The issue specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72, indicating a window of exposure where attackers could leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper reference counting or object disposal mechanisms within the GPU driver integration layer. When a GPU object is freed from memory but references to it persist in the rendering pipeline, subsequent operations can access invalid memory locations. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the memory state to redirect execution flow or corrupt critical data structures. The vulnerability manifests when a crafted HTML page triggers specific GPU operations that cause objects to be freed while still referenced by pending graphics commands.
From an operational perspective, the attack vector requires an initial compromise of the renderer process through a phishing campaign or malicious website delivery, as Chrome's sandboxing mechanisms prevent direct exploitation from the browser's main process. However, once inside the renderer process, the attacker can leverage this use-after-free condition to potentially escape the sandbox environment and gain access to system-level resources. This represents a significant escalation in attack capabilities since the sandbox normally isolates renderer processes from system-level operations.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation into potential full system compromise scenarios. According to chromium security severity classification, this vulnerability is rated medium but carries substantial risk due to its potential for sandbox escape. The attack chain typically follows the pattern of initial compromise through web-based delivery followed by exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. This aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework where attackers often progress from initial access through privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes for GPU object lifecycle handling. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to prevent access to malicious websites that might contain exploit code. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary GPU features, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining up-to-date operating system patches provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 416 indicates it involves improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation, making proper memory management practices and code review processes critical for prevention.
This type of vulnerability highlights the complexity of modern browser security where multiple attack surfaces including GPU processing units require careful memory management to prevent exploitation. The relationship between this issue and sandbox escape techniques demonstrates how memory corruption vulnerabilities in system components can bypass traditional security boundaries, making comprehensive security approaches essential for protecting against sophisticated attacks.