CVE-2026-17758 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Heap buffer overflow in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker 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 heap buffer overflow flaw within the Dawn graphics library component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The issue manifests when the browser processes maliciously crafted HTML content that triggers improper memory handling within the Dawn rendering subsystem. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during heap memory allocation and manipulation operations, creating a scenario where an attacker can write beyond allocated buffer boundaries and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which encompasses heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a heap-allocated buffer. The security implications are particularly severe as this vulnerability exists within the graphics rendering pipeline that operates in a sandboxed environment, yet the buffer overflow could potentially be exploited to escape these sandbox boundaries and gain elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for remote code execution attacks that bypass Chrome's security model. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specific graphics commands or WebGL operations, the Dawn library processes these inputs without adequate validation, leading to the overflow condition. The attack vector requires only a user visiting a compromised webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers could leverage the sandbox escape to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The medium severity classification by Chromium reflects the complexity required to achieve exploitation, though the potential for privilege escalation makes it a significant concern for security professionals managing Chrome-based environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through browser updates to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, which incorporates memory safety improvements and enhanced bounds checking within the Dawn library. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as content security policies that restrict WebGL usage where possible, and deploy sandboxing solutions that further isolate graphics rendering operations. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns in browser processes and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML content targeting graphics libraries. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments focusing on graphics APIs and rendering components, particularly those integrated into browser engines, as these areas often represent attack surfaces with complex memory management requirements. The fix implemented by Google involves strengthening heap allocation validation and introducing additional memory protection mechanisms that prevent unauthorized overwrites during graphics processing operations, effectively closing the buffer overflow window that previously enabled sandbox escape capabilities.