CVE-2026-17784 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in Audio 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 use-after-free condition in the audio subsystem of Google Chrome on macOS platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw occurs within the browser's audio processing components and manifests when a crafted HTML page triggers improper memory management during audio object lifecycle handling. The vulnerability is classified as a medium severity issue by Chromium security standards, indicating potential for significant exploitation despite not being immediately critical.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within Chrome's renderer process when handling audio elements. When malicious HTML content attempts to manipulate audio objects through JavaScript APIs, the browser fails to properly validate object references before allowing subsequent operations on freed memory regions. This creates a scenario where an attacker can overwrite or corrupt memory contents that were previously allocated for audio processing components. The vulnerability specifically affects macOS implementations of Chrome where the audio subsystem interacts with system-level audio frameworks, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to potentially escape the sandbox boundaries that normally isolate browser processes from the underlying operating system. The use-after-free condition provides the attacker with memory corruption capabilities that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. While the initial compromise typically requires a separate attack vector to gain access to the renderer process, this vulnerability serves as an effective escalation mechanism. The attack chain begins with a phishing page or malicious website delivery, followed by exploitation of the renderer process through crafted audio-related JavaScript that triggers the memory corruption.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and sandbox evasion. The CWE classification for this issue would likely fall under CWE-416: Use After Free, which specifically addresses improper handling of freed memory resources in software applications. Organizations should consider the broader context of browser-based attacks where initial compromise often occurs through social engineering or zero-day exploits targeting other browser vulnerabilities. The macOS environment adds additional complexity as it involves interactions with Apple's Core Audio framework and system-level audio processing components that may not be fully sandboxed.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment to Chrome versions 151.0.7922.72 and later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes for audio object lifecycle handling. Network security teams should implement additional monitoring for suspicious audio-related JavaScript patterns in web traffic, particularly focusing on audio element manipulation and API calls that could trigger memory corruption scenarios. Browser hardening measures including enhanced sandbox configurations and process isolation should be maintained as part of broader security hygiene practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious audio-based attack vectors before they reach user systems. Regular vulnerability assessments should include browser-specific testing to identify similar memory management issues across other browser components and subsystems.