CVE-2026-17785 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Uninitialized Use in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to leak cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents an uninitialized variable flaw within the ANGLE graphics library component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The issue stems from improper initialization of memory variables during graphics rendering operations, creating a potential information disclosure vector that could be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-457 as an uninitialized variable, which falls within the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to unpredictable behavior and security breaches.
The technical exploitation occurs when a crafted HTML page triggers specific graphics rendering scenarios within the ANGLE library, which is responsible for handling graphics operations on Windows systems through DirectX APIs. When variables remain uninitialized during rendering pipeline operations, the memory contents may contain residual data from previous operations, potentially exposing sensitive information across origin boundaries. This cross-origin data leakage represents a significant privacy and security concern as it allows attackers to access data that should be isolated between different web origins.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially reconstruct sensitive data patterns from the leaked memory contents. The medium severity classification indicates that while exploitation requires specific conditions and user interaction through a malicious webpage, the potential for data leakage makes this a concerning vulnerability in modern browser environments where extensive graphics operations are common. Attackers could leverage this flaw in conjunction with other techniques to build more sophisticated attacks targeting user privacy and session data.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1557.001 (Adversary-in-the-Middle) and demonstrates how graphics libraries can become attack surfaces for cross-origin information leakage. The ANGLE library's integration with Chrome's rendering engine means that exploitation requires no special privileges beyond standard web browsing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users frequently visit untrusted websites. Standard browser security mitigations such as sandboxing and origin isolation provide some protection but cannot fully prevent uninitialized variable issues within graphics libraries.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating to Chrome version 151.0.7922.72 or later where the uninitialized variable handling has been corrected. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, browser hardening measures including strict Content Security Policy enforcement and regular security audits of web applications can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability underscores the importance of thorough testing for memory safety issues in graphics libraries and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of core browser components that handle multimedia operations.