CVE-2026-17891 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in ANGLE in Google Chrome on Android 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)
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the ANGLE graphics library component that is integrated into Google Chrome for Android browsers. The flaw exists within the rendering engine's handling of graphics resources, specifically when managing memory allocation and deallocation processes during WebGL or Direct3D operations. When an application object is freed from memory but references to it persist in the system, this creates a dangerous scenario where subsequent memory operations may overwrite or corrupt the freed memory region.
The vulnerability arises from improper memory management within ANGLE's graphics processing pipeline, which is responsible for translating OpenGL ES commands into native graphics API calls on Android devices. Attackers who have already compromised the renderer process through initial exploitation techniques can leverage this use-after-free condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The medium severity classification reflects the fact that attackers need to first breach the sandboxed renderer process before exploiting this memory corruption flaw, but successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables potential sandbox escape techniques that bypass Chrome's security model. This allows attackers to move from the isolated renderer sandbox into the broader operating system environment where they can access sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector requires a crafted HTML page that triggers specific graphics operations within ANGLE, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in memory management, and represents a common pattern exploited in browser-based attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques through memory corruption vulnerabilities, where adversaries leverage system-level flaws to gain elevated access rights. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions as the vulnerability provides a direct pathway for attackers to bypass multiple security layers that typically protect user systems from web-based threats.
The remediation approach requires updating Chrome to version 151.0.7922.72 or later, which includes memory management fixes and improved validation procedures within ANGLE's graphics processing components. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to prevent access to malicious websites that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments of browser environments and monitoring for unusual graphical processing activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The patch addresses the root cause through enhanced memory management practices and improved resource tracking mechanisms within Chrome's graphics subsystem.