CVE-2026-17951 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Heap buffer overflow in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
A heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the WebRTC implementation within Google Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72, representing a critical security flaw that could be exploited remotely by malicious actors. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during memory allocation and manipulation processes within the WebRTC subsystem, specifically when handling crafted HTML content that triggers memory access violations. The flaw manifests as an out of bounds memory read condition that occurs when the browser attempts to process maliciously constructed WebRTC data structures, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. The attack vector requires a remote user to convince a victim to visit a specially crafted HTML page containing malicious WebRTC code that exploits the buffer overflow during normal browser operation. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Web Shell execution and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through browser-based attack surfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially allow attackers to extract sensitive memory contents, manipulate browser behavior, or serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The low severity classification from Chromium security team reflects the specific nature of the flaw, which primarily affects memory read operations rather than write operations that could lead to arbitrary code execution. However, the remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios where users may inadvertently visit compromised websites or be subjected to drive-by download attacks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 151.0.7922.72 or later, as this resolves the underlying heap buffer overflow through proper bounds checking implementations. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious WebRTC traffic patterns. Browser security enhancements including sandboxing mechanisms, memory protection features like DEP and ASLR, and regular security updates form essential defensive layers against this class of vulnerability. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the avoidance of untrusted websites remains crucial in preventing exploitation attempts, particularly given the remote nature of the attack vector that requires no local privilege escalation or user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
This vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex multimedia frameworks like WebRTC, where memory safety issues can arise from intricate interactions between different subsystems within modern browsers. The remediation process involves not only applying patches but also conducting thorough security assessments of WebRTC implementations across all browser versions and ensuring comprehensive testing of memory management functions to prevent similar flaws from emerging in future releases.