CVE-2026-17953 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Insufficient policy enforcement in WebView in Google Chrome on Android prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to bypass navigation restrictions via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the security model of Google Chrome's WebView implementation on Android platforms, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw stems from inadequate enforcement of security policies that govern how web content can navigate and interact with the underlying system. When a malicious actor crafts a specially designed HTML page, they can exploit this weakness to circumvent intended navigation restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system resources or restricted domains.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the WebView component's failure to properly validate and enforce security policies during navigation operations. This allows attackers to manipulate the browser's navigation behavior through crafted web content, effectively bypassing the security controls that should normally prevent such actions. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and mobile platform security, where WebView serves as a bridge between web content and native Android functionality.
From an operational perspective, this weakness creates significant risks for users who rely on Chrome's WebView for applications that require restricted navigation capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to redirect users to malicious sites, access restricted system functions, or exploit other vulnerabilities that might be present in the underlying platform. The low severity classification from Chromium does not diminish the potential impact, as it represents a bypass of fundamental security controls that are critical for maintaining user safety and application integrity.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-693, which addresses protection mechanism failures, particularly those involving access control and navigation restrictions. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, where adversaries use web-based attack vectors to execute malicious code or bypass security controls. Organizations implementing WebView-based applications should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly when dealing with applications that require strict navigation controls or access restrictions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate updates to Chrome versions that address this specific flaw, along with implementing additional application-level controls that can help detect and prevent unauthorized navigation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying network-based monitoring solutions that can detect unusual navigation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments of WebView implementations in mobile applications.
The broader implications extend beyond individual user devices to enterprise environments where WebView components are used in custom applications or embedded browsers. Organizations should review their application security policies to ensure that proper restrictions are in place and regularly validate that these controls remain effective against evolving threat vectors. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security implementations, particularly in mobile environments where users may be less aware of security updates and more susceptible to exploitation.
Security researchers and developers should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as content security policies, strict navigation validation, and regular security audits of WebView configurations to prevent similar issues from arising in future implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor policy enforcement gaps can create significant security risks in mobile browsing environments where user trust and application integrity are paramount considerations.