CVE-2026-17988
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in Navigation in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process 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 flaw in chrome's navigation restriction mechanisms that could be exploited by attackers who have already compromised the renderer process. The issue stems from inadequate validation of untrusted input within the navigation component, specifically allowing malicious actors to bypass intended security boundaries through crafted html content. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 151.0.7922.72 and demonstrates a failure in chromium's security model where input validation does not properly enforce navigation constraints even when the renderer process has been compromised.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within chrome's navigation handling system where untrusted html content is not sufficiently validated before being processed for navigation actions. This allows attackers to craft malicious pages that can manipulate navigation behavior in ways that should be restricted by security policies. The vulnerability specifically impacts the renderer process which is responsible for executing web content, and when compromised through other attack vectors, provides an attacker with additional capabilities to bypass navigation restrictions that normally protect against dangerous navigation patterns.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability enables attackers who have already gained access to a renderer process to expand their control beyond what should be permitted by security boundaries. The low chromium security severity classification reflects the fact that exploitation requires prior compromise of the renderer process, but the impact remains significant as it allows for privilege escalation within the browser's navigation restrictions. This type of vulnerability can be particularly dangerous when combined with other exploits in attack chains where initial access is achieved through different means.
The weakness aligns with common weakness enumeration cwe-20 which describes insufficient input validation and cwe-134 which covers format string vulnerabilities in navigation contexts. This vulnerability also maps to attack techniques within the attack tree framework including privilege escalation and lateral movement through browser-based attacks. Organizations should prioritize updating chrome installations to version 151.0.7922.72 or later to mitigate this risk, while also implementing additional security measures such as sandboxing enhancements and monitoring for suspicious navigation patterns in web applications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched chrome version along with enhanced process monitoring for unusual navigation behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional network-level controls and browser hardening measures to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser security patches and demonstrates how even low severity issues can be leveraged in sophisticated attack scenarios where attackers have already achieved initial compromise through other means.