CVE-2026-18014 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Insufficient validation of untrusted input in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to bypass navigation restrictions via a malicious file. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability resides in the DevTools component of Google Chrome browsers, specifically affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72 and represents a critical weakness in input validation mechanisms that could enable remote code execution through navigation bypass techniques. The flaw manifests as insufficient sanitization of untrusted input within the developer tools interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate browser behavior through crafted file inputs. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and developer tool integrity, where trusted development interfaces become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent.
The technical implementation of this weakness allows attackers to craft specially formatted files that exploit the DevTools navigation restriction bypass mechanism. When Chrome processes these malicious inputs, the inadequate validation permits unauthorized navigation attempts that would normally be blocked by security policies. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where the browser's trust model is violated through unvalidated file content processing. The vulnerability specifically targets the Chromium-based browser architecture's handling of developer tools components, which maintain elevated privileges and access to core browser functionalities.
Operationally, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute navigation bypass attacks without requiring user interaction or specific exploitation conditions beyond delivering a malicious file. The low severity classification from Chromium security team reflects the limited attack surface and the need for specific conditions to exploit, but the potential impact remains significant given that DevTools are accessible through browser interfaces and can be leveraged by attackers with minimal user engagement requirements. The flaw creates an indirect code execution pathway where the attacker manipulates file processing within the browser's developer environment to achieve unauthorized navigation behavior.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses insufficient input validation, and demonstrates how developer tools interfaces can become attack vectors when proper security controls are absent. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to technique T1059 for remote code execution through browser-based attacks and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability affects the fundamental trust model of browser developer tools where inputs are assumed to be safe, creating a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies require immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 151.0.7922.72 or later, which implements proper input validation mechanisms for DevTools file processing. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions that prevent access to potentially malicious files through browser interfaces, along with regular security assessments of developer tool configurations. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary DevTools functionality in production environments and implementing comprehensive monitoring for unusual navigation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation across all browser components, particularly those with elevated privileges and access to core system functions.