CVE-2026-2648 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2026
Heap buffer overflow in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 145.0.7632.109 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory write via a crafted PDF file. (Chromium security severity: High)
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-2648 represents a critical heap buffer overflow within PDFium, the PDF rendering engine used by Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. This flaw exists in versions prior to 145.0.7632.109 and constitutes a significant security risk due to its potential for remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically enables a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory write operation when processing a specially crafted PDF file, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution on the target system. The Chromium security severity rating of High underscores the dangerous nature of this vulnerability, as it can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment.
The technical implementation of this heap buffer overflow occurs within the PDFium component responsible for parsing and rendering PDF documents. When a malicious PDF file is processed, the vulnerability manifests during the handling of specific PDF structures or objects that exceed expected memory boundaries. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking during memory allocation and data copying operations within the PDF parsing logic. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program data structures or injecting malicious code into the browser's memory space. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption occurs in the heap segment of the process memory, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and exploitation opportunities. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is particularly dangerous in modern memory management systems due to the complexity of heap allocation patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-2648 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for complete system compromise. Remote exploitation requires no user interaction, meaning that simply opening a malicious PDF file could result in unauthorized code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The browser environment presents valuable attack surface since it typically has access to user files and system resources, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. The vulnerability affects all affected Chrome versions and related Chromium-based browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Brave, and other products utilizing the same PDFium library. This widespread impact creates a significant risk for organizations that have not yet updated their browser software, as the attack surface remains exposed to automated exploitation tools. The vulnerability's remote nature also means that attackers can deploy this exploit through phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised advertising networks without requiring physical access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-2648 primarily focus on immediate software updates and browser hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Chrome installations to version 145.0.7632.109 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the heap buffer overflow. Browser administrators should implement automated update mechanisms to ensure rapid deployment of security patches across enterprise environments. Additional protective measures include enabling sandboxing features that limit the damage from successful exploits, implementing strict content filtering for PDF files, and utilizing network-based security solutions to detect and block malicious PDF content. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing browser security policies that restrict PDF handling capabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under technique T1059 for remote code execution and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, highlighting the multi-stage attack potential. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training to reduce the risk of users inadvertently opening malicious PDF files, as social engineering remains a common initial attack vector for such exploits. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation pathways and ensure that defensive measures remain effective against evolving threat landscapes.