CVE-2026-3545 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2026
Insufficient data validation in Navigation in Google Chrome prior to 145.0.7632.159 allowed a remote attacker to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-3545 represents a critical security flaw in Google Chrome's navigation handling mechanism that existed prior to version 145.0.7632.159. This issue stems from inadequate data validation within the browser's navigation component, creating a pathway for remote attackers to potentially execute sandbox escape techniques. The vulnerability's classification as high severity by Chromium security standards underscores its significant risk potential, particularly given the privileged nature of browser navigation systems and their interaction with the underlying operating system resources.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient validation of navigation data structures within Chrome's rendering engine, specifically affecting how the browser processes and interprets crafted HTML content. When a malicious actor delivers a specially crafted HTML page, the browser's navigation subsystem fails to properly validate the incoming data, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution outside the intended sandbox boundaries. This weakness exploits the fundamental trust model within browser security architectures where navigation components typically handle user input and external resources without adequate sanitization checks. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains including web content processing, memory management, and sandbox isolation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to bypass the browser's security model entirely. A remote attacker could potentially access system resources, read sensitive files, execute arbitrary commands, or even install malware on the victim's system. The sandbox escape capability particularly threatens user privacy and system integrity, as it allows malicious code to circumvent the isolation protections that normally prevent web content from accessing local system resources. This vulnerability affects all users running Chrome versions earlier than 145.0.7632.159, making it a widespread concern across various deployment scenarios including enterprise environments and personal computing devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-3545 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Chrome 145.0.7632.159 or later, which incorporates the necessary validation patches. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. Additional defensive measures include network-based filtering to block suspicious HTML content, enhanced browser security policies through enterprise management tools, and user education regarding the risks of visiting untrusted websites. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code. Security teams should also consider implementing sandbox monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls.