CVE-2026-4440 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
Out of bounds read and write in WebGL in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.153 allowed a remote attacker to perform arbitrary read/write via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read and write condition affecting the WebGL implementation within Google Chrome versions prior to 146.0.7680.153. The flaw exists within the graphics processing subsystem that handles WebGL rendering operations, specifically in how the browser manages memory access during graphics command execution. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious web page crafts specific WebGL operations that exceed the bounds of allocated memory regions, enabling an attacker to manipulate memory locations beyond intended boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potential code execution. The Chromium security team classified this issue as critical due to its remote exploitability and the potential for arbitrary memory access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTML pages that leverage WebGL APIs to trigger memory corruption during graphics rendering. When Chrome processes these malicious WebGL commands, the underlying graphics driver or graphics library fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to read from or write to memory locations that should remain protected. This memory corruption can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the browser's memory space or to overwrite critical data structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the graphics processing level where memory access patterns are complex and difficult to validate.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform arbitrary memory operations that can be chained with other exploitation techniques. Remote attackers can construct malicious web pages that, when loaded in affected Chrome versions, will trigger the out-of-bounds conditions and execute code in the context of the browser process. This creates a significant risk for users who browse untrusted websites, as the attack requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious page. The vulnerability affects not only the browser's security model but also the underlying operating system's memory protection mechanisms, as successful exploitation can bypass standard security boundaries. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the victim's system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Chrome installations to version 146.0.7680.153 or later, as this release contains the necessary fixes for the WebGL memory validation issues. Organizations should implement proactive monitoring for any attempts to exploit this vulnerability through web-based attack vectors and ensure that all user endpoints maintain current browser versions. Browser vendors and security teams should also consider implementing additional protections such as memory sanitization techniques and enhanced WebGL command validation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under technique T1059.007 for web shell execution and T1566 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers may use this flaw to deliver additional payloads or establish persistent access. Additionally, defensive measures should include network-level filtering to block access to known malicious domains that may host exploit code, and user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits targeting graphics processing components.