CVE-2026-4452 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
Integer overflow in ANGLE in Google Chrome on Windows prior to 146.0.7680.153 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-4452 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the ANGLE graphics library component of Google Chrome running on Windows systems. ANGLE serves as a translation layer that converts OpenGL ES commands into DirectX commands, enabling WebGL and other graphics-intensive web applications to function seamlessly across different hardware platforms. This specific flaw occurs when processing crafted HTML content that triggers an integer overflow during memory allocation calculations, creating a scenario where the application attempts to allocate memory blocks that exceed the system's capacity or cause unexpected behavior in the heap management subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent properties of integer arithmetic in programming languages where calculations can exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the data type, causing the value to wrap around to a much smaller number. In the context of memory allocation, when an integer overflow occurs during size calculations for heap allocations, the application may allocate insufficient memory or even negative memory sizes, leading to heap corruption. This corruption can result in memory overwrite conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to Chrome 146.0.7680.153, indicating that Google has implemented fixes in subsequent releases to address this particular flaw.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to users who browse the internet regularly, as it can be exploited through malicious websites without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting the compromised page. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can craft HTML pages containing malicious graphics commands that trigger the overflow condition when rendered by Chrome's ANGLE component. The heap corruption resulting from this vulnerability can lead to various security consequences including privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, and potential system compromise. The Chromium security severity rating of High reflects the dangerous nature of the flaw, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to gain unauthorized access to affected systems through web-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-4452 primarily focus on immediate system updates and patch management to ensure that all affected Chrome installations are upgraded to version 146.0.7680.153 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to rapidly deploy these updates across their networks, particularly given the high severity classification. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, deploying content security policies, and utilizing sandboxing techniques that limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or graphics rendering behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defense-in-depth perspective, organizations should consider implementing browser hardening configurations and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through network-level controls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of how graphics libraries can become attack vectors in modern web browsers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Memory Corruption" attacks, emphasizing the critical nature of such flaws in compromising system security.