CVE-2026-4673 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2026
Heap buffer overflow in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.165 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory write via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2026
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-4673 resides within the WebAudio component of Google Chrome, representing a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 146.0.7680.165. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when the browser processes crafted HTML pages containing malicious audio data that triggers an out-of-bounds memory write operation, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute code on affected systems. The Chromium security severity classification of High indicates the significant risk this vulnerability poses to user security and system integrity.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs within the WebAudio API implementation where audio processing routines fail to properly validate input data boundaries before writing to allocated heap memory regions. When a malicious HTML page loads audio content with specially crafted parameters, the audio processing engine attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical data structures or injecting malicious code into the browser's memory space. The attack vector requires remote code execution through a web page, making it particularly dangerous as users can be compromised simply by visiting malicious websites.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-4673 extends beyond immediate exploitation capabilities to encompass broader security implications for web browser users and enterprise environments. Organizations running affected Chrome versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system compromise through drive-by downloads or phishing campaigns that leverage this vulnerability. The remote nature of the attack means that users cannot easily protect themselves by avoiding certain websites or content, as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing activities. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment, as attackers can craft malicious web pages that exploit this flaw to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise networks where Chrome browsers are widely deployed, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to corporate systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-4673 primarily focus on immediate patching and deployment of Chrome version 146.0.7680.165 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent the heap buffer overflow condition. Organizations should prioritize updating their Chrome installations across all endpoints and implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Network administrators can implement additional protective measures such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to detect and block malicious web content that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Browser hardening techniques including disabling unnecessary audio APIs, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping browser software updated and implementing comprehensive security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious web content that could exploit such flaws in web browser implementations.