CVE-2026-4677 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2026
Inappropriate implementation in WebAudio in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.165 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-4677 represents a critical memory safety issue within the WebAudio API implementation of Google Chrome browser versions prior to 146.0.7680.165. This flaw falls under the category of improper implementation within the browser's audio processing subsystem, specifically affecting how the WebAudio API handles memory allocation and access operations. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read condition that occurs when processing specially crafted HTML content, making it particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios where malicious actors can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from memory. The Chromium security severity classification of High indicates the significant risk this vulnerability poses to user systems and data confidentiality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient bounds checking mechanisms within the WebAudio API's memory management routines. When Chrome processes audio data through the WebAudio API, it allocates memory buffers to handle audio processing operations. However, the implementation fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries during audio processing operations, allowing an attacker to craft HTML content that triggers memory access beyond allocated buffer limits. This improper memory access pattern enables the remote attacker to read data from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The vulnerability specifically affects the audio processing pipeline where the browser handles audio node connections and data flow between different audio processing units.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to potentially gather sensitive data from the browser's memory space. An attacker could construct a malicious webpage that when loaded in a victim's browser would trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, allowing extraction of information from memory that could be used for further exploitation attempts. This includes potential access to other browser processes, session tokens, or application-specific data that might be stored in memory regions adjacent to the audio processing buffers. The remote nature of this attack means that victims could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. The vulnerability represents a classic example of a memory corruption issue that could potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation or information gathering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-4677 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 146.0.7680.165 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users may be exposed to web-based threats. Browser vendors have implemented additional safeguards such as memory protection mechanisms and improved bounds checking in the WebAudio API implementation to prevent similar issues from occurring. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious HTML content that might exploit this vulnerability. The mitigation approach aligns with industry best practices for addressing memory safety vulnerabilities and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring that browser components operate with minimal required access to system resources. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews for browser components, particularly those handling multimedia data processing where memory safety is critical. The issue demonstrates the ongoing need for robust input validation and memory management practices in complex software systems, particularly in browser environments where security is paramount.
This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses memory safety issues where programs read memory locations beyond their intended boundaries. The attack vector aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, although the specific technique used here is more focused on memory corruption rather than command execution. The vulnerability represents a typical example of how multimedia APIs in browsers can become attack surfaces when proper memory safety controls are not implemented, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of all browser components. Organizations should maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other browser components and implement defense-in-depth strategies that include both automated patching and manual security assessments to protect against similar memory safety issues. The remediation process for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the critical role that browser vendors play in maintaining secure web environments for users worldwide.