CVE-2026-5902 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2026
Race in Media in Google Chrome on Android prior to 147.0.7727.55 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to corrupt media stream metadata via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2026
This vulnerability represents a race condition affecting the media handling subsystem in Google Chrome on Android platforms. The flaw exists within the browser's renderer process implementation where concurrent access to media stream metadata objects creates opportunities for corruption. Attackers who have already compromised the renderer process through separate means can exploit this timing issue to manipulate media stream properties. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 147.0.7727.55 and demonstrates how process compromise can escalate to more subtle but impactful data corruption within browser components. The race condition occurs during media stream operations where multiple threads or processes attempt to modify metadata simultaneously without proper synchronization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate thread synchronization within Chrome's media processing pipeline. When a crafted HTML page triggers media stream operations, the renderer process fails to properly coordinate access to shared metadata structures. This creates a window where malicious code can inject or modify metadata values while other operations are in progress. The Chromium security team classified this as low severity, but the implications are significant for attackers who have already achieved initial compromise, as it provides a mechanism for further escalation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of process isolation and internal component coordination, highlighting gaps in how Chrome manages concurrent media operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability serves as a potential escalation vector for attackers who have already compromised the renderer process. While the initial compromise may not provide direct access to system resources, the ability to corrupt media stream metadata can enable more sophisticated attacks such as data exfiltration through media channels or manipulation of media-based applications. The impact extends beyond simple corruption as it can affect applications that rely on media stream integrity for security purposes. Attackers could potentially use this to create false media states that might bypass security checks or confuse security monitoring systems. The Android-specific nature of this vulnerability also means that mobile users face additional risk given the limited security boundaries present in mobile browser environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate patching and operational security improvements. Organizations should prioritize updating Chrome to version 147.0.7727.55 or later to address the race condition. Additionally, implementing process isolation hardening and monitoring for unusual media stream operations can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider the broader implications of renderer compromise and implement comprehensive monitoring of browser process behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper synchronization mechanisms in multi-threaded applications and reinforces the need for thorough testing of concurrent access patterns in browser components. This issue aligns with CWE-362 which addresses race conditions and demonstrates how such flaws can be exploited in browser environments where attackers have already established initial footholds.