CVE-2026-78905 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Type confusion in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as a type confusion flaw within ANGLE, the graphics rendering engine utilized by Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65, represents a critical memory safety issue that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when an application incorrectly interprets data of one type as another, leading to undefined behavior and potential exploitation. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in how ANGLE handles object types during rendering operations, allowing for improper casting or access patterns that bypass expected memory boundaries. This misinterpretation enables a remote attacker who crafts a malicious HTML page containing specially constructed JavaScript and WebGL calls to trigger incorrect type handling within the graphics pipeline. The severity of this issue is classified as Medium by Chromium security teams, reflecting its potential impact on system integrity despite being contained within a sandboxed environment under normal circumstances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or denial of service. Because ANGLE interfaces directly with GPU drivers and low-level graphics APIs such as OpenGL ES or Vulkan, the type confusion can lead to arbitrary code execution outside the Chrome sandbox if specific conditions are met during rendering. The attacker leverages a crafted HTML page that exploits the misinterpretation of object types to manipulate memory structures in ways that allow for control flow hijacking or data exfiltration. This capability effectively neutralizes one of the primary defense layers of modern web browsers, which relies on strict isolation between renderer processes and the operating system kernel. By escaping the sandbox through this graphics engine flaw, an attacker could potentially install malware, steal sensitive user credentials, or pivot to further attacks within the host environment.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-843, Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type, which describes scenarios where software accesses memory using a type that is incompatible with how the data was originally allocated or intended. The exploitation vector involves complex interactions between JavaScript execution and native C++ code within ANGLE, highlighting the risks associated with binding layers in high-performance applications. Furthermore, this incident maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers use vulnerabilities in client-side software like browsers to execute malicious payloads on victim systems. The attack requires user interaction in the form of visiting a compromised or attacker-controlled webpage, making it a remote code execution vector that depends on social engineering or drive-by download tactics to initiate the exploit chain.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching and version updates. Users running Google Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.65 must update to the latest stable release where the type confusion in ANGLE has been resolved through stricter type checking and bounds validation within the graphics rendering codebase. For organizations managing large fleets of devices, automated patch management systems should be configured to prioritize browser updates due to the high prevalence of Chrome as a web client. Additionally, security teams can implement application control policies that restrict the execution of untrusted scripts or limit WebGL capabilities in environments where type confusion exploits pose an elevated risk. Monitoring for anomalous GPU memory access patterns and ensuring that sandboxing configurations are strictly enforced can provide additional layers of defense against similar exploitation attempts targeting graphics engines.