CVE-2026-78906 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Race condition 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 CVE-2024-8389 represents a critical race condition within the ANGLE graphics library, which serves as the translation layer between web applications and native GPU drivers in Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65. This flaw arises from improper synchronization mechanisms when handling concurrent access to shared resources during the rendering pipeline execution. Specifically, the race condition occurs when multiple threads or asynchronous operations attempt to modify or read state variables related to graphics context management without adequate locking or atomicity guarantees. An attacker can exploit this timing window by crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers simultaneous requests for GPU resource allocation and deallocation, thereby manipulating the internal state of the renderer process in an unpredictable manner.
From a technical perspective, this race condition falls under CWE-362, which classifies concurrent execution using shared resources with improper synchronization. The exploitation vector relies on precise timing to bypass the intended isolation boundaries established by the browser sandbox architecture. By carefully crafting JavaScript code that initiates specific WebGL or Canvas operations at exact intervals, an attacker can cause a use-after-free scenario or memory corruption within the renderer process. This corruption allows for arbitrary code execution because the compromised state enables the injection of malicious payloads into memory regions that are typically protected from direct user-space access. The severity is rated as Medium by Chromium security teams due to the complexity required to reliably trigger the race condition across different hardware and driver configurations, yet its potential impact remains significant given the sandbox escape capability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage or denial of service. Successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the confines of the browser's sandbox environment. This means that once the renderer process is compromised through the race condition, the attacker gains control over the underlying operating system context associated with that process. Depending on user privileges and security configurations, this could lead to full system compromise, installation of persistent malware, or access to sensitive local files and network resources. The ability to escape the sandbox effectively neutralizes one of the primary defense-in-depth layers employed by modern web browsers, making this a high-risk vulnerability for enterprise environments where browser-based attacks are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, which includes patches that enforce stricter synchronization protocols within the ANGLE library. These updates likely introduce additional checks to ensure thread safety during resource management operations and prevent the specific timing windows exploited by attackers. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators should consider implementing network-level filtering rules to block access to untrusted web content or disable WebGL functionality if it is not strictly required for business operations. Additionally, enabling advanced security features such as Site Isolation can help limit the blast radius of any potential exploitation attempts by ensuring that different origins are rendered in separate processes with distinct memory spaces.
This incident aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, specifically highlighting how vulnerabilities in client-side software like browsers are leveraged to achieve initial access and privilege escalation. The race condition mechanism also reflects patterns seen in CWE-416, Use After Free, as the improper handling of object lifecycles during concurrent operations often leads to dangling pointer dereferences. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise that suggest attempts to exploit graphics driver vulnerabilities or unusual memory allocation patterns within browser processes. Regular vulnerability assessments and timely application of security patches remain the most effective defense against such sophisticated exploitation techniques targeting widely used web rendering engines.