CVE-2026-79007 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Uninitialized resource in GPU in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially read memory 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 an uninitialized resource in the GPU subsystem of Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65 represents a critical failure in state management within the browser's graphics processing unit interface. This flaw allows for the potential reading of memory outside the designated sandbox boundaries, which is particularly dangerous given that modern browsers rely heavily on process isolation and sandboxes to contain the impact of security breaches. The severity of this issue is classified as medium by Chromium standards, yet its implications extend beyond simple data leakage due to the specific context in which it occurs involving renderer processes.
The technical root cause lies in the improper initialization of a resource allocated for GPU operations. When the browser handles graphics commands or shader programs through an HTML page crafted specifically to exploit this condition, the system fails to properly set up necessary memory structures before they are accessed. This lack of initialization means that the GPU driver or the associated software layer may read from arbitrary memory locations rather than the intended buffer. In a typical execution flow, uninitialized variables often contain residual data from previous operations or random stack contents, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and information disclosure when these values are used for pointer arithmetic or array indexing during rendering tasks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability is significant because it requires the attacker to have already compromised the renderer process. This condition aligns with common attack vectors where a remote user exploits a separate vulnerability such as a cross-site scripting flaw or a type confusion bug in JavaScript execution to gain code execution within the untrusted renderer context. Once inside the sandboxed renderer, the attacker leverages this uninitialized resource issue to escape the confinement of that process. By triggering specific GPU commands via the crafted HTML page, the malicious actor can cause the browser to read memory from other processes or system areas that are normally inaccessible, effectively breaking out of the security boundary established by Chrome's multi-process architecture.
The impact of successfully exploiting this flaw includes unauthorized access to sensitive data residing in adjacent memory spaces. This could encompass cookies, session tokens, passwords stored locally, or internal state information belonging to other tabs or applications running on the same system. Such an escape from the sandbox undermines one of the primary defenses against remote code execution and data theft in web browsers. It allows a remote attacker who initially gained entry through standard web-based vectors to escalate their privileges within the browser environment and potentially access protected resources, thereby compromising user privacy and security integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later where these initialization checks have been corrected. For organizations managing large deployments of browsers, ensuring automatic update policies are in place is crucial to prevent exposure to such flaws until patches can be applied manually if necessary. Additionally, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling site isolation features and keeping operating system graphics drivers up to date can help mitigate the broader impact of renderer escapes by limiting the amount of sensitive data accessible within any single process context.
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous memory safety practices in complex software systems like web browsers where multiple layers of abstraction interact with hardware resources. The flaw maps closely to CWE-457 which describes the use of an uninitialized variable, a common source of vulnerabilities in C and C++ based applications. Furthermore, the exploitation path involving renderer process compromise aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to browser security bypasses and privilege escalation within application environments. Continuous monitoring for similar patterns in GPU-related code paths remains essential for maintaining robust browser security postures against evolving threat landscapes that target low-level system interfaces.