CVE-2026-79013 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Improper input validation in Sync in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via crafted network traffic. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an improper input validation flaw within the synchronization component of Google Chrome, specifically in versions prior to 152.0.7977.65, represents a significant risk to user data confidentiality. This issue stems from insufficient sanitization and verification mechanisms applied to network traffic processed by the browser's sync engine. When a remote attacker crafts specific network packets designed to exploit this weakness, they can trigger unintended behavior within the application that leads to the exposure of sensitive information. The severity is classified as Medium by Chromium security standards, indicating that while exploitation requires some level of sophistication or specific conditions, the potential impact on user privacy and data integrity is substantial enough to warrant immediate attention.
From a technical perspective, input validation failures in synchronization modules often occur when the application fails to properly check the structure, type, or content of incoming data before processing it for local storage or further transmission. In this context, crafted network traffic likely manipulates internal state variables or memory structures associated with synced user profiles, bookmarks, passwords, or browsing history. By sending specially constructed requests that bypass expected validation checks, an attacker can cause the browser to leak information that should remain isolated within the secure sync channel. This could include exposing authentication tokens, session cookies, or other credentials stored locally and synchronized across devices, thereby compromising the confidentiality of the user's digital identity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered on data leakage rather than remote code execution or system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw does not gain direct control over the victim's machine but can extract valuable intelligence that facilitates further attacks such as account takeover, phishing campaigns, or targeted social engineering. Since synchronization involves multiple devices and cloud services, a breach in one instance could potentially propagate sensitive data across all linked endpoints if the underlying sync mechanism is compromised. This amplifies the risk profile significantly, turning a local browser issue into a broader enterprise or personal security concern depending on the user's ecosystem.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and falls under the MITRE ATT&CK technique of T1539 Steal Web Session Cookie, as well as potentially T1005 Data from Local System if it involves accessing stored credentials or history files via memory corruption techniques enabled by the validation failure. The exploitation vector is remote, meaning no physical access or prior authentication to the victim's system is required beyond convincing the user to visit a malicious site or interact with crafted network traffic that triggers the sync component's processing logic.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. Users should update Google Chrome immediately to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, where these validation checks have been reinforced. For organizations managing fleets of devices, deploying automated browser update policies is critical to ensure all endpoints are protected against this specific flaw. Additionally, implementing strict Content Security Policies and monitoring for anomalous network traffic patterns can help detect attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities in real-time. Developers should also adopt secure coding practices that emphasize rigorous input validation at every boundary where external data enters the application logic, particularly within components handling sensitive user synchronization tasks.