CVE-2026-79049 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Incorrect reference resolution in Passwords in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to bypass system access restrictions via a crafted file. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an incorrect reference resolution within the password management subsystem of Google Chrome, specifically in versions prior to 152.0.7977.65, represents a significant flaw in how the browser handles file references during credential storage and retrieval operations. This issue stems from improper validation or sanitization of input paths when interacting with local system resources, allowing an attacker who can influence the context in which these files are accessed to manipulate the resolution process. The core technical defect lies in the failure to strictly enforce expected directory structures or canonical path formats, creating a scenario where relative or symbolic links could be exploited to redirect operations to unintended locations within the file system. This type of error is classically categorized under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which highlights the risk associated with insufficient checks on user-supplied input that determines file access paths.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a remote attacker to bypass system access restrictions by crafting specific files or manipulating existing ones in ways that exploit the browser's trust in its own internal references. By leveraging crafted inputs, an adversary can potentially read sensitive data stored outside of intended secure containers or write malicious content into protected directories associated with password storage mechanisms. The impact is particularly severe because it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of saved credentials, which are often used as primary authentication factors for numerous online services. If an attacker successfully exploits this flaw, they may gain unauthorized access to user accounts by extracting stored passwords or injecting fake credential files that trick the browser into submitting incorrect login information, thereby facilitating account takeover attacks without requiring direct interaction with the target's active session in many scenarios.
The exploitation vector typically involves social engineering combined with technical precision, where a victim is induced to open a specially crafted file or visit a malicious webpage that triggers the vulnerable code path within Chrome’s password handler. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552: Unsecured Credentials, specifically sub-techniques involving direct access to local system files such as Credential Dumping via Local File Inclusion or similar mechanisms depending on the exact implementation details of the reference resolution flaw. The medium severity rating assigned by Chromium reflects that while exploitation requires specific conditions and potentially user interaction, the potential for data exfiltration and authentication bypass makes it a high-value target for threat actors aiming to establish persistent access or steal sensitive information from compromised endpoints.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate software updates as the primary defense mechanism. Users should upgrade Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, where this reference resolution logic has been corrected to enforce strict path validation and prevent traversal attacks through crafted file inputs. In environments where automatic updating is not feasible, administrators should implement application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted scripts or files within directories known to be used by Chrome for credential storage. Additionally, enabling sandboxing features provided by modern operating systems can limit the impact of such vulnerabilities by isolating browser processes from critical system resources and user data stores. Regular auditing of file permissions on local drives where sensitive application data resides is also recommended to ensure that even if a reference resolution flaw is exploited, the attacker cannot escalate privileges or access files outside their intended scope due to restrictive operating system-level controls.