CVE-2026-79120 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Uninitialized resource in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to potentially obtain cross-origin data via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within the ANGLE graphics library, which is integrated into Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65, represents a critical failure in resource initialization that can lead to unauthorized data access across browser origins. This flaw stems from an uninitialized memory state or object reference within the translation layer between WebGL and underlying native graphics APIs such as OpenGL, Vulkan, or Direct3D. When ANGLE processes specific graphical commands or shader compilations triggered by maliciously crafted HTML pages containing JavaScript and WebGL content, it fails to properly initialize certain internal resources before they are accessed or utilized for rendering operations. This oversight creates a window of opportunity where the browser may read from or write to memory locations that have not been securely set up with appropriate permissions or boundaries.
From a technical perspective, this uninitialized resource issue falls under the category of improper initialization vulnerabilities, commonly classified as CWE-908 in the Common Weakness Enumeration database. The core mechanism involves the use of stale pointers or default values that may contain sensitive information from previous operations or memory allocations. In the context of web browsers, such errors can disrupt the strict isolation model enforced by the same-origin policy. If an attacker can manipulate the uninitialized state to point towards a buffer containing data from another origin, they might be able to exfiltrate cross-origin data through side-channel attacks or direct memory reads facilitated by WebGL operations. This is particularly dangerous because it bypasses standard sandboxing mechanisms that rely on correct resource management and boundary checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability allows for potential remote code execution scenarios where the primary goal is information disclosure rather than system compromise. A remote attacker can host a malicious webpage designed to exploit this flaw by sending specific WebGL commands or shader programs to the victim's browser. Upon loading, the page triggers the uninitialized resource condition within ANGLE, potentially allowing the extraction of sensitive data such as cookies, session tokens, or private content from other websites accessed in the same browser instance. This undermines user privacy and can facilitate further attacks like session hijacking or credential theft. The Chromium security team has rated this issue with a medium severity level, reflecting its potential for exploitation but also acknowledging that it may require specific conditions or advanced techniques to fully leverage against modern mitigations present in Chrome.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, users and administrators should ensure that Google Chrome is updated to version 152.0.7977.65 or later immediately upon availability. This update includes patches that enforce proper initialization sequences for all resources within the ANGLE library before they are exposed to WebGL operations. Additionally, organizations can implement strict Content Security Policy headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and limit access to potentially dangerous APIs if immediate patching is not feasible. Monitoring browser logs for unusual WebGL activity or memory allocation patterns may also help in detecting attempted exploitation. It is crucial to maintain up-to-date security practices as this flaw aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to collection via input capture and potential privilege escalation through improper resource handling, emphasizing the need for rigorous code review and automated static analysis tools focused on initialization checks in graphics-intensive applications.