CVE-2026-79132 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Improper input validation in Input in Google Chrome on on Android prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process 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 in Google Chrome for Android prior to version 152.0.7977.65 represents a critical failure in input validation mechanisms within the browser's rendering engine. This flaw, classified under CWE-20 as Improper Input Validation, allows an attacker who has already achieved code execution within the renderer process sandbox to escalate privileges and escape the security boundaries that isolate web content from the rest of the operating system. The severity is rated as Medium by Chromium standards because while it requires a specific precondition such as compromising the renderer, the potential impact involves arbitrary code execution outside the restrictive sandbox environment which protects user data and system integrity.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient sanitization or type checking of input parameters passed between components within the browser architecture. When a crafted HTML page is processed by the rendering engine, specific inputs are not adequately validated against expected formats or constraints. This oversight enables an attacker to manipulate internal state variables or memory structures in ways that were not anticipated by the developers. By exploiting this improper validation, the malicious payload can trigger undefined behavior within the browser's core components, leading to a buffer overflow or similar memory corruption issue that facilitates control over program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is significant for users relying on Chrome for Android as their primary web browsing tool. Although the initial attack vector requires compromising the renderer process, which typically involves exploiting another vulnerability in JavaScript code or browser extensions, the subsequent privilege escalation allows the attacker to bypass sandbox restrictions. This means that once inside the renderer, an adversary can execute arbitrary commands with higher privileges, potentially accessing sensitive user data such as cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history stored outside the sandboxed environment. The ability to escape the sandbox effectively neutralizes one of the most important security layers in modern web browsers, leaving the underlying Android operating system vulnerable to further exploitation or persistent malware installation.
This vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically regarding how attackers use crafted inputs to execute code within a compromised environment, as well as T1218 System Binary Proxy Execution if the escape leads to launching legitimate system tools for malicious purposes. It also relates to CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command when considering the potential for command injection following sandbox escape. The existence of such flaws highlights the ongoing challenge browsers face in maintaining strict isolation boundaries while processing complex and dynamic web content.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome on Android devices immediately to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, where these input validation checks have been hardened. Users should enable automatic updates to ensure timely patching of such vulnerabilities as they are discovered by the Chromium security team. Additionally, employing content security policies and restricting the execution of untrusted scripts can reduce the likelihood of initial renderer compromise. Security administrators should also monitor for unusual network activity or process behavior that might indicate an attempt to exploit this specific input validation flaw in older browser versions still present on managed devices.