CVE-2026-79175 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Type confusion in Accessibility in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as a type confusion issue within Google Chrome's accessibility subsystem represents a significant breach in the browser's internal memory safety guarantees, specifically affecting versions prior to 152.0.7977.65 on Windows operating systems. Type confusions occur when an application incorrectly interprets the data type of a variable or object during execution, leading to operations being performed on data structures that do not match their expected format. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome handles accessibility objects, which are critical for enabling assistive technologies such as screen readers and voice control software to interact with web content. The security severity is classified as High by Chromium standards because it directly impacts the integrity of the browser's core rendering engine and its isolation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution outside the sandbox environment. Typically, Chrome employs a multi-process architecture where renderer processes are confined within a strict security sandbox to limit the damage an attacker can cause if they successfully exploit a web-based flaw. However, by leveraging this type confusion in the accessibility layer, a compromised renderer process could manipulate internal pointers or object references incorrectly. This manipulation allows the malicious code to bypass the sandbox boundaries and execute arbitrary commands with higher privileges on the host system. The attack vector involves a crafted HTML page that an attacker can distribute via phishing emails, malicious websites, or drive-by downloads, requiring no user interaction beyond visiting the site if other conditions are met.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with CWE-843, which describes access to incorrect type during conversion between types of data. The accessibility subsystem in Chrome manages complex object hierarchies and event handlers that map DOM elements to assistive technology interfaces. When memory is allocated or accessed incorrectly due to the type confusion, it can lead to heap corruption or arbitrary read/write primitives. These low-level memory errors are frequently exploited by attackers to achieve code execution because they provide a reliable mechanism to control program flow and inject shellcode into valid process spaces. The presence of this vulnerability underscores the complexity of maintaining strict type safety in large-scale software projects where multiple subsystems interact dynamically.
In terms of threat intelligence frameworks, this exploit scenario maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically when used for lateral movement or privilege escalation after initial access is gained through the renderer process compromise. It also relates to T1218, Signed Binary Proxy Execution, if the attacker leverages legitimate system binaries facilitated by the sandbox escape. The ability to execute code outside the sandbox effectively neutralizes one of Chrome's primary defense-in-depth strategies, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where browsers are often used with elevated trust levels or integrated with other security tools that rely on process isolation.
Mitigation for this issue primarily involves immediate patching by updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to correct the type handling logic within the accessibility module. Organizations should enforce automated update policies to ensure all endpoints are protected against known vulnerabilities in their web browsers. Additionally, security teams can implement application control solutions such as Windows Defender Application Control or AppLocker to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts and binaries, thereby reducing the impact even if a sandbox escape occurs. Network segmentation and strict content security policies for internal web applications can also limit the exposure to crafted HTML pages delivered from external sources. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on browser-based attack vectors are recommended to identify similar misconfigurations or outdated software components before they can be exploited by threat actors.