CVE-2026-79199 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Incorrect authorization in Network in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to bypass system access restrictions via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an incorrect authorization issue within the network subsystem of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 152.0.7977.65, represents a significant breach in access control mechanisms that govern how web content interacts with system resources. This flaw stems from a logical error or insufficient validation checks during the processing of network requests initiated by maliciously crafted HTML pages. In modern browser architectures, strict separation between untrusted web content and privileged host systems is paramount to prevent privilege escalation attacks. When this boundary is compromised due to improper authorization logic, it allows remote attackers to execute actions that should be restricted based on user permissions or security policies. The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium by the Chromium project, indicating that while exploitation requires specific conditions such as social engineering or a targeted attack vector, the potential impact on system integrity and data confidentiality remains substantial for affected users.
From a technical perspective, the core flaw lies in how the browser handles authorization tokens or permission checks when processing network-related operations triggered by web pages. Typically, browsers enforce same-origin policies and other sandboxing techniques to limit what scripts can do. However, if the authorization check is bypassed via a crafted HTML page, an attacker could potentially access sensitive APIs, exfiltrate data from protected origins, or manipulate system-level configurations that are normally shielded from web-based interactions. This type of vulnerability often involves race conditions, improper state management, or flawed logic in the permission grant flow where the browser fails to verify if the requesting entity has the requisite privileges before allowing the operation to proceed. The ability to bypass these restrictions means that a remote attacker does not need local access or physical presence on the target machine, making this a remotely exploitable threat vector.
The operational impact of such a vulnerability is multifaceted, affecting both individual users and organizational security postures. For end-users, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized data collection, session hijacking, or further compromise through subsequent attacks that leverage the initial foothold gained via the network access bypass. In enterprise environments where Chrome is deployed as part of a managed browser policy, this flaw undermines the effectiveness of centralized security controls and content filtering solutions. Attackers can use this vulnerability to evade detection mechanisms that rely on standard web traffic patterns or permission boundaries, thereby increasing the risk of data breaches and compliance violations. The medium severity rating suggests that while widespread automated exploitation might be limited by the need for a crafted page, targeted attacks against high-value targets remain a credible threat.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, immediate action is required to update Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, where these authorization checks have been corrected and hardened. Organizations should ensure that their patch management processes are aligned with rapid security release cycles typical of major browser vendors. Additionally, implementing strict content security policies (CSP) can help restrict the types of scripts and resources allowed to execute within web pages, reducing the attack surface even if a vulnerability exists in the underlying engine. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to unusual network requests or unauthorized access attempts that might signal exploitation activity. Regular audits of browser configurations and adherence to industry standards such as CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management are essential for maintaining robust defense-in-depth strategies against similar authorization flaws.
This incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous code review and automated testing in complex software systems like web browsers, where subtle logic errors can have outsized security consequences. By addressing this vulnerability promptly and reinforcing access control mechanisms across all layers of the application stack, stakeholders can significantly reduce their exposure to remote exploitation attempts that seek to bypass system-level protections through crafted web content.