CVE-2026-79236 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside 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 the V8 JavaScript engine, which powers Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65, represents a critical failure in memory safety and runtime type checking mechanisms. Type confusions occur when an application incorrectly assumes that a variable or object is of one data type while it actually holds another, leading to undefined behavior during execution. In the context of V8, this flaw allows for improper handling of JavaScript objects where the engine fails to correctly validate the expected structure versus the actual memory layout provided by user input. This discrepancy enables an attacker to manipulate internal pointers or object headers in ways that bypass standard security boundaries, effectively creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in how V8 manages heap-allocated objects and their associated metadata during garbage collection or property access operations. When a crafted HTML page is processed, specific JavaScript constructs can trigger conditions where the engine misinterprets an object’s type tag or shape. This misinterpretation allows for out-of-bounds reads or writes to adjacent memory regions that are not intended to be accessible by the script execution context. By carefully crafting input sequences, an attacker can achieve arbitrary read and write primitives, which serve as the foundational building blocks for more complex exploitation chains such as sandbox escapes. The severity of this issue is classified as High because it directly impacts the core integrity of the browser’s isolation model, potentially allowing malicious code to break out of the renderer process and interact with system-level resources or other tabs.
The operational impact of exploiting this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution within a single tab. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution on the victim's machine under the context of the current user account. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing attackers to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data such as cookies or session tokens, or pivot into internal network resources if accessible from the browser environment. The attack vector is classified as remote because it requires only that a victim visits a maliciously crafted webpage, making social engineering tactics like phishing links highly effective delivery mechanisms for this exploit.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-843, which addresses access of incorrect type or accessing memory outside the bounds of an array, specifically in contexts where dynamic typing and garbage collection introduce complexity that can lead to mismanagement of object states. Furthermore, from a tactical perspective related to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates initial access through tricking users into visiting malicious sites (T1189) and enables privilege escalation or defense evasion techniques by escaping the browser sandbox (T1055). The exploitation chain typically involves leveraging the type confusion to gain arbitrary memory read/write capabilities, followed by heap spraying or other techniques to stabilize the exploit and achieve code execution.
Mitigation for this vulnerability primarily relies on applying the security patches provided in Google Chrome version 152.0.7977.65 and later releases. Organizations should ensure that all endpoints are updated with the latest browser versions to close these memory safety gaps. Additionally, implementing strict Content Security Policy headers can help mitigate some downstream effects by restricting script execution sources, although this does not prevent exploitation of client-side engine flaws like type confusions. Users are advised to enable automatic updates for their browsers and avoid visiting untrusted or suspicious websites until the patch is applied. For enterprise environments, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that monitor for anomalous browser behavior can provide an additional layer of defense against exploits attempting to escape sandbox boundaries.