CVE-2026-79238
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Incorrect authorization in ServiceWorker in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to bypass web origin policy via a crafted Chrome extension. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an incorrect authorization flaw within the ServiceWorker component of Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65 represents a significant breach in browser-based access control mechanisms. This issue stems from a logical error in how permissions are validated when extensions interact with service workers, which are scripts that run independently of web pages and can handle background tasks such as caching resources or receiving push notifications. The core technical flaw involves the failure to properly enforce origin policies during specific interactions between maliciously crafted Chrome extensions and the underlying browser infrastructure. By exploiting this misconfiguration, an attacker could manipulate the extension's execution context to bypass standard security boundaries that are designed to isolate content from different origins. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-269, which denotes Improper Control of Interaction with Untrusted Input, specifically where the system fails to validate permissions before allowing actions that affect other domains or contexts.
The operational impact of this flaw relies heavily on social engineering tactics rather than purely automated exploitation techniques. A remote attacker must first convince a user to install a malicious Chrome extension designed to leverage this authorization bypass. Once installed, the crafted extension can execute code within an elevated privilege context due to the flawed permission checks in the ServiceWorker logic. This allows the extension to perform actions that would normally be restricted by web origin policies, such as accessing sensitive data from other websites or manipulating cross-origin resources without proper consent. The severity is rated as Medium because while the technical bypass is sophisticated and affects core browser security models, it requires user interaction for initial deployment, limiting its scope compared to zero-click remote code execution vulnerabilities. However, given the prevalence of social engineering attacks in modern threat landscapes, this risk remains substantial for end-users who may inadvertently install compromised extensions from unofficial sources or poorly vetted repositories.
From a strategic perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it involves executing code within the browser environment to achieve unauthorized access. It also relates to T1204, User Execution, since the attack vector necessitates user action in installing the malicious extension. The bypass of web origin policies undermines one of the fundamental pillars of web security, which is ensuring that scripts from one site cannot read or modify data from another without explicit permission. This erosion of trust can lead to unauthorized access to personal information, session hijacking, or further compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities in a targeted attack scenario. The flaw highlights the complexity inherent in managing permissions for browser extensions and service workers, where multiple layers of security must align correctly to prevent privilege escalation through logical errors rather than memory corruption bugs.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, which contains patches addressing the authorization logic within ServiceWorker components. Administrators and individual users should ensure that automatic updates are enabled for their browsers to receive security fixes promptly. Additionally, strict adherence to best practices regarding extension installation is critical; users should only install extensions from trusted sources such as the official Chrome Web Store after reviewing permissions requested by each application. Organizations can further mitigate this risk by implementing content security policies and using endpoint detection solutions that monitor for unusual behavior associated with malicious browser extensions. Regular audits of installed extensions and removal of unused or suspicious add-ons reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries seeking to exploit such authorization flaws.