CVE-2026-79240 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Out of bounds write in ANGLE in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an out-of-bounds write within the ANGLE graphics library in Google Chrome represents a critical memory safety flaw that compromises the integrity of the browser's execution environment. ANGLE serves as a translation layer between web applications and native GPU APIs, such as OpenGL ES or Vulkan, allowing web content to render complex 2D and 3D graphics efficiently. When this component processes malformed input from a crafted HTML page containing malicious JavaScript or WebGL commands, it fails to properly validate memory access boundaries during the rendering pipeline operations. This lack of rigorous bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated buffer limits into adjacent memory regions.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which describes situations where software writes data past the end or before the beginning of the intended buffer. In the context of Google Chrome's multi-process architecture, ANGLE operates within the GPU process sandbox to limit the potential damage from exploits. However, an out-of-bounds write can corrupt heap metadata, overwrite function pointers, or alter control flow structures in memory locations that are still accessible by the compromised process. If the attacker can carefully craft the payload to manipulate these overwritten values, they may achieve arbitrary code execution within the sandboxed GPU process environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for remote exploitation via a simple web page visit. An adversary does not need physical access or user interaction beyond navigating to a malicious site. By leveraging browser-specific features such as WebGL shaders or specific canvas operations, the attacker can trigger the faulty memory write sequence. Although Chrome employs robust sandboxing mechanisms designed to contain breaches within isolated processes, successful exploitation of this flaw could allow an attacker to escape the GPU process sandbox if subsequent steps in the exploit chain are successfully executed. This escalation would grant the attacker a foothold on the victim's system with the privileges of the browser user account, potentially leading to further lateral movement or data exfiltration depending on the context and additional vulnerabilities present.
This incident aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers use software vulnerabilities in client applications like web browsers to execute malicious code. The high severity rating assigned by Chromium security reflects the ease of exploitation through standard web technologies and the potential for privilege escalation from a sandboxed context. Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the latest browser updates provided by Google, which include patches that enforce stricter memory boundary checks within the ANGLE library developers also recommend disabling WebGL in untrusted environments or using enterprise policies to restrict access to potentially dangerous APIs if immediate patching is not feasible. Regular security audits of third-party libraries integrated into web applications and adherence to secure coding practices regarding buffer management are essential preventive measures against similar out-of-bounds vulnerabilities in future software versions.