CVE-2026-79250 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
UI misrepresentation in Navigation in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to spoof address bar 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 UI misrepresentation in the navigation process of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 152.0.7977.65, represents a significant threat to user trust and secure browsing practices. This flaw allows a remote attacker to manipulate the visual representation of the address bar through a crafted HTML page, effectively deceiving users about the true origin or destination of the content they are viewing. By spoofing the address bar, an adversary can create a false sense of security, leading victims to believe they are interacting with legitimate and trusted websites when in fact they may be on malicious domains designed for phishing, credential harvesting, or further exploitation.
From a technical perspective, this issue stems from how Chrome handles navigation state updates relative to UI rendering during complex page loads or redirects. The browser failed to correctly synchronize the displayed URL with the actual network request being executed under specific conditions triggered by crafted HTML structures. This desynchronization creates a window where the user interface displays one Uniform Resource Locator while the underlying connection is established with another, potentially malicious endpoint. Such behavior undermines the fundamental security model of web browsers which relies heavily on users accurately identifying safe domains before entering sensitive information or performing transactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is primarily centered around social engineering and phishing attacks. Attackers can leverage this UI spoofing capability to craft highly convincing fake login pages that appear identical to popular services such as email providers, banking institutions, or e-commerce platforms. Because the address bar displays a trusted domain name while the actual content originates from an attacker-controlled server, users are significantly more likely to surrender credentials or personal data without suspicion. This type of attack bypasses traditional security awareness training because it exploits visual cues rather than technical flaws in authentication mechanisms themselves.
In terms of industry standards and classification frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Sent Data, specifically regarding the misleading presentation of data to the user interface layer. It also maps closely to ATT&CK technique T1498: Network Sniffing/Reflection or more accurately T1566.001: Phishing: Spearphishing Link when considering the delivery mechanism and intent. The severity is rated as Medium by Chromium security standards because while it does not allow direct code execution, it facilitates broader attack chains that can lead to high-impact outcomes such as account compromise or financial loss through deception.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate updates to Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later where the navigation state synchronization logic has been corrected. Organizations should enforce automated browser update policies across all endpoints to ensure users are protected against known UI spoofing techniques. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize verifying domain names through multiple indicators beyond just the address bar display, such as checking for valid SSL certificates and using bookmarked links rather than clicking on hyperlinks from untrusted sources. Implementing content security policies that restrict navigation contexts can also provide an additional layer of defense against these types of deceptive practices.