CVE-2026-79259
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Improper input validation in Safebrowsing in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to bypass system access restrictions via a crafted file. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as an improper input validation flaw within the Safe Browsing component of Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65 represents a significant deviation from expected secure coding practices regarding data sanitization and boundary checking. This specific defect allows for the bypassing of system access restrictions through the utilization of a specially crafted file, indicating that the application failed to adequately verify or restrict the content, structure, or metadata contained within files processed by the Safe Browsing subsystem. In modern web browsers, components like Safe Browsing are designed to inspect downloaded resources and visited URLs against known threat databases to prevent users from accessing malicious sites or downloading harmful payloads. When input validation is insufficient in such a critical security layer, it creates an avenue for attackers to manipulate how these files are interpreted by the browser engine, potentially leading to unauthorized actions that circumvent standard sandboxing mechanisms designed to isolate web content from the underlying operating system.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and potentially CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component if the crafted file exploits how data is passed between components within the browser architecture. The attacker's ability to bypass system access restrictions suggests that the vulnerability may involve privilege escalation or sandbox escape techniques, where maliciously formatted input tricks the Safe Browsing module into executing code or accessing resources outside its intended scope. This could manifest as arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges if the crafted file triggers a logic error in how permissions are evaluated before processing begins. The severity is classified as Medium by Chromium security standards because while it requires user interaction to load the specific crafted file, the potential impact on system integrity and confidentiality is substantial due to the breach of isolation boundaries that protect the host environment from web-based threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure or denial of service. By bypassing access restrictions, an attacker could potentially install malware, exfiltrate sensitive user data stored locally by the browser such as cookies and credentials, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network attacks. The existence of such a flaw undermines trust in the browser's ability to safely handle untrusted content from the internet. Users relying on Chrome’s Safe Browsing feature expect that downloaded files are scanned and handled securely; this vulnerability indicates a gap where malicious actors can exploit parsing inconsistencies or logic errors to evade these protections. Consequently, systems running affected versions remain susceptible to targeted attacks leveraging social engineering tactics to deliver the crafted file via phishing emails, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads.
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 input validation checks have been hardened and corrected by the Chromium development team. Organizations should enforce automated patch management policies to ensure that all endpoints are updated promptly upon release of security fixes. Additionally, users can employ defense-in-depth strategies such as enabling strict content security policies in enterprise environments, utilizing endpoint detection and response solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous process creation following file downloads, and restricting the execution of scripts from untrusted locations. Regular auditing of browser configurations and disabling unnecessary plugins or extensions that may interact with downloaded files further reduces the attack surface. Awareness training regarding suspicious attachments and links remains a critical complementary measure to technical controls in preventing exploitation of input validation flaws like this one.