CVE-2026-79270 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Uninitialized resource in ANGLE in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to read memory outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified within the ANGLE graphics library, which is integrated into Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65, represents a critical failure in memory management during resource initialization. ANGLE serves as the primary translation layer that converts WebGL and OpenGL ES API calls into native platform-specific graphics commands such as DirectX or Metal on Windows and macOS respectively. This specific flaw stems from an uninitialized resource state within the library's internal data structures. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specially constructed JavaScript code that triggers WebGL operations, they can exploit this lack of initialization to cause the application to access memory locations that were not properly allocated or cleared by the system.
This technical flaw directly facilitates a sandbox escape scenario, which is among the most severe categories of browser vulnerabilities. The Chromium security severity rating for this issue as Medium reflects its potential impact rather than just its complexity. By leveraging the uninitialized resource, an attacker can read memory contents that reside outside the restricted execution environment known as the renderer sandbox. This sandbox is designed to isolate web content from the rest of the operating system and user data. Bypassing it allows the malicious code to access sensitive information such as cookies, local storage data, or potentially other process memory if further exploitation techniques are applied in conjunction with this initial read primitive.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-457 which describes the use of an uninitialized variable. In the context of modern web browsers and graphics libraries, using uninitialized memory often leads to information disclosure because the memory may contain residual data from previous operations or allocations that were not securely wiped. This behavior is also indicative of a potential path toward arbitrary code execution if the attacker can manipulate how this leaked memory content influences subsequent control flow decisions within the browser process. The attack vector is classified as remote, meaning no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage is required to trigger the exploit, provided the victim has an affected version of Chrome installed and WebGL support enabled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage. While the immediate effect is unauthorized memory access, such vulnerabilities are frequently used as stepping stones in multi-stage attacks. An attacker might use the initial read primitive to leak pointers or security cookies that protect against other exploitation techniques like return-oriented programming. This significantly lowers the barrier for achieving full system compromise. Furthermore, because ANGLE handles low-level graphics processing, errors here can have cascading effects on browser stability and performance, potentially leading to denial of service conditions if the memory corruption causes crashes in critical rendering threads.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later where these initialization checks have been corrected by the Chromium development team. For organizations managing large fleets of devices, automated patch management systems should be configured to prioritize this update due to its remote exploitability and sandbox escape nature. Additionally, security teams can implement browser hardening policies that restrict WebGL access for untrusted users if such functionality is not strictly required for business operations. Monitoring network traffic for unusual outbound connections following visits to suspicious web pages may also help detect potential exploitation attempts in real-time before significant damage occurs.
In terms of threat intelligence and detection engineering, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and script interpreters, specifically when used via browser-based exploits. It also relates to T1074 regarding data staged for collection or exfiltration if the leaked memory is transmitted out of band. Security analysts should look for indicators such as high-frequency WebGL context creation followed by rapid termination patterns in process monitoring tools, which may signal an attempt to trigger this specific uninitialized resource condition. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing that include browser-based attack simulations are essential to identify similar flaws before they can be weaponized by threat actors targeting enterprise environments or individual users relying on Chrome for sensitive activities.