CVE-2026-87457 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Race condition in Updater in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a local attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a local program. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7934 represents a critical race condition within the update mechanism of Google Chrome on Windows operating systems prior to version 153.0.8010.36. This flaw specifically affects the Updater component, which is responsible for managing the installation and verification of browser updates. The core technical issue stems from improper synchronization during file operations or process handling within this updater module. When a local program interacts with the update system, it can exploit timing gaps in how Chrome validates permissions or handles temporary files associated with the update process. This lack of atomicity allows an attacker to manipulate the state of these resources before they are fully secured by the browser's security checks, effectively bypassing intended access controls.
From a technical perspective, this race condition enables privilege escalation and sandbox escape scenarios that fall under CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization. The vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code outside of Chrome’s restrictive sandbox environment. In modern browser architectures, the renderer processes operate within a confined sandbox to limit the impact of potential exploits such as cross-site scripting or remote code execution attacks. By exploiting this race condition in the Updater, an adversary can trick the system into executing malicious payloads with higher privileges than those granted to standard user-level applications. This effectively breaks the isolation boundary that protects the underlying operating system and other sensitive processes from compromised browser instances.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any Windows environment running affected versions of Chrome. A successful exploitation requires local access, meaning an attacker must already have some level of foothold on the machine, such as through a phishing email or malware installation that grants them user-level execution rights. However, once inside, the ability to escape the sandbox transforms a contained browser compromise into a full system takeover. The attacker can install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data stored in other applications, modify system configurations, or pivot to attack other networked systems. This escalation path is particularly dangerous because it leverages trusted software components like Chrome’s updater, which typically runs with elevated privileges to ensure smooth updates without constant user intervention.
This vulnerability aligns closely with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. Specifically, it relates to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where the attacker leverages a software flaw to gain higher-level permissions. It also touches upon T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution if the race condition is triggered via user interaction with an update prompt or background process manipulation. The use of a local program to trigger this state suggests potential abuse of legitimate system utilities or malicious scripts designed to interact with Chrome’s file structure during critical windows when permissions are being validated but not yet enforced atomically.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on immediate patching and behavioral monitoring. Organizations should prioritize the deployment of Google Chrome version 153.0.8010.36 or later across all endpoints, as this update contains the necessary synchronization fixes to prevent the race condition from being exploited. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to change management constraints, implementing strict application control policies can help mitigate risk by preventing unauthorized local programs from interacting with Chrome’s updater directories. Additionally, monitoring for unusual file system activity or process creation events involving chrome_updater.exe during update windows may provide early detection indicators of exploitation attempts. Regular auditing of installed software versions and ensuring automatic updates are enabled will further reduce the window of exposure to this vulnerability.