CVE-2026-87594 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Incorrect authorization in DataTransfer in Google Chrome prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to obtain sensitive information via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as an incorrect authorization flaw within the DataTransfer interface of Google Chrome prior to version 153.0.8010.36 represents a significant breach in browser-side access control mechanisms. This issue stems from improper validation checks when handling data transfer operations, specifically those initiated through HTML pages that interact with clipboard or drag-and-drop functionalities. The core technical flaw lies in the renderer process's ability to bypass expected authorization boundaries, allowing it to read sensitive information that should remain inaccessible under normal security policies. By crafting a specific HTML page designed to exploit this logic error, an attacker can trigger unauthorized data access paths within the browser environment. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-269, which addresses Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a process executing actions with higher privileges than intended for its context.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is contingent upon the initial compromise of the renderer process. In modern browsers like Chrome, each tab and extension runs in a separate sandboxed renderer process to limit the blast radius of potential exploits. However, if an attacker successfully compromises one of these processes through other means such as cross-site scripting or memory corruption vulnerabilities, they can leverage this DataTransfer authorization flaw to escalate their access within that specific context. The primary consequence is the exfiltration of sensitive information stored in the clipboard or accessed via drag-and-drop operations. This could include passwords, personal identification numbers, financial data, or other confidential text content that users have copied with the expectation of privacy and security against malicious scripts on untrusted websites.
The exploitation vector relies heavily on social engineering combined with technical precision. An attacker would host a crafted HTML page containing JavaScript code designed to interact with the DataTransfer object in a way that triggers the authorization bypass. When a victim visits this page, potentially after being tricked into copying sensitive data or interacting with specific UI elements, the malicious script can intercept and read information it should not have access to. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically within the context of browser-based scripting environments like JavaScript. It also relates to T1005, Data from Local System, as the attacker is retrieving data directly from the user's local environment without proper permission checks.
Mitigation for this vulnerability primarily involves updating Google Chrome to version 153.0.8010.36 or later, where these authorization checks have been corrected and hardened against such bypass attempts. For organizations managing large fleets of browsers, ensuring automatic update policies are in place is critical to prevent exposure during the window between vulnerability disclosure and patch deployment. Additionally, users should remain vigilant regarding clipboard permissions and avoid copying sensitive information while browsing untrusted websites or interacting with potentially malicious content. Implementing strict Content Security Policies can also help mitigate some risks by restricting how scripts interact with browser APIs, although this specific flaw required a fundamental fix in the core rendering engine logic rather than just policy enforcement.