CVE-2026-87613 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Incorrect reference resolution in Extensions in Google Chrome prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via crafted network traffic. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as an incorrect reference resolution within the extensions subsystem of Google Chrome prior to version 153.0.8010.36 represents a significant breach in browser isolation mechanisms. This flaw specifically affects how the browser handles resource references when processing extension-related network traffic. In modern web browsers, extensions operate with elevated privileges compared to standard webpage scripts, often having access to local file systems, user data, and internal browser APIs. When an attacker crafts specific network requests that trigger this reference resolution error, they can manipulate the context in which these privileged operations occur. The core technical failure lies in the misinterpretation of resource identifiers or paths during the loading or execution phase of extension components, allowing code to escape the restrictive sandbox environment designed to contain malicious activity within web pages.
From a technical perspective, this issue falls under the category of improper input validation leading to privilege escalation and sandbox escape. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-20: Improper Input Validation because the browser fails to adequately sanitize or verify references before resolving them for execution. Furthermore, it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically in the context of executing arbitrary code within a compromised environment. The attacker leverages crafted network traffic to exploit this logic error, effectively tricking the browser into treating untrusted external resources as trusted internal components or bypassing security checks that rely on correct reference resolution. This allows for the execution of arbitrary commands outside the confines of the sandbox, which is critical because the sandbox is the primary defense against remote code execution attacks in modern browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote exploitation without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious site or receiving crafted network packets if applicable within the extension's scope. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges granted to the Chrome process, which may include access to sensitive user data such as cookies, saved passwords, browsing history, and potentially system-level information depending on the operating environment. This compromises not only the confidentiality of user data but also the integrity of the browser session, allowing for further lateral movement or persistence mechanisms within the victim's device. The medium severity rating assigned by Chromium reflects that while exploitation requires specific conditions related to extension handling, the resulting impact is high due to the bypass of critical security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate software updates. Users and administrators must upgrade Google Chrome to version 153.0.8010.36 or later, where this reference resolution logic has been corrected to properly validate and isolate extension resources. In environments where automatic updating is not feasible, network-level controls such as web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block traffic patterns associated with the exploitation of this specific vulnerability, although signature-based detection may lag behind novel exploit techniques. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict policies regarding which extensions are permitted within their Chrome deployments, minimizing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary or unverified third-party extensions that might interact with network resources in ways that could trigger such flaws. Regular auditing of extension permissions and keeping all browser components patched remains the most effective defense against this class of vulnerabilities.