CVE-2026-87627 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Interpretation conflict in Safebrowsing in Google Chrome on on Mac prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to bypass system access restrictions via a crafted file. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as an interpretation conflict within the Safe Browsing component of Google Chrome on macOS prior to version 153.0.8010.36 represents a significant deviation from expected security behavior in how the browser processes and validates file types during download operations. This flaw stems from a discrepancy between how the operating system interprets certain file attributes or extensions versus how the Safe Browsing service evaluates them for malicious content. When a user downloads a file, Chrome relies on its internal heuristics and cloud-based reputation checks to determine if the payload is safe. However, due to this interpretation conflict, an attacker can craft a file that appears benign under one set of rules while containing executable or dangerous code under another, effectively slipping past the initial safety filters designed to protect users from malware distribution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on the potential for unauthorized system access through social engineering tactics. Because Safe Browsing is often perceived by end-users as a robust shield against malicious downloads, its failure to correctly identify and block specific crafted files creates a false sense of security. An attacker leveraging this flaw would typically distribute the crafted file via phishing emails or compromised websites, relying on the user's trust in the browser’s safety indicators. Once downloaded and executed, particularly if the operating system subsequently interprets the file as executable based on its actual content rather than just its extension, it can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user. This bypasses standard access restrictions that rely on Safe Browsing warnings or blocks, allowing malware to establish persistence, exfiltrate data, or pivot further into a network environment without triggering immediate alerts from the browser’s security layer.
From a technical classification perspective, this issue aligns closely with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-436 Interpretation Conflict. The root cause lies in the failure to consistently validate input across different subsystems within the application stack, specifically between the file handling mechanism and the threat intelligence engine. In terms of adversary tactics, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with MITRE ATT&CK T1566 Phishing, where initial access is gained through deceptive means, and potentially T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if the executed payload involves scripting languages commonly found in such crafted documents. The low severity rating assigned by Chromium security likely reflects the complexity required to craft a file that successfully exploits this specific interpretation gap on macOS without triggering other heuristic detections or requiring additional user interaction beyond downloading, but it remains critical due to its direct impact on access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate software updates and enhanced operational hygiene. Users must upgrade Google Chrome to version 153.0.8010.36 or later, where the interpretation logic has been corrected to ensure consistent validation across all components involved in file safety assessment. In environments where patching is delayed, administrators should enforce strict download policies that restrict executable files and scripts from being saved directly by browsers without additional verification layers such as endpoint detection and response tools scanning downloaded content before execution. Additionally, user education remains vital; employees must be trained to recognize suspicious attachments regardless of browser warnings, understanding that automated security controls can sometimes be bypassed through sophisticated social engineering combined with technical exploits like this interpretation conflict. Regular auditing of download behaviors and monitoring for unusual file executions on macOS endpoints will further reduce the risk posed by such vulnerabilities until permanent patches are fully deployed across all systems.