CVE-2026-102331 Overview
CVE-2026-102331 is a heap buffer overflow [CWE-122] in the ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine) component of Google Chrome on Android. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 154.0.8037.92. A remote attacker can exploit the issue by serving a crafted HTML page to a targeted user. Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution outside the Chrome sandbox. Google's Chromium team rated the security severity as Critical.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution outside the Chrome sandbox on Android devices by luring users to a malicious HTML page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome for Android versions prior to 154.0.8037.92
- Google Android platforms running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-based browsers on Android that embed the same ANGLE component
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-29 - CVE-2026-102331 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-09-30 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-102331
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in ANGLE, the graphics abstraction layer Chrome uses to translate OpenGL ES calls into the native graphics APIs of the host platform. On Android, ANGLE bridges WebGL and other GPU workloads to the underlying Vulkan or OpenGL ES driver. A heap buffer overflow in this component allows attacker-controlled data to write beyond an allocated heap region during graphics processing.
Because ANGLE runs in a process context that interacts with the GPU driver, corruption in this component can be leveraged to escape the Chrome sandbox. An attacker who successfully triggers the overflow can execute native code with the privileges of the compromised process. The Chromium security team classified the issue as Critical, indicating a viable path to sandbox escape.
Root Cause
The root cause is a heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-122] within ANGLE's handling of graphics data. Insufficient bounds validation on attacker-influenced input allows writes past the end of a heap allocation. See the Chromium Issue #551673541 tracker for the upstream technical details.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires user interaction. The victim must load a crafted HTML page under attacker control, typically via a link, malicious advertisement, or a compromised legitimate site. The page invokes WebGL or related graphics APIs that reach the vulnerable ANGLE code path. Because the attack vector is network-based and the scope changes to a sandbox escape, the impact extends beyond the browser process.
No public proof-of-concept exploit code is available in the enriched data for this CVE. Refer to the Chrome Stable Channel Update for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-102331
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome for Android renderer or GPU process crashes correlated with WebGL or graphics-heavy page loads
- Unexpected child processes or native code execution spawned by Chrome on Android endpoints
- Outbound connections from Chrome to newly registered or low-reputation domains hosting HTML pages with heavy WebGL content
- Installed Chrome build reporting a version earlier than 154.0.8037.92
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Chrome for Android versions across managed devices and flag any build below 154.0.8037.92
- Monitor mobile telemetry for abnormal crashes in the Chrome GPU process, which often precede exploitation attempts against ANGLE
- Alert on browser processes writing to unexpected file system locations or invoking native APIs outside typical browsing behavior
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest mobile browser crash reports and correlate with URL navigation logs to identify targeted exploitation attempts
- Track Android application update compliance via mobile device management (MDM) reporting
- Monitor egress web traffic for HTML content invoking WebGL against uncategorized domains
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-102331
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome for Android to version 154.0.8037.92 or later through the Google Play Store
- Enforce automatic browser updates on managed Android devices via MDM policy
- Restrict installation of untrusted Chromium-based browsers on corporate mobile devices until patched builds ship
- Communicate the risk to users and advise against opening unsolicited links on mobile devices
Patch Information
Google released the fix in Chrome 154.0.8037.92 for Android. Deployment details are available in the Chrome Stable Channel Update announcement. Chromium-based browsers that embed ANGLE should incorporate the upstream patch referenced in Chromium Issue #551673541.
Workarounds
- No official workaround replaces patching; upgrade to a fixed Chrome build as the primary control
- Limit exposure by using enterprise browsing policies to block navigation to uncategorized or high-risk domains
- Where feasible, disable WebGL for high-risk user groups until updates are confirmed installed
# Verify installed Chrome version on an Android device via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
# Expected output should show 154.0.8037.92 or later
# versionName=154.0.8037.92
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
