CVE-2026-11281: Google Chrome Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-11281 Overview

CVE-2026-11281 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the Chromoting component of Google Chrome on Windows. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.53. A local attacker can exploit the issue by supplying a crafted Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) event. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to obtain potentially sensitive information from process memory.

The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-190] (Integer Overflow or Wraparound) and [CWE-472] (External Control of Assumed-Immutable Web Parameter). Chromium project rates the security severity as Low, while NVD assigns a CVSS 3.1 score of 5.0 (Medium).

Critical Impact
A local attacker with low privileges can read sensitive data from Chrome process memory by delivering a crafted ETW event to the Chromoting (Chrome Remote Desktop) component.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on Windows prior to 149.0.7827.53
Chromoting component (Chrome Remote Desktop)
Microsoft Windows hosts running affected Chrome builds

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-05 - CVE-2026-11281 published to NVD
2026-06-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-11281

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in Chromoting, the component that powers Chrome Remote Desktop functionality. Chromoting processes ETW events as part of its diagnostic and telemetry handling on Windows. The defect occurs when the component performs arithmetic on size or length fields derived from an ETW event without sufficient bounds checking.

When the calculated value wraps around due to integer overflow, the component allocates or accesses a memory region whose size no longer matches the data being processed. The resulting mismatch enables an attacker to read adjacent process memory contents. This memory may contain session tokens, credentials, or other sensitive runtime data.

The issue requires local access and user interaction, limiting its utility in remote attack scenarios. It does not, by itself, permit code execution or modification of data.

Root Cause

The root cause is unchecked arithmetic on attacker-influenced numeric fields within ETW event handling. The Chromoting code path trusts size or offset values supplied through the event without validating that arithmetic operations stay within expected ranges, producing the [CWE-190] integer overflow condition.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a local attacker with low privileges on a Windows system running a vulnerable Chrome build. The attacker must induce the victim to interact with the Chromoting subsystem and deliver a crafted ETW event. Once processed, the malformed event triggers the overflow and exposes process memory contents to the attacker.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details once the report is unrestricted.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11281

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected creation or registration of ETW providers targeting Chromoting processes such as remoting_host.exe.
Local processes invoking ETW APIs against Chrome Remote Desktop components without administrative justification.
Chrome Remote Desktop host crashes or anomalous memory access events logged in Windows Application logs.

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome builds across Windows endpoints and flag versions older than 149.0.7827.53.
Monitor for non-standard local processes interacting with Chromoting binaries or its ETW sessions.
Correlate ETW provider registration events with subsequent access to Chrome process memory regions.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Windows Event Tracing auditing for sessions that include Chromoting providers.
Track Chrome version telemetry through endpoint management tooling to confirm patch deployment.
Alert on unsigned or untrusted processes that enumerate ETW sessions on systems where Chrome Remote Desktop is enabled.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11281

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 149.0.7827.53 or later on all Windows endpoints.
Disable Chrome Remote Desktop host services on systems that do not require remote access functionality.
Restrict local logon rights on hosts running Chrome Remote Desktop to trusted administrative accounts.

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable Channel update referenced in the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory. Apply the update through managed software distribution or allow Chrome's built-in updater to install version 149.0.7827.53 or later. Verify deployment by checking the installed version in chrome://settings/help.

Workarounds

Uninstall or disable the Chrome Remote Desktop host component on systems where it is not actively used.
Limit which local users can register ETW providers by enforcing least privilege on Windows accounts.
Apply application allowlisting to prevent untrusted binaries from interacting with Chromoting processes.

bash

# Verify installed Chrome version on Windows via PowerShell
(Get-Item "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe").VersionInfo.ProductVersion

# Stop and disable the Chrome Remote Desktop host service if remote access is not required
Stop-Service -Name "chromoting" -Force
Set-Service -Name "chromoting" -StartupType Disabled