CVE-2026-11283 Overview
CVE-2026-11283 is an input validation vulnerability in the Shortcuts component of Google Chrome on macOS prior to version 149.0.7827.53. The flaw allows a remote attacker to bypass navigation restrictions by crafting a malicious file that abuses how Chrome processes Shortcuts on Mac. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as opening or interacting with the malicious file. The issue is categorized under [CWE-20] (Improper Input Validation) and is tracked by Chromium as issue 502069297. Google rated the underlying Chromium security severity as Low, while the NVD assigned a higher CVSS due to the integrity impact on navigation enforcement.
Critical Impact
A remote attacker can bypass Chrome's navigation restrictions on macOS by delivering a malicious file, undermining a key browser security boundary that protects users from unintended cross-origin or local resource navigation.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on macOS prior to 149.0.7827.53
- Apple macOS hosts running vulnerable Chrome builds
- Chromium-based components relying on the Shortcuts navigation pipeline on Mac
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-05 - CVE-2026-11283 published to NVD
- 2026-06-08 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-11283
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Shortcuts feature of Chrome on macOS. Chrome fails to sufficiently validate untrusted input supplied through a malicious file processed by the Shortcuts handler. As a result, the browser's navigation restriction logic, which is intended to prevent unauthorized navigations to sensitive schemes or local resources, can be circumvented.
An attacker hosts or delivers a crafted file that, when handled by Chrome's Shortcuts code path on Mac, induces a navigation the user did not intend. The vector is network-based but requires user interaction, consistent with the CVSS user interaction requirement. Successful exploitation impacts integrity, not confidentiality or availability, because the attacker manipulates browser navigation state rather than directly exfiltrating data or crashing the process.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation [CWE-20] within the Shortcuts implementation in Chrome on macOS. The Shortcuts code does not adequately sanitize or constrain file-supplied input before applying navigation policy decisions, allowing attacker-controlled values to influence the destination of a navigation.
Attack Vector
Exploitation proceeds remotely over the network. The attacker delivers a malicious file, typically via a web download, email attachment, or shared link. When the user opens or activates the file through Chrome's Shortcuts integration on macOS, the validation gap triggers and Chrome performs a navigation that should have been blocked by its security policy. No authentication is required, but the attack hinges on user interaction. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for technical details once access restrictions are lifted.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11283
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome on macOS instances reporting a version earlier than 149.0.7827.53 in inventory or update telemetry.
- Unexpected Chrome navigations to local or privileged URI schemes shortly after a user opened a downloaded file.
- Suspicious file artifacts associated with Chrome Shortcuts handlers in user Downloads or temporary directories.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory all macOS endpoints and identify Chrome installations below the patched build 149.0.7827.53.
- Correlate browser download events with subsequent navigation events to detect anomalous navigation flows triggered by recently delivered files.
- Hunt for outbound requests to attacker-controlled domains immediately following Shortcut-related file activations.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable browser telemetry forwarding from macOS endpoints to your central logging platform for navigation and download events.
- Monitor Chrome auto-update status to ensure stable channel rollout of 149.0.7827.53 or later completes across the fleet.
- Alert on macOS users running Chrome versions that remain unpatched beyond your organization's defined patch SLA.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11283
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome on all macOS endpoints to version 149.0.7827.53 or later, as documented in the Google Chrome Update Blog.
- Restart Chrome on all managed Macs to ensure the patched binary is loaded; pending updates do not take effect until relaunch.
- Verify enterprise policy enforces automatic Chrome updates and blocks rollback to vulnerable builds.
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-11283 in the Chrome Stable channel release 149.0.7827.53 for macOS. The fix tightens input validation in the Shortcuts component to prevent navigation restriction bypass. Refer to the Google Chrome Update Blog for the official advisory and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for the underlying bug record.
Workarounds
- Instruct macOS users to avoid opening untrusted files delivered via email, messaging, or unfamiliar websites until Chrome is updated.
- Use endpoint controls to block execution of unsigned or untrusted file types commonly abused as delivery vectors on macOS.
- Apply enterprise browser policies that restrict navigation to sensitive schemes where feasible, reducing impact if Shortcuts validation is bypassed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
