CVE-2026-11309 Overview
CVE-2026-11309 is a user interface spoofing vulnerability in the History component of Google Chrome. The flaw stems from insufficient policy enforcement and allows a remote attacker to mislead users through a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation requires user interaction with the malicious content. The issue affects Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop builds prior to version 149.0.7827.53. Google has classified the underlying Chromium security severity as Low, and the CWE classification is [CWE-346] Origin Validation Error.
Critical Impact
Attackers can deceive users into trusting spoofed browser UI elements rendered via the History feature, potentially enabling phishing or impersonation of legitimate origins.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.53 on Microsoft Windows
- Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.53 on Apple macOS
- Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.53 on Linux
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-05 - CVE-2026-11309 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-08 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-11309
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's History feature, which surfaces previously visited pages and associated metadata. Insufficient policy enforcement allows attacker-controlled content delivered through a crafted HTML page to influence how UI elements are rendered or interpreted. The result is a UI spoofing condition where a victim perceives trusted browser-controlled content while the attacker shapes its presentation.
UI spoofing weaknesses in browsers commonly form the front end of phishing and social engineering chains. An adversary can pair this flaw with credential harvesting pages or fake security prompts to increase the success rate of follow-on attacks.
Root Cause
The root cause is an origin validation weakness in History-related policy checks ([CWE-346]). Chrome did not adequately enforce the boundary between attacker-supplied page content and trusted UI surfaces tied to browsing history. As a result, a crafted document can influence the rendered context in a way that misleads users about the source or authenticity of displayed information.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page and lures a victim using a vulnerable Chrome build to visit it. User interaction is required, such as clicking a link or navigating between history entries. No authentication or elevated privileges are needed. The integrity impact is limited to UI deception, with no direct code execution or memory corruption involved. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for the technical write-up.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11309
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome desktop clients reporting a version earlier than 149.0.7827.53 in browser telemetry or chrome://version inventories.
- User reports of unexpected or misleading browser UI elements appearing after visiting unfamiliar links.
- Outbound connections to newly registered domains hosting HTML pages that interact heavily with browser history APIs.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Chrome versions across managed endpoints and flag installations below 149.0.7827.53.
- Correlate web proxy logs with threat intelligence feeds to surface visits to known phishing or UI spoofing infrastructure.
- Hunt for credential submissions to domains that do not match the visual branding rendered in the user's browser session.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Chrome auto-update status and patch compliance through enterprise management tooling.
- Monitor user-reported phishing incidents for patterns involving history navigation or back-forward UI confusion.
- Review browser telemetry for anomalous frequency of history.pushState and related API usage from untrusted origins.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11309
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Google Chrome desktop installations to version 149.0.7827.53 or later across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Verify that Chrome auto-update is enabled and functioning on managed endpoints.
- Reinforce user awareness training focused on recognizing spoofed browser UI and phishing techniques.
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel update documented in the Google Chrome Desktop Update. Administrators should deploy 149.0.7827.53 or a later build to remediate CVE-2026-11309.
Workarounds
- Restrict navigation to untrusted sites via enterprise URL filtering policies until patches are deployed.
- Enforce Chrome enterprise policies that limit extension installation and tighten Safe Browsing settings.
- Encourage users to verify URLs in the address bar before submitting credentials or sensitive data.
# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux/macOS endpoints
google-chrome --version
# Windows: query installed Chrome version via registry
reg query "HKLM\Software\Google\Update\Clients\{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}" /v pv
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
