CVE-2026-11678 Overview
CVE-2026-11678 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the libyuv image conversion library used by Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.103. A remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process can read sensitive data from process memory by serving a crafted HTML page. Google's Chromium security team rates the underlying issue as High severity, while the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) assigns a base score of 5.3. The flaw is tracked under [CWE-472] and affects Chrome on Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop platforms.
Critical Impact
Attackers controlling a compromised renderer can leak potentially sensitive memory contents from the browser process by triggering integer overflow conditions in libyuv image conversion routines.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.103
- Chrome desktop builds for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux
- Chromium-based applications bundling the vulnerable libyuv component
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-09 - CVE-2026-11678 published to NVD
- 2026-06-09 - Last updated in NVD database
- 2026-06 - Google releases fix in Chrome Stable channel update for desktop
Technical Details for CVE-2026-11678
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in libyuv, the open-source library Chrome uses for YUV image scaling and color space conversions. An integer overflow occurs when the library calculates buffer sizes or pixel offsets from attacker-influenced image dimensions. The miscalculation results in undersized allocations or out-of-bounds reads when subsequent conversion routines process the data.
The attack requires the adversary to first compromise the renderer process, typically by chaining this issue with a separate renderer exploit. Once inside the sandboxed renderer, the attacker delivers a crafted HTML page that drives libyuv into the overflow state. The result is disclosure of memory contents adjacent to the conversion buffers, which may include cryptographic material, session tokens, or cross-origin data.
User interaction is required, and exploitation complexity is high because the attacker must already control the renderer. The issue does not by itself yield code execution or modification of data.
Root Cause
The root cause is an arithmetic operation in libyuv that does not validate width, height, or stride parameters against integer bounds before computing buffer sizes. When the product of these values exceeds the representable range of the integer type, the result wraps and produces a smaller allocation or offset than the input dimensions imply. Subsequent reads then cross valid buffer boundaries, exposing process memory.
Attack Vector
Exploitation proceeds in two stages. The attacker first compromises the renderer process through an unrelated vulnerability. The attacker then serves an HTML page containing image data with dimensions chosen to trigger the overflow in libyuv. The conversion path reads beyond the intended buffer, and the attacker exfiltrates the leaked bytes through JavaScript APIs available in the renderer context.
For technical specifics, see the Chromium Issue Report #516986556 and the Google Chrome Desktop Update advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11678
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer processes crashing with access violations in libyuv symbols such as ScalePlane or I420ToARGB
- Outbound traffic from browser endpoints carrying unusually structured image payloads followed by data exfiltration patterns
- Chrome installations reporting version strings below 149.0.7827.103 in endpoint inventory data
Detection Strategies
- Inventory all Chrome and Chromium-based browser versions across managed endpoints and flag builds older than 149.0.7827.103
- Monitor browser crash telemetry for repeated faults inside image decoding or color conversion code paths
- Correlate renderer process anomalies with preceding navigation events to identify hostile pages
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Chrome crash reports and EDR process telemetry to a central analytics platform for version and stability tracking
- Alert on browser processes spawning unexpected child processes or making anomalous network connections after rendering image-heavy pages
- Track navigation logs from web proxies for visits to newly registered or low-reputation domains serving image content
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11678
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 149.0.7827.103 or later on Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
- Restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched libyuv is loaded into all renderer processes
- Audit Chromium-based applications (Edge, Brave, Opera, Electron apps) and apply vendor updates that incorporate the fixed libyuv
Patch Information
Google addressed the issue in Chrome Stable 149.0.7827.103 for desktop. Refer to the Google Chrome Desktop Update advisory for release notes and rollout details. Enterprise administrators should push the update through their managed browser configuration channels.
Workarounds
- Enable automatic browser updates through enterprise policy to minimize exposure windows for future Chrome vulnerabilities
- Restrict access to untrusted websites using web filtering or DNS-layer controls until patching completes
- Enforce site isolation and strict same-origin policies through Chrome enterprise policies to limit cross-origin data exposure
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
