CVE-2026-11686: Google Chrome Information Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-11686 Overview

CVE-2026-11686 is an input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in the Dawn component of Google Chrome on macOS. Dawn is the WebGPU implementation that bridges browser graphics calls to native GPU APIs. The flaw allows a remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process to leak cross-origin data through a crafted HTML page. Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.103 on macOS are affected. Chromium rates the security severity as High, while the assigned CVSS 3.1 score reflects the prerequisite of a compromised renderer and the requirement for user interaction.

Critical Impact
A compromised renderer process can bypass the Same-Origin Policy and exfiltrate cross-origin data through Dawn, undermining a core browser isolation boundary.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on macOS prior to 149.0.7827.103
Apple macOS (host platform for affected Chrome builds)
Chromium-based browsers using the Dawn WebGPU implementation on macOS

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-09 - CVE-2026-11686 published to NVD
2026-06-09 - Last updated in NVD database
2026-06 - Google releases Chrome 149.0.7827.103 Stable channel update for desktop

Technical Details for CVE-2026-11686

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in Dawn, the cross-platform WebGPU implementation in Chromium. Dawn translates WebGPU API calls from the renderer into native graphics commands. Insufficient validation of untrusted input received from the renderer process allows malformed or out-of-policy requests to reach lower-level GPU operations.

Exploitation requires the attacker to first compromise the renderer process. Once that foothold exists, the attacker uses Dawn to access data that belongs to other origins. The result is a cross-origin information leak that defeats the Same-Origin Policy enforced by the browser sandbox.

The CWE-20 classification reflects missing or incomplete validation of attacker-controlled parameters passed across the renderer-to-GPU process boundary. The EPSS data lists a probability of 0.033%, indicating low observed exploitation likelihood at publication.

Root Cause

Dawn accepts input from the renderer process that is treated as semi-trusted. When validation of these parameters is incomplete, an already-compromised renderer can craft inputs that cause Dawn to read or expose memory or resources tied to other origins. The boundary between the renderer sandbox and the GPU process is the relevant trust line, and that boundary is weakened by the missing checks.

Attack Vector

The attack requires two stages. First, the attacker compromises a Chrome renderer process, typically through a separate renderer-exploitable bug or a malicious site combined with user interaction. Second, the attacker delivers a crafted HTML page that issues WebGPU calls handled by Dawn. These calls trigger the validation gap and return cross-origin data to attacker-controlled JavaScript.

The vulnerability is not directly exploitable from an unprivileged web page alone. It functions as a second-stage primitive that expands the impact of an initial renderer compromise into cross-origin disclosure. See the Chromium Issue Tracker #517247333 for technical details once access is granted.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11686

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome processes on macOS running versions earlier than 149.0.7827.103 after the patch release date
Renderer process crashes or anomalous GPU process activity correlated with WebGPU usage
Outbound network requests from browser sessions containing data from origins the user did not visit

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome versions across macOS endpoints and flag any below 149.0.7827.103
Correlate browser exploitation indicators, such as renderer sandbox escapes, with subsequent WebGPU or Dawn activity
Monitor for execution of Chrome with command-line flags that disable site isolation or sandboxing

Monitoring Recommendations

Collect Chrome version telemetry from managed macOS fleets and alert on out-of-date installations
Log child process creation under Google Chrome Helper (GPU) and review anomalies
Track web traffic patterns indicating cross-origin data exfiltration following browser exploitation alerts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11686

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome on macOS to 149.0.7827.103 or later across all managed endpoints
Force-relaunch Chrome after deployment so the patched binary is loaded into memory
Validate the installed version using Google Chrome > About Google Chrome or fleet management tooling

Patch Information

Google released the fix in the Chrome Stable channel update covered in the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory. Upgrading to 149.0.7827.103 or later on macOS remediates the vulnerability. Chromium-based browsers that incorporate the upstream Dawn fix should be updated to the corresponding vendor release.

Workarounds

Enforce automatic Chrome updates through MDM policy on macOS endpoints
Restrict WebGPU usage via enterprise policy where the feature is not required for business workflows
Maintain strict site isolation defaults and avoid launching Chrome with sandboxing disabled

bash

# Verify Chrome version on macOS
/Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --version

# Example MDM-deployed policy to disable WebGPU where not required
# Path: /Library/Managed Preferences/com.google.Chrome.plist
defaults write com.google.Chrome HardwareAccelerationModeEnabled -bool false