CVE-2026-14385: Google Chrome ANGLE Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2026-14385 Overview

CVE-2026-14385 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine), the graphics translation layer used by Google Chrome on macOS. The flaw affects Google Chrome on Mac prior to version 150.0.7871.46. A remote attacker can trigger out-of-bounds memory access by convincing a user to visit a crafted HTML page. Chromium rates the security severity as High, and the vulnerability is classified under [CWE-122: Heap-based Buffer Overflow].

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to perform out-of-bounds heap memory access through a crafted web page, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the renderer process on macOS.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on macOS prior to 150.0.7871.46
ANGLE graphics translation component within Chromium
Chromium-based browsers on macOS that share the vulnerable ANGLE code

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-01 - CVE-2026-14385 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-02 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-14385

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in ANGLE, the component that translates OpenGL ES API calls into native graphics APIs such as Metal on macOS. A heap buffer overflow occurs when ANGLE writes or reads past the boundaries of a heap-allocated buffer while processing graphics input. Attackers deliver the malicious payload through a crafted HTML page that exercises the affected WebGL or graphics code paths. Exploitation requires user interaction, typically visiting an attacker-controlled or compromised website.

Root Cause

The root cause is a heap-based buffer overflow [CWE-122] in ANGLE's handling of graphics operations on macOS. The affected code fails to properly validate size or bounds before performing memory access on a heap-allocated buffer. This allows out-of-bounds reads or writes into adjacent heap memory. The specific technical details are tracked in Chromium Issue Tracker #499006005.

Attack Vector

Attackers exploit CVE-2026-14385 remotely over the network with low attack complexity. A victim must visit a crafted HTML page hosted by the attacker or reachable through malvertising, phishing, or a compromised site. The crafted page invokes WebGL or graphics operations that trigger the vulnerable ANGLE code path. A successful attack achieves high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the Chrome renderer sandbox context.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code has been published for CVE-2026-14385 at the time of writing. See the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement for vendor context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14385

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome renderer process crashes on macOS with heap corruption signatures in ANGLE or Metal-related frames
Unexpected child process spawning from Google Chrome Helper (Renderer) following visits to untrusted websites
Outbound connections from Chrome renderer processes to previously unseen or low-reputation domains hosting WebGL content

Detection Strategies

Inventory Chrome installations across the macOS fleet and flag any version prior to 150.0.7871.46 as vulnerable
Correlate browser crash reports referencing ANGLE modules with recent browsing history to identify potential exploitation attempts
Deploy behavioral monitoring for anomalous post-exploitation activity from browser renderer processes, such as unexpected file writes or process creation

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest macOS endpoint telemetry, including process creation and browser crash events, into a centralized analytics platform
Alert on Chrome renderer process crashes that coincide with browsing sessions to newly registered or uncategorized domains
Track patch compliance for Chrome and Chromium-based browsers as a continuous metric rather than a point-in-time check

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14385

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome on macOS to version 150.0.7871.46 or later on all managed endpoints
Force-restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched binaries are loaded into memory
Audit Chromium-based browsers such as Edge, Brave, and Opera on macOS and apply their equivalent security updates

Patch Information

Google addressed CVE-2026-14385 in the Chrome Stable channel for macOS with version 150.0.7871.46. Details are available in the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement and tracked in Chromium Issue Tracker #499006005. Enterprises should validate that Chrome auto-update is enabled and not blocked by proxy or MDM policies.

Workarounds

If patching is delayed, restrict access to untrusted websites through web filtering or DNS-based reputation controls
Disable hardware-accelerated WebGL in Chrome as a temporary risk reduction where business workflows permit
Enforce use of standard user accounts on macOS to limit the impact of any post-exploitation activity

bash

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

# Example MDM command to trigger Chrome update policy refresh
defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 3600