CVE-2026-14421: Google Chrome Dawn Information Disclosure

CVE-2026-14421 Overview

CVE-2026-14421 is an uninitialized memory use vulnerability [CWE-457] in the Dawn WebGPU implementation shipped with Google Chrome on ChromeOS. Versions prior to 150.0.7871.46 are affected. A remote attacker can leverage a crafted HTML page to read uninitialized memory from the Chrome renderer process, exposing potentially sensitive information. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as loading an attacker-controlled web page. Google classifies the Chromium security severity as Medium, and the CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5.

Critical Impact
Remote attackers can leak sensitive data from Chrome process memory on ChromeOS through a malicious HTML page delivered over the network.

Affected Products

Google Chrome on ChromeOS prior to 150.0.7871.46
Dawn WebGPU implementation component within Chromium
Chromium-based builds incorporating the affected Dawn revision

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-01 - CVE-2026-14421 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-07-02 - Entry last modified in NVD

Technical Details for CVE-2026-14421

Vulnerability Analysis

The flaw resides in Dawn, the cross-platform implementation of the WebGPU standard used by Chrome to expose GPU acceleration to web content. Dawn allocates buffers and structures that back GPU resource descriptors, command encoders, and pipeline state objects. When one of these memory regions is consumed before initialization completes, its contents can be observed by JavaScript running on a web page. An attacker who controls the page can read residual bytes left in the renderer's address space, including data from prior allocations. The information leak enables reconnaissance for further exploitation, such as bypassing address space layout randomization (ASLR) or extracting cross-origin content held in memory. Additional context is available in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and the Google Blog Chrome Update.

Root Cause

Dawn uses a memory buffer or object field before the code path that initializes it has executed. The condition falls under [CWE-457], Use of Uninitialized Variable. Because the buffer sits inside the sandboxed renderer, its previous contents may include remnants of GPU commands, texture data, or arbitrary heap bytes from earlier operations.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires the victim to visit a crafted HTML page that instantiates WebGPU objects and issues API calls that trigger the uninitialized read path in Dawn. The page then observes returned values, mapped buffers, or rendered output that reflects the leaked bytes. No privileges are required and the attack originates over the network, though user interaction is necessary to load the malicious page.

No public proof-of-concept code has been released for CVE-2026-14421. Refer to the linked Chromium issue for technical details once the tracker entry becomes public.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14421

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome or Chromium browser processes on ChromeOS running versions below 150.0.7871.46
Renderer processes handling untrusted pages that exercise the WebGPU API through Dawn
Outbound requests from ChromeOS endpoints to newly registered domains hosting WebGPU workloads

Detection Strategies

Inventory ChromeOS device fleet versions and flag any installation reporting a Chrome build older than 150.0.7871.46.
Monitor web proxy logs for requests to pages invoking navigator.gpu, requestAdapter, or createBuffer from untrusted origins.
Correlate browser crash reports and renderer telemetry that reference the Dawn module for anomalous frequency.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest Chrome enterprise reporting telemetry into a centralized SIEM for version and extension visibility.
Alert on ChromeOS devices that disable automatic updates or delay reboots required to apply security patches.
Track threat intelligence feeds for proof-of-concept disclosures referencing Dawn or Chromium issue 517033235.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14421

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome on ChromeOS to version 150.0.7871.46 or later on every managed device.
Force a device reboot through the ChromeOS admin console to complete pending updates on stalled endpoints.
Restrict access to untrusted websites for high-risk user groups until patch deployment is verified.

Patch Information

Google addressed CVE-2026-14421 in Chrome 150.0.7871.46 for ChromeOS. Deploy the update through the Google Admin console by setting the target version in device update policies and confirming rollout status. Details are documented in the Google Blog Chrome Update.

Workarounds

Disable WebGPU through the #enable-unsafe-webgpu flag or enterprise policy where the feature is not required.
Enforce Chrome enterprise policies that block navigation to unknown or newly registered domains.
Route browser traffic through a web filtering gateway that inspects and restricts high-risk script-heavy pages.

bash

# Configuration example
# Verify installed Chrome version on ChromeOS via chrome://version
# Apply target version through Google Admin console policy:
#   Devices > Chrome > Settings > Device settings > Auto-update settings
#   Target Version Prefix: 150.0.7871.46
#   Restrict Google Chrome version to at most: 150.0.7871.46