CVE-2026-14425 Overview
CVE-2026-14425 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in ANGLE, the graphics abstraction layer used by Google Chrome to translate OpenGL ES calls to native GPU APIs. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.46. A remote attacker can exploit the vulnerability by serving a crafted HTML page to a target user. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to potentially perform a sandbox escape, breaking out of Chrome's renderer sandbox. Google's Chromium project rated the security severity as High. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically visiting a malicious or compromised web page.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables a sandbox escape from the Chrome renderer, giving attackers a path to execute code outside browser isolation boundaries with only a single visit to a crafted web page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome desktop versions prior to 150.0.7871.46
- Chromium-based browsers incorporating the vulnerable ANGLE component
- Applications embedding affected Chromium releases via CEF or Electron
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-01 - CVE-2026-14425 published to NVD
- 2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-14425
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine), which translates WebGL and OpenGL ES calls from Chrome's renderer into platform-specific graphics APIs such as Direct3D, Metal, or Vulkan. A use-after-free condition occurs when ANGLE retains a reference to a graphics resource object after that object has been deallocated. Attacker-controlled JavaScript and WebGL operations reach the freed memory, allowing manipulation of graphics state structures. Because ANGLE runs with elevated privileges relative to the renderer sandbox, corrupting its memory offers a route to escape the sandbox. Chromium's security team classified the issue as High severity, reflecting the potential for renderer-to-broker compromise.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management within ANGLE. A resource pointer is used after the underlying allocation has been released, violating memory safety guarantees. This class of defect [CWE-416] is common in complex C++ graphics stacks that maintain caches, resource pools, and asynchronous GPU command queues where ownership boundaries are difficult to enforce.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is remote and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page containing malicious WebGL or Canvas content. When a user visits the page, JavaScript triggers a sequence of ANGLE operations that free an object while a dangling pointer remains reachable. Subsequent reuse of the freed memory allows heap grooming and control over object contents. Chained with a memory disclosure primitive, this can lead to code execution outside the renderer sandbox. Details of the underlying issue are tracked in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry and referenced in the Chrome Stable Channel Update.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-14425
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer or GPU process crashes referencing ANGLE modules such as libGLESv2.dll or libANGLE.dylib
- Unexpected child processes spawned by chrome.exe following browsing sessions involving unfamiliar domains
- Outbound network connections from Chrome GPU processes to non-standard hosts shortly after page load
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome and Chromium-based browser versions across the fleet and flag any build below 150.0.7871.46
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous process lineage originating from Chrome renderer or GPU processes
- Correlate browser crash reports with visits to newly registered or low-reputation domains
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable enterprise reporting for Chrome via the Chrome Enterprise Connectors framework to capture crash and exploit signals
- Ingest browser process telemetry into a centralized SIEM or data lake for behavioral analysis
- Alert on WebGL-heavy traffic to uncategorized domains combined with GPU process instability
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-14425
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 150.0.7871.46 or later on all managed endpoints
- Restart browser sessions after patch deployment to ensure the vulnerable ANGLE component is unloaded
- Verify Chromium-derived applications, including Edge, Brave, Opera, and Electron-based tools, have integrated the corresponding fix
Patch Information
Google addressed the vulnerability in Chrome Stable Channel 150.0.7871.46. Refer to the Chrome Stable Channel Update for release notes and platform-specific builds. Managed environments should deploy the update through existing patch management workflows and confirm installation via version reporting.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to untrusted websites through DNS filtering or secure web gateways until patching completes
- Disable hardware-accelerated graphics in Chrome via the --disable-gpu flag or the HardwareAccelerationModeEnabled enterprise policy to reduce ANGLE exposure
- Enforce Site Isolation and strict sandboxing policies through Chrome Enterprise configuration
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
