CVE-2026-2319: Google Chrome DevTools Race Vulnerability

CVE-2026-2319 Overview

CVE-2026-2319 is a race condition vulnerability affecting Google Chrome's DevTools component. This security flaw exists in versions prior to 145.0.7632.45 and could allow a remote attacker who convinces a user to engage in specific UI gestures and install a malicious extension to potentially exploit object corruption via a malicious file.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation of this race condition could lead to object corruption, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Chrome browser process.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 145.0.7632.45
• Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable DevTools component

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-11 - CVE-2026-2319 published to NVD
• 2026-02-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-2319

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization), commonly known as a race condition. The flaw resides within Chrome's DevTools component, where improper synchronization between concurrent operations can lead to object corruption.

The attack requires significant user interaction—specifically, the victim must be convinced to perform specific UI gestures while also installing a malicious browser extension. The attacker must then deliver a specially crafted malicious file to trigger the race condition during DevTools operations. While the attack complexity is high due to these prerequisites, successful exploitation could result in high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-2319 stems from improper synchronization in Chrome's DevTools implementation. When multiple threads or processes access shared resources without adequate locking mechanisms, a Time-of-Check Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) condition can occur. In this case, the race condition allows an attacker to corrupt objects during DevTools operations, provided they can control the timing through a malicious extension and file.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires the following conditions to be met:

1. The attacker must convince the victim to install a malicious Chrome extension
2. The victim must engage in specific UI gestures within the browser
3. The attacker must deliver a specially crafted malicious file to the victim
4. The malicious extension must trigger the race condition at the precise moment to corrupt DevTools objects

The attack relies on precise timing manipulation through the malicious extension to win the race condition, which introduces significant complexity. However, once these conditions are met, the attacker can potentially achieve object corruption that may lead to further exploitation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-2319

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of suspicious or recently installed Chrome extensions with broad permissions requesting access to DevTools APIs
• Unexpected Chrome crashes or abnormal behavior during DevTools usage
• Evidence of malicious file downloads coinciding with extension installation activity
• Anomalous CPU usage patterns during Chrome DevTools operations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for Chrome extension installations from untrusted sources, particularly those requesting debugger or DevTools permissions
• Implement endpoint detection rules to identify race condition exploitation patterns in browser processes
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect timing-based attacks targeting browser components
• Review extension permissions and audit installed extensions across enterprise environments

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome enterprise logging to capture extension installation events and DevTools activity
• Configure SentinelOne to monitor for suspicious browser process behavior indicative of memory corruption
• Implement network monitoring to detect delivery of potentially malicious files to endpoints
• Establish baseline browser behavior to identify anomalous patterns during exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-2319

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 145.0.7632.45 or later immediately
• Audit and remove any suspicious or unnecessary Chrome extensions from affected systems
• Restrict extension installation to only approved sources via Chrome enterprise policies
• Educate users about the risks of installing extensions from untrusted sources

Patch Information

Google has released a security update addressing this vulnerability in Chrome version 145.0.7632.45. The patch resolves the race condition in the DevTools component by implementing proper synchronization mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize deploying this update across all managed endpoints.

For detailed patch information, refer to the Google Chrome Stable Update announcement. Additional technical details may be available in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Workarounds

• Disable or restrict access to Chrome DevTools in enterprise environments where not required for business operations
• Implement strict extension whitelisting policies to prevent installation of unauthorized extensions
• Consider using browser isolation technologies to limit the impact of potential exploitation
• Block known malicious file types at the network perimeter and email gateway

# Chrome Enterprise Policy Configuration Example
# Restrict extension installation sources via registry (Windows)
# HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
# ExtensionInstallSources = ["https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx"]
# ExtensionInstallBlocklist = ["*"]
# ExtensionInstallAllowlist = ["approved-extension-id-1", "approved-extension-id-2"]