CVE-2026-5912: Google Chrome WebRTC RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2026-5912 Overview

CVE-2026-5912 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the WebRTC component of Google Chrome prior to version 147.0.7727.55. This memory corruption flaw allows a remote attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory write by enticing a user to visit a specially crafted HTML page. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network and requires user interaction (visiting a malicious webpage).

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or installation of malware.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome prior to version 147.0.7727.55
• Chromium-based browsers using vulnerable WebRTC implementations
• Desktop platforms running affected Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-08 - CVE-2026-5912 published to NVD
• 2026-04-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-5912

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists in the WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) component of Google Chrome, which handles peer-to-peer communication for audio, video, and data sharing directly in web browsers. The integer overflow condition occurs when processing specially crafted data, causing arithmetic operations to wrap around and produce unexpectedly small values. When these incorrect values are subsequently used for memory allocation or buffer size calculations, they result in undersized buffers that are then overwritten beyond their intended boundaries.

The out-of-bounds memory write that follows the integer overflow can corrupt adjacent memory structures, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite critical program data, function pointers, or other sensitive memory regions. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-472 (External Control of Assumed-Immutable Web Parameter), indicating that external input can influence memory operations in unintended ways.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-5912 is improper validation of integer arithmetic operations within the WebRTC codebase. When processing media streams or related WebRTC data structures, certain calculations fail to check for integer overflow conditions before using the resulting values for memory operations. This allows a carefully crafted HTML page to trigger arithmetic overflow, leading to allocation of insufficient buffer space and subsequent out-of-bounds writes.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker must convince a victim to navigate to a malicious website containing a specially crafted HTML page. The attack flow is as follows:

1. The attacker hosts a malicious webpage containing crafted WebRTC content designed to trigger the integer overflow
2. The victim is enticed to visit the malicious page through phishing, social engineering, or compromised legitimate websites
3. When the victim's browser processes the malicious WebRTC content, the integer overflow occurs
4. The resulting out-of-bounds memory write corrupts memory, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution

The vulnerability requires no special privileges and can be triggered through normal web browsing, making it particularly dangerous for users who may inadvertently visit malicious sites. For technical details, see the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-5912

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected Chrome browser crashes or instability, particularly when visiting unfamiliar websites
• Anomalous memory consumption patterns in Chrome processes related to WebRTC functionality
• Detection of suspicious WebRTC-related JavaScript code attempting to manipulate media streams with abnormal parameters
• Browser process spawning unexpected child processes or network connections following webpage visits

Detection Strategies

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring browser process behavior and memory operations
• Implement network security monitoring to detect connections to known malicious domains hosting exploit kits
• Configure browser telemetry collection to identify unusual WebRTC usage patterns across the organization
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect exploitation attempts targeting browser memory corruption vulnerabilities

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor Chrome browser version deployments across the environment to identify unpatched systems running versions prior to 147.0.7727.55
• Enable enhanced logging for browser process activities and correlate with SIEM solutions
• Track CVE-2026-5912 through threat intelligence feeds for any indications of active exploitation in the wild
• Review the Google Chrome Release Update for additional security information

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-5912

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 147.0.7727.55 or later immediately across all managed endpoints
• Enable automatic Chrome updates to ensure timely application of security patches
• Consider using enterprise browser management tools to enforce minimum browser version requirements
• Educate users about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of browser updates

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 147.0.7727.55. Organizations should prioritize updating to this version or later. The patch information is available through the Google Chrome Release Update. Enterprise administrators can deploy updates through Google's enterprise management tools or third-party patch management solutions.

Workarounds

• If immediate patching is not possible, consider temporarily disabling WebRTC in Chrome through enterprise policies using the WebRtcAllowLegacyTLSProtocols flag or browser extensions
• Implement web filtering to block access to known malicious domains and newly registered domains that may host exploits
• Use network segmentation to limit the impact of potential browser compromises on critical systems
• Deploy additional browser isolation technologies to contain potential exploitation attempts

# Chrome Enterprise Policy Configuration to disable WebRTC (temporary workaround)
# Add to Chrome policy configuration file
{
  "WebRtcLocalIpsAllowedUrls": [],
  "WebRtcEventLogCollectionAllowed": false
}