CVE-2026-7340 Overview
CVE-2026-7340 is an integer overflow vulnerability affecting the ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine) component in Google Chrome on Windows. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 147.0.7727.138 and can be exploited by a remote attacker through a specially crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation allows an out-of-bounds memory read, potentially exposing sensitive information from browser memory.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can leverage this integer overflow to perform out-of-bounds memory reads, potentially leaking sensitive data from the browser's memory space through malicious web pages.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome on Windows prior to version 147.0.7727.138
- Chromium-based browsers on Windows using vulnerable ANGLE versions
- Applications embedding Chromium with ANGLE graphics layer
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-28 - CVE-2026-7340 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7340
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-472 (External Control of Assumed-Immutable Web Parameter). The flaw resides within the ANGLE component, which serves as Chrome's graphics abstraction layer for translating OpenGL ES calls to native graphics APIs on Windows (DirectX). The integer overflow condition occurs during memory allocation or buffer size calculations within the graphics rendering pipeline.
When processing specific graphics-related operations triggered by malicious HTML content, the integer overflow leads to an incorrectly sized memory buffer. Subsequent read operations then access memory beyond the allocated bounds, enabling information disclosure. While the Chromium security team classified this as Medium severity, the network-accessible nature of the attack vector makes it a concern for enterprise environments.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in insufficient validation of integer values used in memory size calculations within the ANGLE graphics layer. When arithmetic operations on size values exceed the maximum representable integer, the result wraps around to a smaller value. This results in allocation of an undersized buffer, while subsequent operations assume the originally intended (larger) size, leading to out-of-bounds memory access.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable remotely through the network attack vector. An attacker must craft a malicious HTML page containing specific graphics operations that trigger the integer overflow condition in ANGLE. The attack requires user interaction—the victim must navigate to or be redirected to the attacker-controlled page. Upon rendering the malicious content, Chrome's ANGLE component processes the crafted graphics calls, triggering the overflow and subsequent out-of-bounds read.
The vulnerability mechanism involves crafted WebGL or other graphics API calls that cause integer overflow during buffer size calculations within ANGLE's rendering pipeline. When the victim's browser processes these calls, memory contents beyond the intended buffer boundaries can be read. For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7340
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual Chrome renderer process crashes or abnormal memory access patterns
- Web pages with obfuscated JavaScript making excessive WebGL or graphics API calls
- Browser crash dumps indicating ANGLE component faults
- Network traffic to newly registered or suspicious domains serving graphics-heavy content
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for Chrome versions below 147.0.7727.138 across managed endpoints
- Implement browser extension policies to block WebGL on untrusted domains
- Deploy endpoint detection rules for anomalous Chrome renderer behavior
- Analyze proxy logs for access to known malicious domains serving exploit content
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Chrome crash reporting and centrally collect browser telemetry
- Monitor for repeated ANGLE-related error messages in browser console logs
- Track Chrome version compliance across the organization using asset management tools
- Implement real-time browser process monitoring for memory access violations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7340
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 147.0.7727.138 or later immediately
- Verify all Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Opera) are also updated to patched versions
- Consider temporarily disabling WebGL via Chrome flags (chrome://flags/#disable-webgl) on sensitive systems
- Restrict access to untrusted websites through web filtering solutions
Patch Information
Google has released Chrome version 147.0.7727.138 which addresses this vulnerability. The fix is included in the stable channel update announced on April 28, 2026. Organizations should deploy this update through their enterprise management solutions. For details, see the Google Chrome Update Announcement.
Workarounds
- Disable WebGL in Chrome via command line flag --disable-webgl or through enterprise policy
- Use application-level sandboxing to isolate browser processes
- Implement strict Content Security Policy headers on internal web applications
- Consider using Chrome's Site Isolation feature with enhanced protections
# Configuration example - Disable WebGL via Chrome enterprise policy
# For Windows Group Policy, create the following registry entry:
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v WebGlAllowedForUrls /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v WebGlBlockedForUrls /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "*" /f
# Alternative: Launch Chrome with WebGL disabled
chrome.exe --disable-webgl --disable-webgl2
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
