CVE-2026-79206 Overview
CVE-2026-79206 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the FileSystem component of Google Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.65. A remote attacker can leverage social engineering to trick a user into visiting a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to read memory outside the browser sandbox boundary. Chromium classifies the security severity as Low. The flaw is tracked as CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read.
Critical Impact
Attackers can read process memory outside intended sandbox boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from the browser process to malicious web content.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome Desktop versions prior to 152.0.7977.65
- Chromium-based browsers incorporating the vulnerable FileSystem component
- Downstream distributions that ship Chromium before the patched release
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-25 - CVE-2026-79206 published to NVD
- 2026-08-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-79206
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the FileSystem implementation within Chrome's renderer or browser process. An out-of-bounds read occurs when the code accesses memory beyond the bounds of an allocated buffer during FileSystem operations. Attackers craft an HTML page that triggers the flawed code path when a victim visits the site. The read primitive lets adversaries retrieve adjacent memory contents that may contain pointers, tokens, or other sensitive state. The EPSS score is 0.174% at the 6.973 percentile, reflecting a low predicted exploitation likelihood.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient bounds validation on buffer indices or offsets used by FileSystem operations [CWE-125]. When the vulnerable path processes attacker-controlled input from a crafted page, the read extends beyond the intended buffer. Refer to the Chromium Issue Tracker #513361380 for internal defect context, once public access is granted.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires user interaction. The attacker must convince a target to open a malicious URL or attacker-controlled site, consistent with the social engineering requirement described in the advisory. No authentication or privileges are needed on the browser side. The out-of-bounds read allows information disclosure across the sandbox but does not directly yield code execution.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Google Chrome Stable Update advisory for release notes.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-79206
Indicators of Compromise
- Browser processes crashing or generating unexpected renderer termination events tied to FileSystem API calls
- Outbound connections from user endpoints to newly registered domains hosting unsolicited HTML content
- Endpoint telemetry showing Chrome versions below 152.0.7977.65 still in production use
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome and Chromium-derivative versions across managed endpoints and flag builds prior to 152.0.7977.65
- Correlate web proxy logs with threat intelligence feeds to identify user visits to phishing or social engineering lures
- Monitor browser crash reports and Windows Error Reporting or crashpad output for repeated renderer faults in FileSystem code paths
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce browser version reporting through management tooling such as Chrome Browser Cloud Management or Group Policy
- Alert on execution of outdated Chrome binaries via endpoint process telemetry
- Track user interaction with suspicious external links surfaced by email and web security gateways
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-79206
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all Google Chrome installations to version 152.0.7977.65 or later
- Restart Chrome after updating to ensure the patched binaries are loaded into running sessions
- Audit fleet-wide browser versions and prioritize systems with elevated exposure to untrusted web content
Patch Information
Google addressed the vulnerability in the Chrome Stable channel release documented in the Chrome Releases blog. Administrators should validate that endpoints have applied the update and that any Chromium-based derivatives have picked up the corresponding fix from upstream.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites via web filtering until the patch is deployed
- Deliver end-user awareness updates on social engineering lures that direct users to unfamiliar HTML pages
- Use enterprise browser policies to disable non-essential FileSystem features where feasible
# Verify installed Chrome version on Linux endpoints
google-chrome --version
# Force policy-driven update on managed Windows endpoints
gpupdate /force
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
