CVE-2026-79219 Overview
CVE-2026-79219 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] in the Bluetooth component of Google Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.65. A remote attacker can exploit this flaw by convincing a user to install a crafted Chrome extension, allowing arbitrary code execution outside the browser sandbox. Google has rated the Chromium security severity as High. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically a social engineering component to induce extension installation. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code outside the Chrome sandbox on a victim endpoint, potentially leading to full host compromise through a malicious extension delivered via social engineering.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome desktop versions prior to 152.0.7977.65
- All operating systems running vulnerable Chrome builds (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Chromium-based derivatives that inherit the vulnerable Bluetooth code path
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-25 - CVE-2026-79219 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-08-27 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-79219
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in Chrome's Bluetooth subsystem, which manages Web Bluetooth API interactions and device pairing state. A use-after-free condition occurs when a Bluetooth-related object is referenced after its backing memory has been released. Attackers who trigger the dangling pointer can reclaim the freed allocation with attacker-controlled data.
Because the vulnerable code path can be reached from a Chrome extension, the attacker operates with extension privileges rather than standard web-origin restrictions. Extensions run with elevated capabilities and can interact directly with browser-internal APIs. This context enables the attacker to escape the renderer sandbox and execute native code on the host.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper lifetime management of Bluetooth objects within Chrome. When an object is freed but a reference remains reachable, subsequent operations dereference invalid memory. Use-after-free bugs in browsers frequently enable type confusion or arbitrary read/write primitives that lead to code execution.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a two-step chain. First, the attacker uses social engineering to convince the user to install a malicious Chrome extension. Second, the extension interacts with the Bluetooth API in a manner that triggers the use-after-free. The result is arbitrary code execution outside the sandbox on the victim endpoint. Public proof-of-concept code is not available at this time.
Technical details are tracked in Chromium Issue Tracker #516947491.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-79219
Indicators of Compromise
- Installation of unsigned or sideloaded Chrome extensions from non-Web-Store sources
- Chrome child processes spawning unexpected native binaries or shell interpreters
- Anomalous outbound network connections initiated by chrome.exe or its helper processes shortly after extension installation
- Unexpected persistence artifacts written by browser processes to user profile or startup locations
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed Chrome extensions across the fleet and flag extensions loaded via --load-extension, developer mode, or enterprise policy overrides
- Alert on Chrome versions below 152.0.7977.65 reported by endpoint telemetry or software inventory tools
- Monitor for process lineage in which Chrome renderer or utility processes spawn unusual child processes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest browser process telemetry into a centralized data lake for behavioral correlation across endpoints
- Correlate extension install events with subsequent outbound network activity to identify staged post-exploitation behavior
- Track Chrome update compliance and generate exceptions for endpoints running out-of-date builds
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-79219
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later on all managed endpoints
- Enforce enterprise policy restricting extension installation to an approved allowlist
- Audit currently installed extensions and remove any that are unsigned, sideloaded, or lack a legitimate business need
- Communicate to users the risk of installing extensions from links, chat messages, or unofficial sources
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-79219 in the Chrome Stable channel release announced in the Google Chrome Stable Update. Deploy version 152.0.7977.65 or later. Managed environments should validate that Chrome auto-update is enabled and reachable, and confirm remediation via endpoint software inventory.
Workarounds
- Use the ExtensionInstallAllowlist and ExtensionInstallBlocklist enterprise policies to restrict which extensions users can install
- Disable Chrome developer mode for standard users to prevent unpacked extension loading
- Restrict access to the Web Bluetooth API through the DefaultWebBluetoothGuardSetting policy where Bluetooth functionality is not required
# Chrome enterprise policy example (Windows registry)
# Block all extensions except an approved allowlist
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallBlocklist" /v 1 /t REG_SZ /d "*" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\ExtensionInstallAllowlist" /v 1 /t REG_SZ /d "<approved-extension-id>" /f
# Disable Web Bluetooth where not required
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v DefaultWebBluetoothGuardSetting /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
