CVE-2026-87650 Overview
CVE-2026-87650 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the WebGL component of Google Chrome versions prior to 153.0.8010.36. A remote attacker can exploit this flaw by convincing a user to visit a crafted HTML page. Successful exploitation may allow arbitrary code execution outside the Chrome sandbox. The issue is tracked as [CWE-125] and rated High by the Chromium security team.
Critical Impact
Attackers can potentially escape the Chrome sandbox and execute arbitrary code on the target system through a single malicious web page.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome (Desktop) versions prior to 153.0.8010.36
- Chromium-based browsers using the same WebGL rendering pipeline
- All operating system builds (Windows, macOS, Linux) shipping the vulnerable Chrome release
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-09 - CVE CVE-2026-87650 published to NVD
- 2026-09-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Additional details are available in the Google Chrome Desktop Update and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Technical Details for CVE-2026-87650
Vulnerability Analysis
The flaw resides in Chrome's WebGL implementation, which exposes GPU-accelerated 3D graphics to JavaScript. WebGL parses buffers, textures, and shader inputs supplied by web content. An out-of-bounds read occurs when the component reads memory beyond an allocated buffer boundary. Attackers can use this primitive to leak process memory or, when combined with other techniques, achieve code execution outside the renderer sandbox. Because the attack requires only that a user visit a crafted HTML page, the exploitation barrier is low.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect bounds validation on data processed by the WebGL subsystem [CWE-125]. When the component computes offsets or lengths derived from attacker-controlled parameters, it reads past the end of an allocated region. This behavior exposes adjacent memory contents to the calling JavaScript context and can corrupt subsequent processing paths.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is network-based and requires user interaction. An attacker hosts a crafted HTML page that invokes specific WebGL calls with malformed parameters. When the victim loads the page in an unpatched Chrome build, the renderer triggers the out-of-bounds read. A scope change is involved, meaning the impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component to system resources. Chained with additional flaws, the primitive supports code execution outside the sandbox boundary.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is currently listed for this CVE. Technical details are available in the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-87650
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Chrome renderer process crashes with signatures pointing to WebGL or GPU sandbox modules.
- Outbound connections from Chrome renderer or GPU processes to previously unseen domains hosting HTML with heavy WebGL content.
- Spawning of child processes by chrome.exe outside the normal browser process tree.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory endpoints running Chrome versions older than 153.0.8010.36 and flag them for prioritized patching.
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for renderer process anomalies, including crash dumps referencing WebGL shader or buffer functions.
- Correlate web proxy logs with browser telemetry to identify users accessing pages with unusual WebGL payloads shortly before crash events.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable browser crash reporting and forward events to the SIEM for correlation with process lineage data.
- Track Chrome version inventory continuously and alert when hosts drift below the patched build.
- Watch for post-exploitation behaviors such as credential access, LSASS reads, or unexpected persistence originating from browser child processes.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-87650
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 153.0.8010.36 or later on all managed endpoints without delay.
- Restart Chrome after the update to ensure the patched binary is loaded across all user sessions.
- Audit third-party Chromium-based browsers and apply vendor updates that incorporate the upstream fix.
Patch Information
Google addressed the vulnerability in the Chrome Stable channel release documented in the Google Chrome Desktop Update. Administrators should deploy 153.0.8010.36 or later via enterprise update policies (Group Policy on Windows, MDM profiles on macOS, package managers on Linux).
Workarounds
- Where patching is delayed, disable WebGL in Chrome via the chrome://flags/#disable-webgl setting or enterprise policy HardwareAccelerationModeEnabled=false.
- Restrict browsing to trusted sites using enterprise URL allowlists until the patch is fully deployed.
- Enforce site isolation and keep the Chrome sandbox enabled to raise the exploitation cost.
# Configuration example: enforce minimum Chrome version via Group Policy (Windows)
# Registry path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
TargetVersionPrefix = "153.0.8010.36"
RelaunchNotification = 2
RelaunchNotificationPeriod = 86400000
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
