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CVE-2026-76046 is a high-severity buffer overflow vulnerability discovered within ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine), a graphics library used by Google Chrome to translate WebGL and OpenGL ES content into platform-specific graphics APIs. This flaw specifically affects Chrome on Android devices running versions prior to 151.0.7922.169.
ANGLE is a critical component of the Chrome browser responsible for rendering 3D graphics and complex visual content. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking when ANGLE processes certain graphics commands, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122). When Chrome’s renderer process encounters a specially crafted HTML page containing malicious WebGL content, the buffer overflow condition is triggered within the ANGLE library.
The attack chain begins when a user visits a compromised or attacker-controlled website serving the malicious HTML page. The renderer process, which handles parsing and execution of web content, processes the malformed graphics instructions. Due to the buffer overflow, an attacker who has already achieved initial compromise of the renderer process can write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The critical aspect of this vulnerability is its ability to break out of Chrome’s sandbox protection. Chrome employs a multi-process architecture where the renderer process runs with restricted privileges inside a sandbox. However, by exploiting this buffer overflow, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome browser process itself, which operates outside the sandbox with significantly higher system access. This effectively allows a remote attacker to escape the browser’s security containment and execute malicious code on the underlying Android operating system.
The vulnerability was reported to Google on July 19, 2026, and patched in the August 18, 2026 stable channel update. The Chromium security severity is rated as High. The attack requires user interaction (visiting a malicious page) and is not automatable, but successful exploitation leads to total technical impact with full compromise of the device.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Android
Version: <151.0.7922.169
Vulnerability: Heap Buffer Overflow
Severity: High (CVSS 8.3-8.8)
Date: 2026-08-18
Prediction: Patch already available (Aug 18, 2026)
What Undercode Say:
The vulnerability is a classic heap-based buffer overflow in ANGLE’s graphics parsing logic. Successful exploitation requires a two-stage attack: first compromising the renderer process (via another vulnerability), then using this overflow to achieve sandbox escape. Given the requirement for renderer compromise, this vulnerability is most dangerous in multi-stage attack chains.
Analytics:
- CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 8.8 (High) – Vector: AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA-ADP CVSS v3.1: 8.3 (High) – Vector: AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS Score: Not yet available
- SSVC: Exploitation: none | Automatable: no | Technical Impact: total
Bash Commands:
Check Chrome version on Android via ADB:
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName
Check if device is vulnerable:
CHROME_VERSION=$(adb shell dumpsys package com.android.chrome | grep versionName | head -1 | cut -d= -f2) if [[ "$CHROME_VERSION" < "151.0.7922.169" ]]; then echo "VULNERABLE: Chrome $CHROME_VERSION < 151.0.7922.169" else echo "PATCHED: Chrome $CHROME_VERSION" fi
Exploit: (Educational Purposes!)
<!-- EDUCATIONAL DEMONSTRATION - Concept only -->
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<script>
// Simplified conceptual trigger - not a working exploit
function triggerANGLEOverflow() {
// ANGLE processes WebGL buffer data
// Heap overflow occurs when buffer size exceeds allocated memory
// Attacker-controlled data overwrites adjacent memory structures
// Leading to arbitrary code execution outside sandbox
const maliciousData = new Float32Array(1024 1024 10);
// Actual exploit would require precise heap grooming
// and specific ANGLE function calls to overwrite vtables
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<canvas id="canvas"></canvas>
<script>
// Educational representation only - does not exploit
const canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl');
// Crafted buffer that triggers overflow in ANGLE parsing
// Actual exploitation requires detailed memory layout knowledge
</script>
</body>
</html>
Protection:
- Update Chrome immediately to version 151.0.7922.169 or later via Google Play Store
2. Disable JavaScript temporarily as a workaround (chrome://settings/content/javascript)
- Avoid visiting untrusted websites until patch is applied
- Use an alternative browser on Android devices that cannot be immediately updated
- Enable Enhanced Safe Browsing in Chrome settings for additional protection
Impact:
- Sandbox Escape: Allows attacker to execute code outside Chrome’s sandbox with browser process privileges
- Full Device Compromise: Potential for complete control of the Android device, including sensitive data access
- Malware Installation: Attacker can install persistent malware or surveillance tools
- Data Theft: Access to saved passwords, cookies, browsing history, and personal information
- Remote Code Execution: Arbitrary code execution in the context of the Chrome browser process
- Affected Systems: Google Chrome for Android versions prior to 151.0.7922.169
- Desktop versions of Chrome are NOT affected by this specific vulnerability
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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