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CVE-2026-9946 Google CVE debrief

Use-after-free vulnerability in ANGLE, the graphics rendering layer used by Google Chrome. A remote attacker who has already compromised the renderer process can exploit this flaw to potentially escape the Chrome sandbox via a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability affects Chrome versions prior to 148.0.7778.216 on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Google has assigned a High severity rating to this issue.

Vendor
Google
Product
Chrome
CVSS
HIGH 8.3
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2026-05-28
Original CVE updated
2026-07-21
Advisory published
2026-05-28
Advisory updated
2026-07-21

Who should care

Organizations with Chrome deployments on Windows, macOS, or Linux; security teams defending against advanced persistent threats that employ browser-based attack chains; and administrators managing endpoints where users access untrusted web content.

Technical summary

This vulnerability exists in ANGLE (Almost Native Graphics Layer Engine), which translates OpenGL ES API calls to platform-specific graphics APIs. A use-after-free condition can be triggered when a crafted HTML page manipulates graphics resources in a way that causes memory to be freed and subsequently accessed. Successful exploitation requires prior compromise of the Chrome renderer process, which runs in a restricted sandbox. The attacker can then leverage this vulnerability to escape that sandbox and execute code with elevated privileges. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H reflects network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, changed scope, and high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Defensive priority

high

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update Google Chrome to version 148.0.7778.216 or later on all affected platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).
  • Verify automatic update mechanisms are enabled and functioning for Chrome deployments.
  • Prioritize patching for systems where users browse untrusted or attacker-controlled web content, as this vulnerability requires renderer process compromise as a prerequisite.
  • Monitor for indicators of renderer process compromise as an early warning signal for potential sandbox escape attempts.
  • Restrict access to the Chromium issue tracker reference (ref-5) to security personnel with appropriate permissions if seeking additional technical details.

Evidence notes

The NVD entry lists this vulnerability as 'Analyzed' with a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3 (HIGH). The CPE criteria indicate affected versions are Chrome prior to 148.0.7778.216 on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. The Chromium issue tracker reference (ref-5) is marked 'Permissions Required,' indicating restricted access to technical details. The vendor advisory (ref-4) provides the stable channel update notification. CWE-416 (Use After Free) is identified as the weakness type.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2026-9946 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-9946

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2026-9946 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-9946

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.