CVE-2026-10964: Google Chrome V8 Integer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Technical summary

CVE-2026-10964 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the V8 JavaScript engine integrated into Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.53. The flaw allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code within the Chrome sandbox via a maliciously crafted HTML page that triggers the integer overflow condition. The vulnerability requires user interaction (clicking a link or visiting a site) but no special privileges. It is categorized under CWE-472 (Improper Preservation of Importance of Data) and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (High), reflecting high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Business impact

This vulnerability poses a direct threat to organizations whose users rely on Chrome for web browsing. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal sensitive data (credentials, emails, files), inject malware, or use compromised browsers as beachheads for lateral network movement. The requirement for user interaction (visiting a malicious site) makes it suitable for spear-phishing and watering-hole campaigns targeting specific organizations. The sandbox restriction limits but does not eliminate impact, as chained exploits could escalate privileges or escape the sandbox entirely.

Affected systems

The vulnerability affects Google Chrome prior to version 149.0.7827.53. While the source lists other operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), the vulnerability resides in the V8 engine bundled with Chrome itself; users on any supported OS running a vulnerable Chrome version are at risk. Organizations should verify Chrome version across all managed endpoints, including corporate workstations and BYOD devices.

Exploitability

Exploitability is moderately high. The attack requires crafting a malicious HTML page and convincing a user to visit it—a realistic threat vector via email, compromised advertisements, or malicious links on social media. No special network conditions or authentication are needed. The sandbox restriction means the exploit does not directly grant system-level access, but this is a known weakness in V8 sandbox designs and often serves as a stepping stone in real-world campaigns. Public disclosure and active research interest in V8 vulnerabilities suggest proof-of-concept code may emerge quickly.

Remediation

Update Google Chrome to version 149.0.7827.53 or later immediately. Google typically ships updates automatically; verify completion by navigating to chrome://settings/help. For enterprise deployments, use Chrome Enterprise policies or mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce version requirements. Consider supplementary mitigations: restrict user access to untrusted websites, deploy network-based content filtering, and monitor for anomalous child process spawning from Chrome.

Patch guidance

Google Chrome will notify users of the update and prompt them to restart the browser. Verify successful patching by checking chrome://settings/help or chrome://version, which should display version 149.0.7827.53 or higher. For centrally managed Chrome deployments, confirm via your enterprise management console. Instruct users not to bypass update prompts. No workarounds are available; patching is the only effective mitigation.

Detection guidance

Monitor for unusual Chrome process behavior (spawning unexpected child processes, suspicious memory allocations, or abnormal system calls). In sandboxed environments or EDR solutions, alert on V8 engine errors or exceptions followed by process escalation attempts. Browser crash dumps may contain artifacts indicative of integer overflow exploitation. Network-level detection is limited; focus on behavioral analytics rather than signature-based approaches.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits immediate attention due to its high CVSS score (8.8), the ease of delivery via web browsing, and the widespread use of Chrome in enterprise environments. While the sandbox provides a layer of containment, chaining this flaw with sandbox escape techniques creates genuine system compromise risk. The requirement for only user interaction (no authentication) and the network-accessible vector make it a priority for phishing-prone organizations.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects: network accessibility (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privilege requirement (PR:N), but necessary user interaction (UI:R). The impact is severe across all three categories—high confidentiality loss (browsing data, stored credentials), high integrity impact (malware injection), and high availability impact (system disruption). The score is not mitigated by the sandbox, as the score reflects the vulnerability itself, not post-sandbox attack potential.

Frequently asked questions