CVE-2026-11677: Chrome Sandbox Escape via macOS Network Process Race Condition

Technical summary

CVE-2026-11677 is a race condition (CWE-362) in the network handling component of Google Chrome on macOS. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 149.0.7827.103. The race condition allows an already-compromised network process to exploit a timing window during HTML page processing, enabling sandbox escape. The attack surface is limited to users on macOS systems; the vulnerability does not affect Chrome on Windows or Linux. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the same privileges as the user running Chrome, potentially allowing access to system resources protected by the sandbox boundary.

Business impact

Organizations with macOS-based workforces face elevated risk if Chrome is the primary browser. A sandbox escape could enable lateral movement from a compromised browser process to user files, credentials, and potentially system-level access. The practical impact depends on your network's ability to prevent initial network process compromise—if your environment has strong isolation and monitoring, the attack chain is harder to complete. However, this vulnerability is particularly concerning in scenarios where users browse untrusted content or where multi-stage attacks are expected. Patching is essential to close this escalation vector.

Affected systems

Google Chrome versions prior to 149.0.7827.103 on macOS are affected. The vulnerability is specific to the macOS platform and does not impact Chrome on Windows, Linux, Android, or iOS. Any macOS user running an unpatched version of Chrome is at risk if their network process is compromised. Organizations should verify Chrome version numbers across their macOS fleet.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires two conditions: (1) the network process must already be compromised by an attacker, and (2) the user must visit a crafted HTML page while the compromise is active. This is not a wormable vulnerability and requires user interaction. The CVSS score of 8.3 (High) reflects the severity of the sandbox escape outcome, but the practical exploitability is constrained by the need for prior network process compromise. This vulnerability is not tracked as a Known Exploited Vulnerability (KEV) by CISA.

Remediation

Update Google Chrome to version 149.0.7827.103 or later on all macOS systems. Verify the update through Chrome's Settings > About Chrome menu, which will display the current version and automatically check for updates. No workarounds are available; patching is the only mitigation. For enterprise environments, use Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Chrome policies to enforce automatic updates and verify compliance across the fleet.

Patch guidance

Deploy Chrome version 149.0.7827.103 or later across your macOS infrastructure. Chrome's auto-update mechanism will deliver the patch automatically to most users within days of release, but verify completion in your environment. For enterprises using managed Chrome deployments, push the update through your MDM solution to ensure coverage of all devices. Prioritize macOS systems that run high-risk workflows or have network-facing roles, as they present the highest exploitation likelihood.

Detection guidance

Monitor for unusual process behavior following Chrome sandbox boundaries—specifically, look for child processes spawned from the Chrome renderer or network process that execute system-level commands or access unauthorized file paths. In macOS environments, review system logs for unexpected process escalation. If network monitoring shows signs of process compromise (unusual DNS queries, unexpected outbound connections from Chrome), treat it as a precursor to potential sandbox escape attempts. Check for successful privilege escalation events in audit logs correlated with Chrome activity. Current vulnerability scanners will flag unpatched Chrome installations; prioritize systems showing version numbers below 149.0.7827.103.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits high priority because it enables sandbox escape—a critical security boundary—but only after a network process compromise. Organizations should treat this as a secondary risk amplifier: if you have other vulnerabilities that could compromise Chrome's network process, this CVE becomes a pathway to system compromise. Patch immediately if you have high-risk users or systems exposed to untrusted content, and treat it as standard-priority patching for general enterprise deployments.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3 (High) reflects: Network Attack Vector (AV:N), High complexity due to the race condition timing (AC:H), no privilege requirement for triggering the race (PR:N), but user interaction required (UI:R). The impact scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component—specifically, system resources outside the Chrome sandbox. All three impact categories (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) are rated High. The 8.3 score accurately represents a serious vulnerability that requires immediate patching, though the constraint of needing prior network process compromise means real-world risk depends on your threat model.

Frequently asked questions