CVE-2026-14389: Chrome Skia Integer Overflow Sandbox Escape Vulnerability

Technical summary

CVE-2026-14389 is an integer overflow vulnerability in Skia, the open-source graphics rendering library embedded in Google Chrome. The vulnerability exists in the renderer process and can be exploited through a crafted HTML page to achieve a sandbox escape. The integer overflow occurs during a computation that Skia performs when processing graphics data. When crafted inputs cause this overflow, they corrupt memory in a way that permits arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the renderer process. Normally, the renderer operates in a restricted sandbox that prevents direct system access; however, this vulnerability permits an attacker already present in the renderer to elevate privileges and access the host OS. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), and relies on user interaction such as visiting a malicious site (UI:R). The impact scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can affect systems beyond the vulnerable component itself.

Business impact

A successful exploit could lead to complete compromise of a user's system, including theft of sensitive data, installation of malware, or ransomware deployment. For organizations, this means every Chrome user visiting a malicious site while an attacker maintains a renderer-process foothold faces potential lateral movement into the corporate network. The CVSS score of 8.3 (HIGH) reflects the severity of a sandbox escape; while the Chromium project rated this as Medium severity internally, the ability to fully escape the browser sandbox and execute arbitrary OS-level code represents a material security risk. Organizations should prioritize patching affected Chrome instances, particularly on systems handling sensitive information or operating in zero-trust environments that depend on browser isolation.

Affected systems

Google Chrome versions prior to 150.0.7871.46 are affected. This includes all earlier stable releases and likely affects Chromium-based browsers that incorporate the vulnerable Skia library, though the source data specifies only Google Chrome. Verify the exact scope with your browser vendor's advisory.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires two conditions: (1) an attacker must first compromise the Chrome renderer process through an unrelated vulnerability or social engineering, and (2) the victim must then navigate to a malicious HTML page. The high attack complexity rating reflects the multi-step nature of the attack. However, once a renderer is compromised, the attacker needs only a single crafted webpage to escape the sandbox. Real-world exploitability depends on the availability of renderer-process vulnerabilities (which are common) and user browsing behavior. The attack does not require authentication or special browser configuration.

Remediation

Update Google Chrome to version 150.0.7871.46 or later. Chrome's built-in auto-update mechanism should deploy the patch automatically, but verify completion on critical systems. Organizations managing Chrome at scale should validate deployment through their management tools or by checking the version string in chrome://settings/help. No workarounds exist for this vulnerability; patching is the only mitigation.

Patch guidance

Upgrade all Chrome instances to version 150.0.7871.46 or newer. Organizations using Chrome Enterprise should consult their admin console for deployment status and consider expedited rollout to critical endpoints. For managed Chrome OS devices, the patch should deploy automatically via the scheduled update cycle; verify it has taken effect by checking the Chrome OS settings > About Chrome OS. For unmanaged users, encourage immediate manual update by clicking the menu > Help > About Google Chrome, which will check for and install the latest version. Test the patch on a representative sample of systems before full deployment to rule out compatibility issues, though this is rare for Chrome security releases.

Detection guidance

Monitor for Chrome version numbers below 150.0.7871.46 in endpoint telemetry and asset inventory. Advanced detection would involve behavioral analysis for renderer-process escape attempts (e.g., renderer process spawning child processes with higher privileges), though this may be challenging to distinguish from legitimate activity. Log and review access to sensitive files or network connections immediately after Chrome browser crashes or restarts, which might indicate post-exploitation activity. Organizations with EDR solutions should look for suspicious process creation or token elevation occurring after a Chrome tab activity. No specific payload signatures are available given the integer overflow nature of the flaw, but correlate any crash dumps from affected Chrome versions with exploitation attempts.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits high priority despite the two-step exploitation requirement. Sandbox escapes are among the most serious browser vulnerabilities because they erase the isolation boundary that protects the host OS. The CVSS score of 8.3 reflects maximum impact (confidentiality, integrity, and availability), and the scope change indicates multi-component compromise. While the Chromium project internally assessed this as Medium severity, the practical consequence—full OS compromise—justifies treating it as critical in patch management queues. The existence of widely-exploited Chrome renderer vulnerabilities (CWE-472 integer overflows are common in graphics engines) elevates real-world risk.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3 (HIGH) is driven by maximum impact ratings (C:H, I:H, A:H) for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with a changed scope (S:C) indicating the vulnerability reaches beyond the Chrome process to the underlying system. The attack vector is network (AV:N), reflecting web-based delivery via HTML. Attack complexity is high (AC:H) because the attacker must first compromise the renderer; this is not a single-click exploit. Lack of required privileges (PR:N) and inclusion of user interaction (UI:R) are balanced by the severity of the end state: arbitrary code execution with OS-level privileges. The score appropriately prioritizes this vulnerability despite its two-stage nature.

Frequently asked questions