CVE-2026-2441 is a high-severity zero-day vulnerability in the Google Chrome browser that was first disclosed and patched in February 2026. This flaw is particularly significant because it was discovered being actively exploited in the wild by threat actors before a patch was available. 🕵️♂️💻
The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute malicious code within the browser’s sandbox, often triggered simply by a user visiting a compromised or specially crafted website.
🔍 Technical Analysis: The CSS Exploit
Unlike many browser vulnerabilities that target the JavaScript engine (V8), CVE-2026-2441 targets the CSS rendering engine (Blink).
- Vulnerability Type: Use-After-Free (UAF).
- Root Cause: The flaw originates in how Chrome handles CSS font feature values (specifically within the
CSSFontFeatureValuesMapimplementation). - The “Race”: When the browser parses a malformed CSS payload, it may incorrectly deallocate (free) a memory object while still maintaining a “dangling pointer” to it. An attacker can then “groom” the system’s memory to fill that freed space with their own malicious data. When the browser attempts to use that pointer again, it inadvertently executes the attacker’s code. 🏎️💨
Sandbox Escape Potential
While the primary impact is code execution inside the Chrome sandbox, sophisticated attackers often “chain” this vulnerability with a second exploit. By breaking out of the renderer process into the GPU or browser process, they can achieve a full sandbox escape, potentially gaining control over the entire operating system. 🔓🏗️
📊 Risk Assessment
| Metric | Value |
| CVSS Score | 8.8 (High) |
| Exploitation Status | Confirmed Active (Added to CISA KEV catalog) |
| Attack Vector | Network / Remote (Drive-by download) |
| Interaction Required | None (User only needs to visit a page) |
🛡️ Affected Versions & Remediation
The vulnerability affects all Chromium-based browsers, meaning users of Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi are also at risk until their respective vendors release updates.
Affected Versions:
- Windows & macOS: Prior to 145.0.7632.75
- Linux: Prior to 144.0.7559.75
Immediate Action Required:
- Update Chrome: Navigate to
Settings>About Chrome. The browser should automatically check for and download the update. - Restart the Browser: The patch is not active until the browser is completely closed and reopened. 🔄
- Verify Version: Ensure your version matches or exceeds the fixed builds listed above.
🏛️ Context in 2026 Cybersecurity
This event marks the first major Chrome zero-day of 2026. Security researchers (notably Shaheen Fazim, who discovered the flaw) have pointed out that as JavaScript engines become more secure through “V8 Sandbox” technologies, attackers are increasingly shifting their focus to rendering components like CSS and HTML parsing, which were historically considered “safer” surfaces. 🛡️🏹
Last Updated on 12 hours ago by pinc