Google fixes Chrome zero-day with in-the-wild exploit (CVE-2026-5281)

Heap buffer overflow in WebGL in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.165 allowed a remote attacker to perform an out of bounds memory read via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

CVE-2026-5281 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Dawn, the WebGPU implementation in Google Chrome, that Google patched in Chrome 146.0.7680.178. It is triggered when a remote attacker serves a crafted HTML page and can leverage it after having already compromised the Chrome renderer process, escalating to arbitrary code execution beyond the initial foothold. Because the flaw requires a compromised renderer as a starting point, it is typically chained with another bug (such as a renderer-exploiting issue) to break out to arbitrary code execution with real impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Any user or organization running Google Chrome on a version prior to 146.0.7680.178 is affected. The flaw is confirmed as exploited in the wild: CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-01, and its EPSS score of 4.9% (92nd percentile) indicates a meaningful near-term exploitation probability.

Do: Update Google Chrome to 146.0.7680.178 or later on all endpoints immediately, prioritizing internet-facing and high-risk user populations given the KEV listing. Because the bug requires a compromised renderer, treat it as part of a chained attack and ensure other browser-layer defenses (renderer sandbox enabled, prompt patching of related renderer bugs) are in place; federal agencies must follow BOD 22-01 remediation timelines or discontinue use if patching is unavailable.

Use after free in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.178 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)