External risk intelligence

Chromecast Integer Overflow Allows Sandbox Escape in Google Chrome

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.6)

CVE-2026-13796

The vulnerability exists within the Chromecast component of the Google Chrome browser. Exploitation requires a user to navigate to a crafted HTML page to compromise the renderer process, making it a client-side issue rather than a public-facing service or internet edge component.

Google Chrome

before 150.0.7871.46

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

An integer overflow in the Chromecast component of Google Chrome could allow an attacker to escape the browser's security sandbox by tricking a user into visiting a malicious web page. This type of vulnerability, while requiring user interaction, has the potential for significant impact if exploited.

Browser flaw could let attackers break out of security.
Consider impact if users visit malicious web pages.
Confirm if affected Chrome versions are in use.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could leverage a compromised renderer process to escape the browser's sandbox by tricking a user into visiting a malicious HTML page. This initial compromise allows the attacker to then trigger an integer overflow vulnerability within the Chromecast component, potentially leading to broader system access.

Requires renderer process compromise.
Triggered by a crafted HTML page.
Risk of sandbox escape.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

An integer overflow in the Chromecast component of Google Chrome could allow a remote attacker, who has already compromised the renderer process, to escape the sandbox by visiting a malicious HTML page. This could impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Browser sandbox escape.
Via crafted HTML page.
System compromise is possible.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Real-World Ownership

Given this is a browser-based vulnerability, the primary responsibility likely falls to teams managing end-user computing environments, such as IT desktop support or endpoint management. The first practical move is to confirm the presence of affected Chrome versions across the organization, assess user impact, and then plan for coordinated updates, potentially in coordination with platform teams if browser management is centralized.

Desktop and endpoint management teams.
Verify affected Chrome browser installations.
Plan coordinated browser updates.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Chromecast component in Google Chrome?

Chromecast in Google Chrome is a built-in feature that enables users to stream or mirror media content from their browser to other devices, such as televisions or smart speakers. It integrates directly into the browser to manage network communication with these external hardware displays.

What does an integer overflow vulnerability mean for CVE-2026-13796?

An integer overflow occurs when a program tries to store a number too large for the allocated memory space, causing the value to wrap around. In this case, that calculation error within the Chromecast component can be manipulated to confuse the software's logic, ultimately allowing an attacker to bypass the security sandbox that normally keeps the browser isolated from the rest of your computer.

How is this Chromecast vulnerability triggered?

The attack path requires two steps. First, an attacker must successfully compromise the browser's renderer process. Second, the user must navigate to a specially crafted HTML page that exploits the overflow. Simply having the browser open is not enough; the malicious code must be executed through a specific webpage interaction to trigger the defect.

Is my system at risk according to Halo Surface Signal?

The risk is categorized as 'Very unlikely' for most infrastructure because this is a client-side issue rather than a public-facing network service. Halo Surface Signal notes that since exploitation depends on a user visiting a malicious site, it is not a direct threat to your internet-facing servers or edge components.

Do I need to update my browser immediately?

Yes, you should prioritize updating Google Chrome. Since the vulnerability resides within the browser application itself, the most effective response is to ensure you are running version 150.0.7871.47 or later. Desktop and endpoint management teams should verify installations across their environment and push the update to mitigate the risk of sandbox escape.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.