Detect CVE-2026-5281 — Google Dawn Use-After-Free Exploitation in CrowdStrike LogScale
Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-5281, a use-after-free vulnerability in Google Dawn (the WebGPU implementation used by Chrome). Exploitation may result in renderer compromise, sandbox escape, or arbitrary code execution via a malicious web page. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
MITRE ATT&CK
LogScale Detection Query
#event_simpleName=ProcessRollup2
| ImageFileName = /(?i)\\chrome\.exe$/
| CommandLine = /(?i)(--renderer|--gpu-process|--utility)/
| join (
#event_simpleName in ("MemoryProtectionFaultEvent", "ExploitDetected", "InjectionCreateRemoteThread", "SuspiciousKernelApiCall")
| ImageFileName = /(?i)\\chrome\.exe$/
| table TargetProcessId, event_simpleName, ContextTimeStamp
) where [ProcessId] = [TargetProcessId] within 300s
| eval ExploitRisk = "CVE-2026-5281 Dawn UAF — Chrome renderer exploit suspected"
| table _time, ComputerName, UserName, CommandLine, event_simpleName, ExploitRisk
| sort _time descCrowdStrike Falcon Hunting query correlating Chrome renderer/GPU subprocess process events with memory exploitation indicators (memory faults, injection, suspicious kernel calls) to detect CVE-2026-5281 exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- CrowdStrike sensor itself may instrument Chrome and appear in join results
- Third-party password managers with browser extensions that hook renderer processes
- Enterprise Chrome managed browser profiles with heavy extension usage
Other platforms for CVE-2026-5281
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate Chrome Renderer Spawning Unexpected Child Process (Post-Exploitation Proxy)
Expected signal: EDR process tree shows cmd.exe spawned as child of chrome.exe with --renderer flag; ProcessRollup2 event with atypical ChildFileName
- Test 2Trigger Chrome WebGPU Memory Fault via Malformed Shader (Lab)
Expected signal: Chrome crash report written to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Crashpad\reports\; GPU process exit event in Windows Application log
- Test 3Detect Outdated Chrome Version via Endpoint Inventory Query
Expected signal: PowerShell script block logging (Event ID 4104) records version enumeration; file access telemetry on chrome.exe from EDR
- Test 4Simulate CFG Violation in Chrome GPU Process (Windows CFG Test)
Expected signal: Windows Defender ATP generates ExploitGuardControlFlowGuardViolated event for chrome.exe; CFG violation logged in Windows Security event log
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-5281 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.