CVE-2026-106197 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Use after free in Browser in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the browser engine of Google Chrome prior to version 155.0.8059.39 represents a critical memory management flaw that undermines the fundamental isolation mechanisms designed to protect users from malicious content. This specific class of error occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by an attacker. In the context of modern web browsers, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they reside within components responsible for parsing and rendering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are inherently exposed to untrusted input from remote websites. The Chromium security team classified this issue with a critical severity rating due to its potential impact on system integrity and user safety.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in improper handling of object lifecycles within the browser's rendering pipeline or DOM manipulation logic. When an attacker crafts a specific HTML page containing malicious scripts or malformed elements, they can trigger conditions where memory is deallocated while references to that memory remain active. By carefully controlling the timing and content of these interactions, the attacker can manipulate the freed memory region before it is reallocated for other purposes. This allows them to inject controlled data into what was previously valid memory space, effectively hijacking control flow or corrupting internal browser structures. The sophistication required to exploit this flaw involves precise heap grooming techniques to ensure that the reused memory contains the desired payload rather than random garbage data.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this vulnerability is severe, as it enables arbitrary code execution outside the sandbox environment. Modern browsers rely heavily on sandboxing to limit the damage a compromised web page can cause by restricting access to system resources and sensitive files. However, when an attacker achieves out-of-bounds write or control flow hijacking through use-after-free exploitation, they can escape these restrictions. This means that code executed via this vulnerability runs with the privileges of the browser process itself, potentially allowing full compromise of the user's operating system. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely implies that a simple visit to a malicious website could lead to complete system takeover without any further interaction from the victim, such as clicking additional links or downloading files.
This incident aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free errors resulting in security implications. Furthermore, within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploitation technique falls under techniques associated with initial access and privilege escalation, specifically leveraging vulnerabilities in client software to gain a foothold on the target system. The attack vector is classified as remote via network, indicating that no local access or physical presence is required for an adversary to initiate the exploit. This highlights the persistent threat posed by web-based attacks targeting widely used applications like Chrome, where millions of users may be exposed simply by browsing normal internet traffic if their software remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on timely patching and proactive security measures. Users must update Google Chrome to version 155.0.8059.39 or later immediately upon availability, as this release contains the necessary code fixes that enforce proper memory management protocols and prevent the dangling pointer dereference. Organizations should implement automated deployment solutions to ensure all endpoints are updated promptly across their infrastructure. Additionally, enabling sandboxing features where possible and utilizing browser extensions that block known malicious scripts can provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to unusual network activity or process behavior indicative of post-exploitation stages following such a vulnerability exploit.