CVE-2026-106382 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
Use after free in Chromecast 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 • 10/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free flaw within the Chromecast component of Google Chrome prior to version 155.0.8059.39 represents a critical memory safety issue that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This type 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 malicious actors. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in the handling of resources associated with Chromecast functionality, which allows for remote code execution outside the security sandbox when triggered via a crafted HTML page. The severity is classified as critical due to the potential for full system compromise without user interaction beyond visiting the malicious webpage.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities are among the most dangerous classes of memory corruption bugs because they can often be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution with high reliability. When an object is deallocated but references to it remain in active data structures or variables, subsequent operations on those stale pointers may access freed heap memory. An attacker crafting a malicious HTML page could manipulate these dangling pointers to control the content of the freed memory region. By carefully constructing heap layouts and triggering specific allocation patterns, the attacker can overwrite function pointers or object vtables, thereby redirecting program execution flow to shellcode injected into the process memory space. This bypasses standard browser protections such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), which rely on strict isolation between data and code segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly for users who frequently utilize Chromecast features within their browsing sessions. A successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This includes the ability to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data such as cookies and credentials stored in browser profiles, or use the compromised machine as part of a botnet. The fact that this vulnerability exists within the Chromecast component highlights the risks associated with integrating complex third-party functionalities into core browser architectures, where bugs can have cascading effects on overall security posture.
Industry standards categorize this flaw under CWE-416, which defines use after free errors as a subset of improper memory management issues. The exploitation technique aligns with MITRE ATT&CK tactics related to initial access and privilege escalation, specifically leveraging client-side code execution techniques found in the Client Side Attacks matrix. To mitigate such risks, organizations should ensure that all instances of Google Chrome are updated immediately to version 155.0.8059.39 or later, where this memory management error has been corrected by properly nullifying pointers after deallocation and enforcing stricter lifecycle checks on Chromecast-related objects. Additionally, deploying browser hardening policies such as disabling unnecessary extensions and restricting script execution in untrusted domains can reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters attempting to trigger these conditions through crafted web content.