CVE-2026-110162 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Use after free in Desktop in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.79 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free flaw within the Desktop component of Google Chrome prior to version 155.0.8059.79 represents a critical memory management error that compromises the integrity of the browser's execution environment. This specific class of vulnerabilities occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome handles resources associated with desktop integration features, where memory allocated for an object is released but references to that object remain active within the application's state. When a crafted HTML page triggers the deallocation of these resources while other parts of the browser still attempt to access them, it results in the use of stale pointers pointing to potentially reused or invalid memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution inside the sandbox. Google Chrome employs a multi-process architecture with strict sandboxes designed to isolate untrusted content from sensitive system resources and user data. However, if an attacker can exploit a use-after-free condition within a privileged process or bypass the sandbox boundaries through memory corruption techniques such as heap spraying or arbitrary write primitives, they may achieve code execution outside these protective confines. The Chromium security severity rating of High underscores the likelihood that this flaw could be leveraged in real-world attacks to install malware, steal credentials, or compromise the underlying operating system without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-416, which defines use after free as a condition where software uses memory that has already been freed. This often leads to crashes but can also result in arbitrary code execution if the attacker controls the content of the reallocated memory or manipulates heap metadata. The attack vector is classified under MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client-side execution, specifically targeting web browsers via crafted HTML pages that exploit rendering engine flaws. The presence of such a flaw indicates gaps in Chrome's internal reference counting mechanisms or lifecycle management for desktop-related objects, allowing an attacker to trigger the race condition necessary to corrupt memory structures and redirect control flow.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 155.0.8059.79 or later, where these memory safety issues have been addressed through rigorous code reviews and automated fuzzing tests that detect dangling pointer scenarios before deployment. For organizations unable to patch immediately, implementing strict content security policies can help mitigate the risk by restricting the types of scripts and resources allowed to execute within browser contexts. Additionally, enabling sandbox enforcement features such as site isolation ensures that even if an exploit is attempted, its impact remains contained within a low-privilege process, reducing the likelihood of full system compromise until the software update can be applied across all endpoints.