CVE-2026-110168 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Use after free in V8 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)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine, which powers 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 the memory it points to has been freed or reallocated. In the context of V8, this typically involves JavaScript objects being garbage collected while still referenced by active code paths or internal structures within the engine. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page that triggers this condition, they can manipulate the contents of the reclaimed memory region before it is reused for other purposes. This manipulation allows the attacker to control critical data structures such as function pointers or object headers, effectively hijacking the execution flow of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution within a sandboxed environment. Modern browsers employ multiple layers of security isolation, including site isolation and hardware-enforced stack protection, to limit the damage caused by exploits. However, use-after-free vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they often allow attackers to achieve arbitrary read and write primitives. By carefully crafting heap layouts and exploiting timing windows between memory deallocation and reallocation, an attacker can overwrite function pointers or virtual table entries in a way that redirects execution to shellcode injected into the page. This bypasses many of the standard mitigations like Data Execution Prevention because the exploit leverages legitimate executable code within the browser process itself, often through techniques known as return-oriented programming or direct ROP chain construction.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use after free errors where memory is accessed after it has been freed. The exploitation technique falls under MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1059, specifically Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the attacker utilizes JavaScript to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the browser process. Furthermore, if the exploit successfully escapes the renderer sandbox to gain access to higher-privilege processes or system resources, it would also map to techniques associated with privilege escalation and defense evasion, such as T1055 or T1620 depending on the specific payload delivery method. The Chromium security team has classified this issue with a High severity rating, reflecting its potential for widespread impact across users who visit maliciously crafted web pages without any additional interaction required beyond loading the page content.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on timely software updates to apply patches that address memory management logic errors within V8. Users should ensure their browsers are updated to version 155.0.8059.79 or later, where these specific heap corruption issues have been resolved through improved reference counting mechanisms and stricter checks during garbage collection cycles. For organizations managing large fleets of devices, automated patch management systems should be configured to prioritize browser updates due to the high prevalence of web-based attack vectors targeting this component. Additionally, enabling sandboxing features such as Chrome's Site Isolation ensures that even if an exploit succeeds in executing code within a renderer process, it cannot easily access sensitive data from other sites or escape to the host operating system. Security awareness training should also emphasize caution when visiting untrusted websites, although technical controls remain the primary defense against automated drive-by download attacks leveraging such vulnerabilities.