CVE-2026-110171 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2026
Use after free in Media 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 • 10/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free error within the media subsystem of Google Chrome prior to version 155.0.8059.79 represents a critical memory management flaw that compromises the integrity of the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This type of defect occurs when an application 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 vulnerability resides in the media handling components responsible for processing multimedia content such as audio and video streams. The Chromium security team classified this issue with high severity due to its potential impact on system stability and security posture, highlighting the critical nature of memory safety in complex web browsers that process untrusted input from remote sources.
The technical root cause involves a failure to properly manage object lifecycles within the media pipeline. When processing crafted HTML pages containing maliciously constructed multimedia elements or scripts interacting with these elements, the browser fails to invalidate references to objects before their underlying memory is deallocated. This creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate the state of freed memory through heap spraying techniques or other exploitation methods. By carefully crafting the input data, specifically within HTML structures that trigger media playback or processing routines, an attacker can cause the application to access and execute code located in previously released memory regions. This effectively bypasses standard safety checks because the browser attempts to operate on stale pointers that may now point to attacker-controlled data rather than valid program objects.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows for arbitrary code execution within the sandboxed environment of Chrome. While modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense including DEP, ASLR, and site isolation, a successful use-after-free exploit can often lead to sandbox escape or direct execution of malicious payloads depending on the specific memory layout and browser version specifics. An attacker hosting a compromised website could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine without user interaction beyond visiting the page. This capability undermines the fundamental security model of web browsing, where users expect isolation between different sites and protection from remote code execution attacks initiated through standard web technologies like JavaScript and HTML5 media APIs.
From an industry standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use after free as a condition resulting in unexpected behavior due to the reuse of memory that has been freed. The exploitation technique likely leverages ATT&CK Tactic TA0002 Execution, specifically techniques related to command and script interpretation or binary window execution if sandbox escape is achieved. Furthermore, it relates to CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, as the core issue stems from improper handling of memory boundaries during object lifecycle management. Understanding these classifications helps in mapping the vulnerability to broader security frameworks and ensures that remediation efforts address not just the immediate code defect but also the underlying architectural weaknesses in resource management.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 155.0.8059.79 or later, where the memory management logic for media components has been corrected to ensure pointers are nullified after deallocation and that access checks are performed before any operation on potentially stale references. For organizations unable to update immediately due to compatibility constraints, implementing network-level filtering rules to block traffic from known malicious domains hosting exploit kits can provide a temporary layer of defense. Additionally, enabling Chrome's built-in sandboxing features fully and ensuring that site isolation policies are strictly enforced can reduce the attack surface by limiting the potential impact if an exploitation attempt is successful. Regular patch management cycles and monitoring for new security advisories related to browser vulnerabilities remain essential practices for maintaining robust endpoint security in enterprise environments.