CVE-2026-11177 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2026
Use after free in Omnibox in Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.53 allowed a remote attacker who convinced a user to engage in specific UI gestures to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a use-after-free condition within the Omnibox component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 149.0.7827.53. This type of memory safety issue occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation. The Omnibox component serves as the primary user interface element for URL input and address bar functionality, making it a critical surface area for potential attacks. The vulnerability is classified as a medium severity issue by Chromium security standards, indicating a moderate risk level that requires prompt attention.
The technical flaw manifests in how the Omnibox handles memory management during specific user interactions and page rendering scenarios. When a user engages in particular UI gestures while navigating through web content, the system may attempt to access memory locations that have already been deallocated. This memory corruption vulnerability arises from improper handling of object lifetimes within the browser's rendering engine, specifically affecting the address bar's interaction with dynamically generated content. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through crafted HTML pages that manipulate the browser's internal state during user interaction sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables remote code execution capabilities when successfully exploited. An attacker who can convince a user to visit a malicious webpage and perform specific UI gestures could potentially gain control over the browser process. The attack vector requires user interaction, making it less likely to be exploited automatically but still poses significant risk in targeted campaigns. The heap corruption resulting from the use-after-free condition could allow attackers to overwrite critical memory structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to the patched version of Google Chrome 149.0.7827.53 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Browser vendors should implement additional safeguards such as address space layout randomization and heap metadata protection to reduce exploit reliability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in memory management, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution through browser-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing browser hardening measures including sandboxing, content security policies, and user behavior monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability in their patch management schedules due to its medium severity classification and potential for remote exploitation through user interaction.