CVE-2026-11201 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2026
Use after free in ServiceWorker in Google Chrome prior to 149.0.7827.53 allowed an attacker who convinced a user to install a malicious extension to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Chrome Extension. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2026
This vulnerability represents a use-after-free condition in the ServiceWorker implementation within Google Chrome browsers prior to version 149.0.7827.53. The flaw occurs when a malicious extension attempts to exploit the memory management behavior of ServiceWorker processes, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after being reallocated. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-416 use-after-free error, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically led to remote code execution exploits. When a user installs a malicious extension, the attacker can manipulate the ServiceWorker lifecycle to trigger the use-after-free condition, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it leverages the extension installation attack surface, which is a common vector for initial compromise in browser-based attacks. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly isolated components within browser architecture can create pathways for sophisticated exploitation. The medium severity rating from Chromium security team reflects the complexity required to achieve successful exploitation, which typically involves convincing a user to install a malicious extension and then carefully crafting the extension's behavior to trigger the specific memory corruption scenario. ServiceWorker processes are designed to run in the background and maintain persistent connections, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking long-term access to user systems.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1176 for Browser Extensions and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack chain begins with social engineering to convince users to install malicious extensions, followed by exploitation of the ServiceWorker memory management flaw. The use-after-free condition can be triggered through improper handling of ServiceWorker registration and termination sequences, where extension code manipulates worker lifecycle events to cause memory corruption. This vulnerability particularly affects the browser's security model as it allows extension-based attackers to bypass traditional sandboxing mechanisms that typically isolate extension behavior from the core browser process. The exploit requires careful timing and memory manipulation to ensure that freed memory is accessed after being reallocated with malicious data, making it a sophisticated but potentially dangerous vulnerability.
The recommended mitigations include immediate updating of Chrome browsers to version 149.0.7827.53 or later, where the use-after-free condition has been patched through improved memory management in ServiceWorker handling. Organizations should implement strict extension vetting procedures and consider using browser policies to restrict extension installation and permissions. The patch likely addresses the memory management issue by ensuring proper reference counting and lifecycle management of ServiceWorker objects, preventing the scenario where freed memory could be accessed after reallocation. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of installing extensions from untrusted sources, as this vulnerability requires user consent through extension installation to be exploited. Security monitoring should focus on unusual ServiceWorker behavior and extension installation patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.