CVE-2026-113011 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in CredentialProvider in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9359 represents a critical memory management flaw within the CredentialProvider component of Google Chrome on Windows systems prior to version 156.0.8078.47. This issue is classified as an use-after-free error, which occurs when software continues to use a pointer after it has been freed from its allocated memory block. In the context of Chromium-based browsers, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can allow attackers to manipulate heap structures or overwrite adjacent objects in memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The specific location within CredentialProvider suggests that the vulnerability is tied to how credentials and authentication tokens are handled during user interactions with web pages requesting sensitive information.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities arise when an object is deallocated but references to it remain active. If an attacker can control the data written into the freed memory region before the dangling pointer is accessed again, they may achieve arbitrary read or write capabilities. In this specific instance, the flaw allows for code execution inside the browser sandbox. While Chrome employs a robust multi-process architecture with strict sandboxes to limit the impact of exploits, bypassing these restrictions remains a primary goal for advanced persistent threats and exploit developers. The ability to execute arbitrary code within the sandbox context significantly escalates the severity of the vulnerability, as it can lead to full system compromise if further exploitation techniques are applied to escape the sandbox environment entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial due to its remote nature. An attacker does not need physical access or prior authentication on the target machine; instead, they merely need to lure a user into visiting a specially crafted HTML page. This social engineering vector makes it feasible for widespread attacks via phishing campaigns, malicious advertisements, or compromised legitimate websites. Once triggered, the exploit can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user running Chrome. Depending on the system configuration and additional vulnerabilities present, this could result in data theft, installation of malware, ransomware deployment, or use of the machine as part of a botnet. The medium severity rating assigned by Chromium reflects that while exploitation is possible, it may require specific conditions or follow-up steps to achieve full control beyond the sandbox boundary.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, immediate action should be taken to update Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later on all Windows endpoints. This patch includes fixes for the memory management logic in CredentialProvider that prevent the use of freed pointers. Organizations should enforce automated browser updates where possible to ensure timely protection against such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and restricting script execution capabilities can reduce the attack surface presented by crafted HTML pages. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to credential harvesting or unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID 416, which describes use after free conditions. It is also relevant to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques involving client-side code execution and potentially privilege escalation if sandbox escape methods are combined with this initial foothold. Understanding these mappings helps in categorizing the threat within broader security operations centers (SOC) workflows for detection and response prioritization. By addressing the root cause through software updates and reinforcing defense-in-depth strategies, organizations can effectively neutralize the threat posed by such memory corruption vulnerabilities in widely used web browsers.