CVE-2026-113013 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Memory corruption in DevTools in Google Chrome 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: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a memory corruption flaw within the DevTools component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 156.0.8078.47. This issue stems from improper handling of memory operations during the execution of scripts or rendering processes associated with developer tools functionality. Although DevTools is primarily intended for debugging and development purposes, it remains accessible in standard browser contexts under certain conditions, particularly when invoked via specific APIs or embedded within web pages through experimental features or extensions. The core technical flaw lies in how the application manages memory allocation and deallocation during complex interactions between JavaScript execution environments and native code components. This mismanagement can lead to scenarios where heap metadata is corrupted, pointers are dereferenced incorrectly, or buffer boundaries are exceeded, resulting in undefined behavior that an attacker can exploit.
From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk because it allows for arbitrary code execution within the browser sandbox environment. The Chromium sandboxing model relies on strict isolation between different process types to limit the impact of successful exploits. By achieving code execution inside the sandbox, an attacker bypasses many traditional operating system-level protections that rely on process boundaries. This capability enables the manipulation of memory structures in ways that can lead to control flow hijacking or data exfiltration without immediately escalating privileges outside the browser context. The severity is classified as low by Chromium security standards, likely due to the complexity required to reliably trigger the exploit and the presence of mitigating factors such as heap hardening techniques implemented in recent Chrome versions. However, even a low-severity vulnerability can be chained with other flaws or leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value targets where reliability is less critical than stealth or specific payload execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on the potential for remote code execution triggered by a user visiting a maliciously crafted HTML page. An attacker would need to host a webpage containing specially constructed content designed to trigger the memory corruption condition within DevTools-related processes. Upon loading, the browser's rendering engine or JavaScript V8 engine interacts with the malformed data, leading to the exploitation of the memory handling defect. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the compromised process. This can facilitate further attacks such as stealing sensitive cookies, session tokens, or local storage data associated with authenticated sites. It also opens pathways for installing malware or establishing persistent access if combined with additional exploitation techniques that escape the sandbox boundary.
Industry standards categorize this type of vulnerability under CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which describe fundamental memory safety errors common in C++ based applications like Chromium. In terms of attack tactics, this aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the exploit allows for the execution of arbitrary code within the browser environment. Furthermore, it relates to T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where a victim is tricked into visiting a malicious site that triggers the vulnerability. The exploitation vector is classified as remote with user interaction required, meaning the attacker must entice or force a target to load specific content, but no additional authentication or local access is needed initially.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where these memory handling issues have been addressed through code fixes and enhanced validation checks. Organizations should enforce automatic update policies for all endpoints running the browser to ensure timely patching of such vulnerabilities. For environments where immediate updates are not feasible, network-level controls can be employed to restrict access to untrusted web content or disable specific experimental features that expose DevTools functionality in production contexts. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions with behavioral analysis capabilities can help identify anomalous process behavior indicative of sandbox escape attempts or arbitrary code execution events stemming from browser exploits. Regular security awareness training for users regarding phishing risks remains essential as social engineering often accompanies the delivery of such crafted web pages.