CVE-2026-113025 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Input 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 as a use-after-free error within the input handling mechanisms of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management flaw that undermines the browser's integrity and isolation guarantees. This specific class of vulnerabilities occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome processes input data from web pages, specifically within components responsible for rendering or handling user interactions with HTML elements. The Chromium security team classified this issue as low severity due to the complexity required to reliably exploit it and the presence of mitigating factors such as sandboxing, but its potential impact remains significant given the widespread adoption of the browser.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities arise when memory allocated for an object is deallocated while references to that memory are still active within the application's execution flow. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specific JavaScript code or DOM manipulations, they can trigger conditions where the underlying C++ objects managing input states are freed prematurely. Subsequent operations on these dangling pointers allow the attacker to read arbitrary memory contents or overwrite adjacent heap structures. This manipulation of memory layout is particularly dangerous in modern browsers because it bypasses standard safety checks and allows for precise control over program execution flow, potentially leading to remote code execution within the browser's process space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption. Although Chrome employs a multi-process architecture with sandboxing to limit the damage an exploited page can cause, successful exploitation could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandboxed renderer process. This compromise enables actions such as stealing sensitive user data including cookies, session tokens, and browsing history stored within that context. Furthermore, if additional vulnerabilities or misconfigurations exist in the transition between processes, there is a risk of escaping the sandbox entirely to gain higher privileges on the host system. The existence of this flaw highlights the persistent challenges in maintaining memory safety in complex software systems written in languages like C++ where manual memory management is required.
Industry standards categorize this type of vulnerability under CWE-416, which defines use after free as a situation where an application uses a pointer to freed memory. This classification aligns with common patterns observed in exploit development for web browsers. In terms of offensive security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability facilitates techniques related to initial access and privilege escalation within the local environment. Attackers typically leverage such flaws during targeted campaigns or drive-by download attacks where users are lured into visiting maliciously crafted websites that trigger the memory corruption upon loading.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, which includes patches addressing this specific use-after-free condition in the input handling subsystems. Organizations should enforce automated update policies for all endpoints running the browser to ensure timely application of security fixes. Additionally, users can reduce exposure by enabling safe browsing features and avoiding interaction with untrusted web content until updates are applied. For developers contributing to Chromium-based projects, adopting memory-safe languages or utilizing tools like AddressSanitizer during testing phases helps detect such errors before they reach production builds, thereby strengthening the overall security posture against similar memory corruption attacks.