CVE-2026-113027 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Memory corruption in WebFonts in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to potentially 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 WebFonts component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 156.0.8078.47. This defect resides in the engine responsible for parsing and rendering font data embedded or referenced by web pages. The core technical issue stems from improper handling of font file structures during the loading process, which can lead to out-of-bounds memory access or heap corruption when processing maliciously crafted input. Such errors typically arise from a failure to adequately validate bounds before copying or manipulating data buffers associated with font glyphs and metrics. When an attacker constructs a specially designed HTML page that triggers this specific code path within the browser's rendering pipeline, they can exploit the resulting memory state inconsistency to gain unauthorized control over program execution flow.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-120 Buffer Overflow or CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write depending on the precise nature of the corruption observed in the Chromium codebase. The vulnerability allows for potential arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment. While modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense such as ASLR, DEP, and site isolation to mitigate exploitation, a successful exploit could allow an attacker to bypass these protections if combined with other techniques like information leaks or specific gadget chains. The Chromium security team has categorized this issue with a Low severity rating, indicating that while the vulnerability is real and exploitable in theory, practical exploitation may be difficult due to existing mitigations or the complexity required to reliably trigger the condition without crashing the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on the risk of remote code execution for users who visit maliciously crafted web pages. An attacker could host a webpage containing the exploit payload and lure victims into accessing it, typically through phishing campaigns or compromised legitimate sites. If successful, the attacker would gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the browser process. This can lead to further compromise of the user's system if sandbox escape techniques are employed subsequently. The threat is particularly relevant for high-value targets where attackers invest significant effort in developing reliable exploits against widely used software like Chrome.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, which contains the necessary patches to correct the memory handling logic within the WebFonts component. Users should ensure that automatic updates are enabled to receive security fixes promptly. For organizations managing fleets of devices, deploying this update via enterprise management tools is recommended as a priority action. Additionally, users can reduce their exposure by disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites or using browser extensions that restrict font loading from unknown origins, although these measures may impact usability. Security teams should also monitor for any emerging proof-of-concept code in the wild to assess if active exploitation attempts are occurring against this specific vulnerability class.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining secure software components that handle complex binary formats like fonts. The integration of industry standards such as ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter can help analysts understand how an initial browser compromise might be leveraged for broader system control. By addressing this vulnerability, organizations reduce their attack surface against remote exploitation attempts targeting the rendering engine. Continuous monitoring and timely patch management remain critical defenses against such memory corruption flaws that persist in complex web browsers.