CVE-2026-113028 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Media 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: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the media subsystem of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory safety flaw that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This type of error occurs when an application continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome handles media resources, which are often processed through complex pipelines involving multiple components such as decoders, buffers, and renderers. When an attacker crafts a specifically designed HTML page containing malicious JavaScript or embedded media elements, they can trigger a sequence of events that causes the browser to release memory associated with these media objects prematurely while references to those same objects remain active in other parts of the application logic.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-416, which classifies use-after-free errors as one of the most dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities due to their potential for arbitrary code execution. The exploitation process typically involves an attacker controlling the contents of the freed memory region through heap spraying techniques or by allocating new objects that occupy the same memory space previously held by the media resource. By carefully crafting these allocations, the attacker can manipulate function pointers or object vtables within the browser's internal structures. When the application subsequently attempts to interact with the stale pointer, it inadvertently executes code controlled by the attacker rather than performing legitimate operations. This mechanism allows for precise control over program flow, which is a prerequisite for achieving arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe because it facilitates remote code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment. Although Chrome employs robust security measures such as site isolation and process separation to limit the damage caused by exploits, successfully exploiting a use-after-free in the media component can allow an attacker to escape these restrictions or at least execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges relative to other tabs or processes. An attack vector involving a crafted HTML page means that no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website is required, making this a high-risk threat for users browsing untrusted content. The Chromium security severity rating of Medium reflects the complexity involved in reliably exploiting the flaw and the presence of mitigations like heap randomization and ASLR, but it does not diminish the potential consequence if the exploit chain is successfully completed.
This incident highlights the importance of rigorous memory management practices in complex software systems like web browsers. The vulnerability can be mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and execution, specifically those involving browser-based attacks where malicious content triggers code execution on the victim's machine. To mitigate such risks, developers must ensure that all pointers are nullified immediately after memory deallocation and implement strict lifecycle management for media objects to prevent dangling references. Users should maintain their browsers up to date with the latest patches, as version 156.0.8078.47 includes fixes for this specific issue. Additionally, employing browser security extensions that restrict script execution or block unknown content can provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities in media handling subsystems.