CVE-2026-113044 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in V8 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: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine, which powers Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47, represents a critical memory management error that allows for arbitrary code execution under specific conditions. This type of defect 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 the context of V8, this typically involves JavaScript objects or internal structures where memory is deallocated but references to those objects remain active in the execution environment. When an attacker crafts a specific HTML page containing malicious JavaScript code designed to trigger this race condition or logic error, they can manipulate the heap state to gain control over program flow. The Chromium security team has classified this issue with a High severity rating due to its potential for remote exploitation and the significant impact it has on browser integrity.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they allow an attacker to read or write arbitrary memory locations after the original allocation has been returned to the system allocator. In V8, this can lead to type confusion where the engine interprets data as one type when it is actually another, such as treating a pointer as an integer or vice versa. This misinterpretation enables the construction of primitive operations that facilitate more complex attacks, including arbitrary read and write capabilities. By leveraging these primitives, an attacker can bypass sandboxing mechanisms designed to isolate web content from the host operating system. The exploitation chain often involves crafting a payload that triggers the free operation while maintaining references to the freed memory, then reallocating new data into that same memory space with controlled contents. This allows the malicious script to overwrite critical function pointers or object headers, ultimately leading to code execution within the browser process context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe because it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code inside the sandboxed environment of Chrome. While modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense such as site isolation and hardware-enforced stack protection, a successful use-after-free exploit can still lead to full compromise of the user's system if additional exploitation techniques are employed to escape the sandbox. This means that simply visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link could result in malware installation, data theft, or further lateral movement within a networked environment. The ability to execute code remotely without user interaction beyond initial page load makes this a high-risk vector for drive-by download attacks and targeted phishing campaigns. Organizations relying on Chrome as their primary browser face significant risk from automated scanning tools that probe for known vulnerabilities in older versions of the software.
To mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, it is imperative to update Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later immediately. This patch includes fixes within the V8 engine that address the memory management logic errors responsible for the use-after-free condition. In addition to updating software, administrators should enforce strict browser policies and ensure automatic updates are enabled across all endpoints to prevent exposure during the window between vulnerability disclosure and remediation. Security teams should also monitor network traffic for indicators of compromise related to known exploitation kits that target V8 vulnerabilities. Furthermore, implementing application whitelisting and restricting script execution in untrusted zones can reduce the attack surface even if a zero-day or previously unknown flaw were present. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on web-based attacks help identify potential weaknesses before they are exploited by adversaries.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID 416, which describes Use After Free errors in software development. It also maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to initial access and execution via browser exploitation. Specifically, it falls within the category of client-side attacks where attackers leverage vulnerabilities in commonly used applications like web browsers to gain a foothold on target systems. Understanding these mappings helps security professionals prioritize remediation efforts based on industry-standard classifications and threat intelligence frameworks. By addressing this flaw promptly, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to sophisticated cyber threats that rely on memory corruption bugs for initial compromise.