CVE-2026-113046 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Improper input validation in Passwords 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 as an improper input validation flaw within the password handling mechanisms of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a significant breach in the browser's defense-in-depth strategy. This specific defect allows for potential arbitrary code execution inside the sandbox, which is a critical security boundary designed to isolate untrusted web content from the user's operating system and sensitive data. The root cause lies in how the browser processes input related to password fields or associated authentication tokens when rendered via maliciously crafted HTML pages. By failing to adequately sanitize or validate specific inputs before they are processed by internal components, an attacker can manipulate these values to trigger unintended behavior within the rendering engine or security modules that handle credential storage and retrieval.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-20: Improper Input Validation. The flaw likely stems from insufficient checks on data types, lengths, or character sets passed through password-related APIs or DOM elements. When an attacker crafts an HTML page containing specially constructed inputs, they can exploit these validation gaps to bypass security controls that are supposed to restrict the scope of actions performed by web content. This misconfiguration enables the execution of arbitrary code within the sandboxed environment where Chrome renders web pages. While the Chromium project has classified this issue with a Low severity rating, indicating it may require specific conditions or limited impact in isolation, the potential for sandbox escape remains a high-risk outcome if chained with other vulnerabilities or exploited through sophisticated attack vectors that leverage memory corruption primitives often associated with such validation errors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its location within the browser's core security architecture. If successfully exploited, an attacker could achieve arbitrary code execution inside the Chrome sandbox. Although the sandbox provides a layer of protection by restricting access to system resources, breaking out of it or executing malicious payloads within that confined space can lead to data exfiltration, session hijacking, or further lateral movement depending on how subsequent exploits are chained. The ability to execute code via a crafted HTML page means that no user interaction beyond visiting the malicious site is required for initial exploitation, making this an effective vector for drive-by download attacks and phishing campaigns targeting users who may inadvertently navigate to compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate software updates. Users must upgrade Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where the input validation logic has been corrected to properly handle edge cases in password-related inputs. For organizations managing large fleets of browsers, deploying this update via centralized management tools is essential to ensure uniform protection against exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to unusual network traffic originating from browser processes or unexpected child process spawns that could signal an active exploit attempt. Implementing strict content security policies and disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites can also reduce the attack surface by preventing the execution of malicious scripts embedded in crafted HTML pages before they reach vulnerable components.
This incident aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to initial access via drive-by compromise, specifically T1189: Drive-by Compromise, where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in software accessed through web browsing activities. The underlying weakness is categorized under CWE-20, emphasizing the critical importance of rigorous input validation across all user-facing interfaces within complex applications like modern web browsers. Continuous monitoring and prompt patching remain the most effective defenses against such flaws until more robust architectural changes are implemented to further harden sandbox boundaries and credential handling mechanisms.