CVE-2026-113097 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in FileSystem 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: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the FileSystem component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management error that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user data. This flaw arises when the application continues to reference a memory block after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In the context of web browsers, such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they occur within the rendering engine or associated components that process content from remote sources, thereby exposing users to attacks initiated through standard web interactions without requiring any local installation or user privilege escalation beyond visiting a compromised website.
The technical root cause lies in improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation cycles within the FileSystem API implementation. When an object is destroyed but pointers to it remain active in other parts of the application, subsequent operations on those dangling pointers can lead to arbitrary code execution. An attacker crafts a specific HTML page that triggers this sequence by forcing the browser to free certain resources while maintaining references to them through JavaScript or internal DOM manipulations. By carefully controlling the memory layout and timing of these allocations and deallocations, the attacker can overwrite adjacent heap data with controlled values, effectively gaining control over program execution flow. This technique is a classic exploitation vector for achieving arbitrary code execution in sandboxed environments where direct system calls are restricted.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code inside the browser's sandbox environment. While modern browsers employ multiple layers of defense such as site isolation and hardware-based protections like Control Flow Integrity (CFI), breaking out of these sandboxes remains a primary goal for advanced persistent threats and automated exploit kits. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, allowing the attacker to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive information including cookies and credentials stored by the browser, or use the infected machine as part of a botnet. The severity is rated high due to the ease with which such exploits can be delivered via phishing campaigns or drive-by downloads on compromised advertising networks.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-416, Use After Free, which describes situations where software uses memory after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential security breaches. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploit technique falls under Tactic Execution and specifically relates to techniques involving client-side code execution such as Client-Side Scripting or potentially Command and Scripting Interpreter if further steps are taken post-exploitation within the sandbox. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely classifies this as a significant risk vector in web application security assessments, necessitating immediate attention from development teams responsible for maintaining browser stability and security posture.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve applying the latest software updates provided by Google Chrome developers, which include patches that correct the memory management logic within the FileSystem component. Organizations should enforce strict update policies to ensure all endpoints are running version 156.0.8078.47 or later. Additionally, implementing browser hardening techniques such as disabling unnecessary plugins and scripts can reduce the attack surface. Security awareness training for users is also crucial to prevent them from interacting with suspicious links that may host crafted HTML pages designed to trigger this vulnerability. Regular penetration testing focused on memory corruption vulnerabilities in web applications can help identify similar issues before they are exploited in the wild, ensuring a proactive defense posture against such sophisticated threats.