CVE-2026-113158 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Streaming 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)
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the streaming components of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management flaw that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This specific class of error occurs when the application continues to reference a block of memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this context, the streaming subsystem likely manages resources related to media playback or data streams, where dynamic allocation and deallocation are frequent operations. When an object is destroyed but pointers to its former location remain active in other parts of the code, those dangling pointers may still point to valid memory regions that have been reallocated for different purposes. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the content of these reused memory blocks to control program execution flow or access sensitive data structures within the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution via a crafted HTML page. An adversary hosting malicious web content could trigger the specific sequence of events that leads to the use-after-free condition, effectively bypassing Chrome's security sandbox. The Chromium project has classified this issue with a medium severity rating, which typically indicates that while exploitation requires some level of user interaction or specific conditions, it does not necessarily require complex pre-conditions beyond visiting a malicious site. Once exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary code within the context of the browser process, potentially leading to further system compromise if additional vulnerabilities are chained together or if sandbox escape techniques are employed. This highlights the persistent risk associated with memory safety issues in complex software systems like web browsers, where the attack surface is vast and constantly evolving.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-416, which defines use-after-free errors as accessing memory after it has been freed. Such flaws are often precursors to more critical exploits because they allow attackers to corrupt heap structures or overwrite function pointers. In the context of modern browser security, these issues are particularly dangerous because browsers operate in a sandboxed environment designed to limit the damage from web-based attacks. A successful exploitation here could provide an attacker with a foothold inside this restricted zone, potentially allowing them to read cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data stored by the browser. Furthermore, it serves as a stepping stone for privilege escalation if the attacker can leverage additional vulnerabilities to break out of the sandbox and gain control over the underlying operating system.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where these memory management issues have been addressed by developers through rigorous code reviews and automated testing tools designed to detect dangling pointer usage. For organizations managing large deployments of browsers, ensuring timely patching is essential to maintain the integrity of the security perimeter. Additionally, users should be educated on the risks of visiting untrusted websites or clicking on suspicious links that may host exploit kits targeting known vulnerabilities in web browser components. While technical controls like sandboxing provide a layer of defense, they are not impenetrable against sophisticated use-after-free exploits, making proactive software maintenance and user awareness critical components of an effective cybersecurity posture. The ATT&CK framework categorizes such exploitation techniques under initial access vectors that leverage client-side code execution, emphasizing the need for robust endpoint detection and response capabilities to identify anomalous behavior resulting from successful browser-based attacks.