CVE-2026-113181 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Navigation 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 condition within the Navigation component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management flaw that compromises the integrity of the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This specific class of error occurs when the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, typically because a pointer remains valid in code logic even though the underlying resource it references has been deallocated by the system or another part of the program. In the context of Chromium-based browsers, navigation involves complex state transitions and object lifecycles where DOM elements, frame objects, and security contexts are dynamically created and destroyed as users browse web pages. When a use-after-free condition is triggered during these operations, it can lead to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized control over the browser process memory layout.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution inside the sandbox, which is a significant escalation of risk compared to standard cross-site scripting or content injection attacks. The Chromium security model relies heavily on isolating renderer processes from the main browser process and the underlying operating system through strict sandboxing policies. By crafting an HTML page that triggers specific navigation events leading to premature memory deallocation followed by subsequent access, an attacker can manipulate heap metadata or overwrite critical function pointers. This manipulation enables the execution of arbitrary machine code within the restricted environment of a renderer process. While the sandbox provides layers of defense such as job objects on Windows and seccomp-bpf filters on Linux, successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows the malicious payload to bypass these restrictions by leveraging kernel vulnerabilities or other side-channel techniques that become accessible once control over the memory space is established.
The operational impact of this flaw is severe, particularly given its potential for remote code execution via a simple web page visit. An attacker does not need physical access to the victim's machine nor do they require social engineering beyond convincing the user to load a malicious URL or visiting a compromised website that hosts the crafted HTML payload. Once executed, the arbitrary code runs with the privileges of the browser process, which can lead to full system compromise depending on the sandbox configuration and operating system version. This includes the ability to install persistent malware, exfiltrate sensitive data such as cookies, passwords, and session tokens stored in memory or disk by the browser, and pivot into internal network resources if the user has access to them. The high severity rating assigned by Chromium reflects the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of maintaining sandbox boundaries against sophisticated threat actors who actively seek out zero-day vulnerabilities for supply chain attacks or targeted espionage campaigns.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate software updates to ensure that all instances of Google Chrome are upgraded to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where the memory management logic in the Navigation component has been corrected to prevent premature deallocation and enforce proper pointer validation. For organizations unable to patch immediately due to compatibility concerns, implementing strict content security policies can help mitigate some risks by restricting the types of scripts that can execute within iframes and frames involved in navigation events. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions with behavioral analysis capabilities may detect anomalous memory access patterns or suspicious process injections associated with exploitation attempts. It is also advisable to disable JavaScript execution for untrusted sites where possible through browser extensions or group policy settings, although this significantly impacts usability. Long-term remediation should include adopting automated vulnerability management systems that prioritize patches based on exploitability metrics and ensuring that browsers are configured to auto-update by default to reduce the window of exposure to such high-severity flaws.