CVE-2026-113202 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in BrowserTag 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)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free flaw within the BrowserTag component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management error that can be leveraged by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution within the browser's sandboxed environment. This type of defect typically arises when an application continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, often due to improper handling of object lifecycles or race conditions in asynchronous operations. In the context of Chrome’s multi-process architecture, BrowserTag likely manages metadata or state associated with browser tabs and their corresponding renderer processes. When this tag is deallocated but remains referenced by another part of the system, such as a pending callback or event handler, accessing it leads to undefined behavior that can be manipulated through carefully crafted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe because it allows for remote code execution via a simple interaction with a maliciously constructed HTML page. An attacker does not need physical access or user credentials; they merely need the victim to visit a specific URL containing exploit code embedded in an HTML document. By triggering the use-after-free condition, the attacker can overwrite adjacent memory structures or hijack control flow mechanisms such as function pointers or virtual table entries. This manipulation enables the execution of arbitrary commands within the context of the renderer process, which is typically isolated from the rest of the operating system by Chrome’s sandboxing protections. However, successful exploitation often involves chaining this initial code execution with additional techniques to escape the sandbox and gain higher privileges on the host machine, thereby compromising user data and system integrity.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-416, which describes Use After Free errors where memory is accessed after it has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited for security breaches. Furthermore, in terms of tactical mapping within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploit falls under Tactic TA0002 Execution and specifically Technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if the attacker uses scripts like JavaScript or V8 engine features to execute payloads. The initial access vector is categorized under T1189 Drive-by Compromise, where users are lured into visiting a malicious site without direct interaction beyond loading the page. These classifications highlight the sophisticated nature of modern browser exploits that target fundamental memory safety principles rather than relying on logic errors or configuration weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Google Chrome version 156.0.8078.47 or later, which includes patches designed to properly manage object lifecycles and prevent dangling pointer access within the BrowserTag component. Organizations should enforce automated update policies across all endpoints to ensure that browsers are kept current with security fixes released by vendors. Additionally, users can reduce their exposure risk by employing browser hardening techniques such as disabling JavaScript for untrusted sites or using extensions that block known malicious domains. Security teams should also monitor network traffic and endpoint detection systems for indicators of compromise associated with drive-by download attacks, ensuring rapid response to any potential exploitation attempts targeting older versions of the software.