CVE-2026-113222 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside 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 flaw within the V8 JavaScript engine, which powers Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47, represents a critical memory management error that undermines the browser's core security model. This specific class of defect occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed and potentially reallocated for other purposes. In the context of V8, this typically involves JavaScript objects or internal engine structures where references are not properly invalidated upon deallocation. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page containing specific script sequences that trigger premature garbage collection while retaining active references to those objects, they can manipulate the memory state in ways intended only by the browser's internal logic. This discrepancy between logical object lifetime and actual memory allocation creates a window of opportunity for exploitation where the engine operates on stale or corrupted data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for arbitrary code execution outside the sandboxed environment that Chrome employs to isolate web content from the host operating system. Modern browsers rely heavily on process isolation and sandboxing techniques, such as Windows Job Objects or Linux namespaces, to limit the damage a compromised renderer process can inflict. However, use-after-free vulnerabilities in high-level components like V8 often allow attackers to achieve arbitrary read-write primitives by controlling how freed memory is reused. By carefully crafting heap layouts through repeated allocation and deallocation cycles, an attacker can place sensitive data structures adjacent to vulnerable objects. When the stale pointer accesses this newly allocated memory, it effectively bypasses sandbox boundaries, granting the malicious script direct access to system-level resources or kernel-space interfaces depending on the specific exploitation chain utilized.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which defines use after free as an error where execution continues using a pointer that points to memory that has been freed. This flaw is frequently leveraged in drive-by download attacks and web-based exploit kits targeting users who visit compromised or maliciously designed websites without any prior interaction beyond loading the page. The attack vector corresponds directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically command execution via JavaScript, but escalates significantly by breaking out of the browser sandbox to achieve higher privilege levels on the victim's machine. This transition from client-side script execution to system-level compromise is a hallmark of sophisticated zero-day exploits that target widely deployed software like Chrome due to its massive user base and frequent update cycles which may leave users vulnerable if they do not patch promptly.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate application of the vendor-provided security patches included in Google Chrome version 156.0.8078.47 or later. Organizations should enforce automated browser updates to ensure that all endpoints are protected against known memory corruption flaws within V8. Additionally, defense-in-depth measures such as enabling site isolation features can help mitigate the impact of sandbox escape attempts by ensuring that cross-origin data is not shared between different renderer processes. Security awareness training for users regarding suspicious links and untrusted web content remains relevant, although technical controls are paramount given the automated nature of modern exploit delivery mechanisms. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management workflows should prioritize browser updates to close these high-severity gaps before they can be weaponized in targeted attacks or widespread campaigns.