CVE-2026-113240 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Chromecast 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: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the Chromecast 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 continues to reference a memory block after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this context, an attacker crafted an HTML page designed to trigger the premature deallocation of a Chromecast-related object while active references to that same object remained in use within the browser's execution flow. This discrepancy between the lifecycle management of the memory resource and its actual usage creates a window where the application may access stale pointers or corrupted data structures, effectively bypassing standard safety checks embedded within the Chromium architecture.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free scenarios resulting from improper handling of memory deallocation and subsequent reuse. The exploitation vector relies on the ability to control or predict the state of freed memory, allowing an attacker to inject malicious payloads into that reclaimed space. When the vulnerable code subsequently attempts to access this memory region, it inadvertently executes instructions contained within the injected payload rather than performing legitimate operations. This mechanism is particularly dangerous because it operates within a context where privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution are possible if the sandbox boundaries are successfully breached through precise heap manipulation techniques or by leveraging other concurrent vulnerabilities in the rendering engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as successful exploitation allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser's sandbox environment. While Chrome employs multiple layers of defense such as site isolation and hardware-based security features like Control Flow Integrity (CFI), a well-crafted use-after-free exploit can often circumvent these protections by achieving direct memory writes or control flow hijacking before defensive measures can intervene. This capability enables attackers to install malware, steal sensitive user data, establish persistent backdoors, or pivot into internal network segments if the compromised browser is used for corporate activities. The severity rating of Medium reflects the complexity required to reliably exploit this flaw in a real-world scenario, yet it remains a significant threat due to its potential for remote code execution without any user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where the underlying memory management logic has been corrected to ensure that references are properly invalidated upon deallocation and that access checks prevent interactions with freed memory regions. For organizations unable to patch immediately, implementing strict content security policies can help mitigate risks by restricting the execution of untrusted scripts and preventing the loading of potentially malicious resources from external domains. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response solutions capable of monitoring for anomalous process behavior or unexpected memory accesses may provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.
This incident underscores the importance of rigorous static analysis and fuzzing in software development lifecycles to detect memory safety issues before deployment. It also highlights the relevance of ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution, as attackers frequently leverage browser vulnerabilities like this one to gain initial access to target systems. Continuous monitoring for indicators of compromise associated with exploit kits targeting Chromium-based browsers is recommended to enhance overall security posture and reduce the window of exposure during vulnerability windows.