CVE-2026-113262 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in Extensions 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 flaw within the Extensions component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory management error that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This specific class of defect occurs when an application continues to reference a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In the context of web browsers, extensions often operate with elevated privileges compared to standard webpage content, making them high-value targets for attackers seeking to escape the restrictive sandbox environment designed to isolate untrusted code from the underlying operating system and user data.
The technical root cause lies in the lifecycle management of extension objects within the Chromium engine. When an extension script or background page interacts with browser APIs, it may allocate memory resources that are subsequently released under certain conditions, such as when a tab is closed or an extension context is invalidated. If the application fails to nullify the pointer or update its internal state correctly after this deallocation, subsequent operations targeting the same object will access freed memory. This stale reference allows for arbitrary read and write capabilities within the process space of the browser renderer, effectively bypassing the intended isolation boundaries that protect against remote code execution attacks originating from malicious web content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a remote attacker to craft a specific HTML page containing JavaScript payloads designed to trigger the use-after-free condition through interaction with extension APIs or DOM elements managed by extensions. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the browser process. While Chromium employs multiple layers of defense such as site isolation and sandboxing, a successful exploit in this area can potentially lead to full system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities or if the sandbox restrictions are sufficiently bypassed through memory corruption techniques like heap spraying or control flow hijacking. The severity is rated as medium by the Chromium security team, reflecting the complexity required for exploitation but acknowledging the significant impact on user confidentiality and integrity should the attack succeed.
This flaw aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free errors resulting from improper memory management practices. Furthermore, in terms of tactical mapping within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability facilitates initial access and privilege escalation techniques where an attacker leverages software vulnerabilities to execute code on a target system. The exploitation vector is classified as remote via network (ATT&CK T1189), specifically targeting web applications or services that process untrusted input, in this case, the HTML content rendered by the browser engine.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where these memory management issues have been addressed through rigorous code reviews and automated fuzzing tests designed to detect dangling pointer scenarios before they reach production builds. For organizations managing large fleets of browsers, ensuring automatic update policies are enforced is critical to closing this window of exposure. Additionally, users should exercise caution when installing third-party extensions from unverified publishers, as malicious extensions could potentially be used in conjunction with such vulnerabilities or serve as a delivery mechanism for the crafted HTML payloads required to trigger the exploit. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to unusual memory allocation patterns or unexpected process behavior that might signal an active exploitation attempt targeting this specific flaw.