CVE-2026-113268 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Memory corruption in Navigation in Google Chrome on on iOS 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: Low)
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a memory corruption flaw within the navigation subsystem of Google Chrome for iOS, specifically affecting versions prior to 156.0.8078.47. This defect resides in the core components responsible for handling page transitions and resource loading sequences. The issue arises from improper validation or bounds checking during the processing of complex web content structures, leading to an invalid memory state when specific navigation events are triggered by maliciously crafted HTML pages. Although classified with a low severity rating within the Chromium security framework due to mitigating factors such as sandboxing, the underlying mechanism represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow or use-after-free condition that can be exploited under precise conditions.
From a technical perspective, memory corruption vulnerabilities in browser engines are particularly dangerous because they allow attackers to manipulate the internal state of the process running untrusted web content. In this instance, an attacker could construct a specially designed HTML page containing malicious JavaScript and resource references that trigger the flawed navigation logic. When the victim user visits this page or interacts with elements within it, the browser attempts to navigate between resources but fails to correctly manage memory allocation or deallocation. This discrepancy results in writing data beyond allocated buffer boundaries or accessing freed memory regions, which can corrupt adjacent heap metadata or overwrite function pointers. Such corruption provides a pathway for arbitrary code execution if the attacker can control the content written into these corrupted memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant despite its low severity classification within Chromium's internal metrics. A successful exploitation would allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the Chrome process on an iOS device. While modern mobile browsers operate with strict sandboxing restrictions that limit access to sensitive system resources, achieving code execution inside the browser container can still lead to severe consequences. These include data exfiltration from other tabs or applications sharing similar security contexts, potential privilege escalation if additional vulnerabilities are chained together, and a complete compromise of user privacy through tracking scripts or keyloggers embedded in the malicious page. The ability to execute arbitrary code means that attackers could install persistent malware, modify browser settings, or use the device as part of a larger botnet infrastructure without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Mitigation strategies primarily rely on timely software updates and defensive coding practices. Users must immediately upgrade Google Chrome for iOS to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where this navigation-related memory corruption has been patched with improved bounds checking and safer memory management routines. For developers and security engineers analyzing similar issues in browser engines, adherence to industry standards such as CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) or CWE-416 (Use After Free) is essential for identifying root causes during code reviews. Furthermore, implementing ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) detection mechanisms can help identify post-exploitation activities resulting from such vulnerabilities. Defense-in-depth measures like enabling strict Content Security Policies, utilizing browser sandboxing features effectively, and keeping operating system components up to date provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting memory corruption flaws in web browsers.