CVE-2026-113278 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 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 Extensions component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory safety flaw that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This type of error occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome manages memory for extension-related objects, where an object is deallocated but references to it remain accessible within certain execution contexts. This discrepancy creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate these dangling pointers and achieve arbitrary code execution capabilities inside the browser's restricted sandbox environment.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they allow an attacker to control memory layout and potentially overwrite adjacent objects or execute shellcode through heap spraying techniques. The Chromium security team has classified this issue with a medium severity rating, reflecting its potential for exploitation while acknowledging that certain mitigations may still be in place within the browser's architecture. However, given the sophisticated nature of modern exploit development, even medium-severity vulnerabilities can lead to full system compromise if not addressed promptly. The vulnerability is triggered via a crafted HTML page, which implies that simply visiting a malicious website could initiate the exploitation chain without requiring user interaction beyond loading the page itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Since the exploit allows for arbitrary code execution within the sandbox, an attacker gains significant control over the browser's runtime environment. This can lead to further privilege escalation if additional vulnerabilities are chained together, potentially resulting in full system compromise. The presence of such a flaw highlights the complexity involved in maintaining memory safety in large-scale software projects like Chromium, where numerous components interact dynamically and asynchronously. Extensions, being third-party add-ons with varying levels of code quality and security auditing, present an expanded attack surface that requires rigorous validation and safe memory management practices.
To mitigate this risk, users are strongly advised to update Google Chrome immediately to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where the underlying memory handling logic has been corrected to prevent dangling pointer access after deallocation. Security teams should also ensure that browser auto-update mechanisms are enabled and functioning correctly across all endpoints within their networks. Additionally, implementing strict content security policies and restricting extension permissions can reduce the blast radius in case of future vulnerabilities. Monitoring for unusual network activity or process behavior originating from Chrome processes may help detect active exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use after free errors as a common cause of software instability and security breaches. Furthermore, it relates to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically the execution phase where attackers leverage vulnerabilities in applications to run malicious code. Understanding these mappings helps organizations prioritize remediation efforts based on established industry standards for vulnerability classification and threat modeling. Continuous monitoring and timely patching remain essential defenses against such memory corruption exploits that target widely deployed software components like web browsers.