CVE-2026-113311 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Use after free in ServiceWorker 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 ServiceWorker component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory safety flaw that undermines the browser's integrity and isolation mechanisms. Use-after-free errors occur when software continues to reference a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, leading to undefined behavior such as crashes or arbitrary code execution. In this specific instance, the flaw resides in how Chrome manages the lifecycle of ServiceWorker objects, which are background scripts that enable features like offline experiences and push notifications. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page designed to trigger premature deallocation of these worker resources while references remain active, the browser may access invalid memory addresses or execute corrupted data structures.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416, Use After Free, which highlights the failure to properly manage dynamic memory allocation and deallocation cycles. The operational impact is severe because it allows a remote attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution within the Chrome sandbox environment. Although modern browsers employ robust sandboxing techniques to limit the damage of successful exploits by restricting access to system resources, bypassing these protections through precise heap manipulation can lead to full compromise of the user's session or potentially escape the sandbox entirely depending on the specific exploit chain utilized. The Chromium security severity is rated as Medium, reflecting the balance between the complexity required for exploitation and the high impact if successfully leveraged by a malicious actor hosting a crafted webpage.
From an offensive security perspective, this flaw aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and execution via browser-based vectors. Attackers typically distribute such vulnerabilities through phishing campaigns or compromised websites that automatically trigger the exploit upon page load without requiring user interaction beyond visiting the site. The exploitation process likely involves carefully crafted JavaScript payloads designed to manipulate the ServiceWorker registration and termination processes, creating a race condition where memory is freed but still referenced by internal browser structures. This allows the attacker to control heap contents and ultimately execute shellcode or other malicious binaries on the victim's machine.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching of the Google Chrome installation to version 156.0.8078.47 or later, where these memory management issues have been resolved by developers through improved reference counting and lifecycle validation checks within the ServiceWorker implementation. Organizations should enforce automated update policies for all endpoints running this browser to ensure timely application of security patches. Additionally, users can mitigate risk by disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites using content security policies or browser extensions that restrict script execution in high-risk environments. Security teams should also monitor network traffic and endpoint detection systems for indicators of compromise associated with known exploit kits targeting Chrome vulnerabilities, ensuring rapid response if any attempts are detected.