CVE-2026-113327 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 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 Chromecast component of Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.47 represents a critical memory safety issue that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. This class 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, an attacker could craft a specialized HTML page designed to trigger the premature deallocation of a memory object while references to that same object were still active within the Chromecast interface logic. When the browser subsequently attempted to access or manipulate these dangling pointers, it would interact with freed memory regions, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution inside the sandboxed environment where Chrome typically restricts application privileges.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-416, which defines use-after-free errors as conditions resulting from improper management of dynamic memory allocation and deallocation cycles. The exploitation vector relies on precise timing and state manipulation within the browser's rendering engine or media handling subsystems associated with Chromecast functionality. By crafting an HTML page that forces a specific sequence of events leading to this race condition, an attacker can overwrite adjacent heap metadata or inject shellcode into reclaimed memory structures. This allows for control over program execution flow, effectively bypassing standard security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization and Data Execution Prevention if the exploit chain is sufficiently sophisticated. The Chromium project has classified this issue with a medium severity rating, indicating that while it requires user interaction to initiate via a crafted webpage, its potential impact on system integrity remains significant due to the sandbox escape capability inherent in successful exploitation of memory corruption bugs within privileged browser processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage or denial of service scenarios. Successful exploitation enables remote code execution with the privileges granted to the Chrome process, which may include access to local files, network configurations, and other sensitive user data stored by the browser profile. This poses a severe risk to end-users who visit maliciously constructed websites that leverage this flaw as part of a larger attack chain. The presence of such vulnerabilities in widely used components like Chromecast highlights the complexity involved in maintaining memory safety across large codebases with extensive feature sets and third-party integrations. Attackers often utilize these flaws in drive-by download attacks or targeted phishing campaigns where users are lured into visiting specific pages containing the exploit payload, thereby compromising their systems without explicit consent or further interaction beyond initial page load.
To mitigate this risk, organizations and individual users must ensure that Google Chrome is updated to version 156.0.8078.47 or later immediately upon availability. This update contains patches addressing the memory management logic within the Chromecast component, preventing the premature freeing of objects while they remain in use. Additionally, security teams should enforce strict browser update policies across all endpoints to minimize exposure windows for known vulnerabilities. Implementing application whitelisting and restricting script execution on untrusted domains can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Monitoring network traffic for unusual outbound connections following visits to suspicious web pages may also aid in detecting potential compromise events related to this vulnerability. Continuous monitoring and adherence to industry standards such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically techniques involving initial access via drive-by compromises and privilege escalation through sandbox escapes, are essential components of a robust defense strategy against memory corruption vulnerabilities like this one.