CVE-2026-118306 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Memory corruption in FileSystem in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9704 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the FileSystem component of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 156.0.8078.73. This defect arises from improper handling of memory operations during file system interactions, which can lead to conditions such as use-after-free or buffer overflow scenarios. The severity is classified as Critical by the Chromium security team due to its potential for remote code execution with elevated privileges outside the browser's sandbox environment. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they bypass the standard isolation mechanisms designed to contain malicious activity within a restricted context, thereby granting attackers direct access to underlying system resources.
From a technical perspective, memory corruption issues in web browsers often stem from complex interactions between JavaScript engines and native code components like FileSystem APIs. When an attacker crafts a specific HTML page containing malformed or specially constructed inputs targeting these APIs, the browser may allocate memory incorrectly or fail to properly manage references after deallocation. This allows for arbitrary read and write operations within the process memory space. The exploitation of this flaw enables a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim's machine by leveraging the corrupted state to overwrite function pointers or return addresses, effectively hijacking control flow during execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it facilitates unauthorized access to sensitive data and complete compromise of the affected system. An adversary can use this exploit chain to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate confidential information such as credentials or financial records, or pivot further into internal networks if the compromised machine serves as a gateway. The ability to execute code outside the sandbox significantly amplifies the risk profile, moving beyond typical cross-site scripting or data theft scenarios to full system takeover capabilities. This aligns with common attack patterns observed in advanced persistent threat campaigns where initial access is gained through browser-based exploits leading to deeper infrastructure penetration.
In terms of industry standards and frameworks, this vulnerability maps closely to CWE-120 Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input and potentially CWE-416 Use After Free, depending on the specific memory management failure involved. Within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, exploitation techniques associated with such flaws often fall under Tactic 3: Persistence or Tactic 5: Defense Evasion, specifically leveraging browser vulnerabilities to bypass security controls like sandboxing (T1059). The attack vector is classified as Remote via Network, indicating that no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage is required for initial compromise.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching of the Google Chrome installation to version 156.0.8078.73 or later, which contains fixes addressing these memory management errors in the FileSystem component. Organizations should enforce automated update policies across all endpoints running affected browser versions to minimize exposure windows. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and strict content security policies can help mitigate potential exploitation attempts by restricting script execution from untrusted sources. Security teams are advised to monitor for indicators of compromise related to memory corruption exploits, such as unusual process behavior or unexpected network connections originating from the Chrome binary, while maintaining vigilance against social engineering tactics that might lure users into visiting malicious sites designed to trigger this specific vulnerability.