CVE-2026-118330 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Use after free in Browser in Google Chrome on on Windows prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical use-after-free flaw within the browser engine of Google Chrome, specifically affecting versions prior to 156.0.8078.73 on Windows operating systems. This type of memory corruption error arises when an application continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed and potentially reallocated for other purposes. In the context of web browsers, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered by maliciously crafted HTML pages served from remote servers. The attacker's ability to induce this state allows them to manipulate how the browser interprets data in memory, leading to arbitrary code execution within the restricted sandbox environment that Chrome employs to isolate untrusted content from the host system.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities typically occur when an object is deallocated but references to it remain active due to improper lifecycle management or race conditions. When the browser processes a crafted HTML page containing specific JavaScript constructs or DOM manipulations designed to exploit this timing gap, it may access freed memory that has since been repurposed by another process or thread. By carefully controlling the contents of this reallocated memory block, an attacker can achieve arbitrary read and write primitives. These primitives are essential for bypassing modern security mitigations such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), ultimately allowing the execution of shellcode that runs with the privileges of the browser process itself.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, classified under Chromium's High severity rating due to its potential for remote code execution without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. Although Chrome utilizes sandboxing to limit the damage caused by such exploits, successful exploitation can still lead to significant compromise. The attacker may gain access to sensitive data stored within the browser profile, including cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history. Furthermore, depending on the specific implementation details of the exploit chain, it might be possible to escape the sandbox entirely, thereby gaining control over the underlying operating system. This transforms a simple web-based attack into a full-scale system compromise, enabling further lateral movement within a network or installation of persistent malware such as keyloggers and ransomware.
This incident aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifier CWE-416, which defines use-after-free errors where references to memory are used after it has been freed. It also maps closely to the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1203, specifically the sub-technique of Exploitation for Client Execution, as well as potential privilege escalation paths if sandbox escape is achieved. Security researchers and developers emphasize that such vulnerabilities highlight the complexity of managing memory safety in complex software like web browsers, where dynamic content loading and rapid object creation are fundamental to functionality but introduce significant attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching by updating Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.73 or later on all Windows endpoints. Organizations should enforce automated update policies to ensure that the browser remains current with security fixes, as zero-day exploits targeting known vulnerabilities are frequently weaponized in the wild. Additionally, users can reduce risk by employing additional layers of defense such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous memory access patterns or suspicious process behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Enabling sandboxing features strictly and disabling unnecessary browser plugins further reduces the attack surface available to adversaries attempting to leverage this flaw through crafted web content.