CVE-2026-118348 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2026
Improper input validation in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code inside 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 an improper input validation flaw within the Skia graphics library, which serves as the core rendering engine for Google Chrome prior to version 156.0.8078.73, represents a critical risk to browser integrity and user security. This specific defect arises from insufficient sanitization or boundary checking of data inputs processed by the Skia component when parsing complex graphical elements embedded within HTML content. When an attacker constructs a malicious webpage containing specially crafted graphics commands or image files, they can exploit this lack of validation to trigger memory corruption errors such as buffer overflows or out-of-bounds writes. Because Skia operates at a low level to handle pixel manipulation and vector rendering, these memory violations allow for the execution of arbitrary machine code within the context of the browser process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution via standard web browsing activities. A victim does not need to interact with any specific UI elements beyond simply loading or viewing a malicious webpage that hosts the exploit payload. The attacker leverages the crafted HTML page to deliver the malformed input, which Skia processes without adequate checks on data length, type, or structural integrity. This leads to a state where control flow can be hijacked, allowing the injection and execution of arbitrary instructions. Although Chrome employs sandboxing mechanisms designed to isolate renderer processes from the operating system kernel and user files, successful exploitation of this critical severity flaw allows an attacker to potentially escape these restrictions or achieve code execution within the sandboxed environment itself, which may still provide access to sensitive browser data such as cookies, session tokens, and local storage contents.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, specifically where input is not sufficiently verified before being used in operations that affect memory safety or control flow. The attack vector corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1189 Drive-by Code Compilation if the exploit involves dynamic code generation, but more accurately maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter through script execution within the browser environment, followed by potential privilege escalation techniques depending on how far the sandbox escape extends. The critical severity rating assigned by Chromium security teams reflects the high likelihood of successful exploitation given the ubiquity of web graphics rendering in modern browsers and the complexity of ensuring perfect input validation across all edge cases in a large codebase like Skia.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching to version 156.0.8078.73 or later, where Google has addressed the specific input handling deficiencies within the Skia library. For organizations unable to update immediately, network-level filtering can be employed to block access to known malicious domains hosting exploit kits that target this vulnerability. Additionally, enabling strict Content Security Policy headers and disabling JavaScript execution on untrusted sites can reduce the attack surface by preventing the delivery of crafted HTML payloads. Users should also ensure their browsers are configured to automatically download updates, as timely patching is the most effective defense against zero-day exploits targeting widely used components like Skia. Regular security audits focusing on input validation practices in graphics processing libraries remain essential for maintaining robust browser security postures.