CVE-2026-121214 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Use after free in Passwords in Google Chrome prior to 157.0.8103.38 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free error within the Passwords component of Google Chrome prior to version 157.0.8103.38 represents a critical memory management flaw that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user credentials while simultaneously posing a severe risk for arbitrary code execution. This specific class of defect occurs when the application continues to use pointers or references to memory blocks after they have been freed, leading to undefined behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. In this context, the Passwords subsystem manages sensitive authentication data stored locally within the browser profile, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges beyond the restricted sandbox environment typical of modern web browsers.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities arise when an object is deallocated but remains accessible through dangling pointers. When Chrome processes certain operations related to password storage or retrieval, if the memory management logic fails to nullify these references or properly synchronize access during asynchronous events, an attacker can manipulate the state of the freed memory. By crafting a specific HTML page that triggers this race condition or improper cleanup sequence, an adversary can overwrite the freed memory with controlled data structures. This manipulation allows for arbitrary read and write operations within the browser process space, effectively bypassing the sandbox protections designed to isolate web content from the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage. An attacker could exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine with the privileges of the browser process. This capability enables a wide range of subsequent attacks, including data exfiltration, installation of persistent malware, or pivoting into internal networks if the compromised device is part of a larger infrastructure. The classification by Chromium as High severity underscores the significant risk posed to end-users and organizations relying on Chrome for secure web browsing and credential management.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free scenarios where memory is accessed after it has been returned to the system allocator. Furthermore, in terms of offensive security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this exploit technique relates to techniques involving exploitation for privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically leveraging memory corruption to bypass sandbox boundaries. The ability to execute code outside the sandbox directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability pillars of information security by allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate patching to version 157.0.8103.38 or later, where Google has addressed the memory management logic within the Passwords component to ensure proper lifecycle handling of allocated objects. Organizations should enforce automated update policies for all Chrome installations across their endpoints to minimize exposure windows. Additionally, security teams can implement application control solutions that restrict the execution of unsigned scripts and limit browser capabilities in untrusted environments. Monitoring network traffic for anomalous behavior following visits to suspicious sites may also help detect exploitation attempts before full compromise occurs, although prevention through patching remains the most effective defense against this type of memory corruption vulnerability.