CVE-2026-121256 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2026
Use of released resource in GPU in Google Chrome prior to 157.0.8103.38 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9576 represents a critical failure in resource management within the Google Chrome browser engine, specifically affecting versions prior to 157.0.8103.38. This flaw is categorized under the Use of Released Resource (CWE-416) defect class, which occurs when software continues to use memory or resources after they have been freed or released. In this specific instance, the vulnerability resides in the Graphics Processing Unit subsystem handling logic within Chromium's rendering pipeline. The core technical issue involves a race condition or improper state management where a GPU resource is accessed by the renderer process after it has already been deallocated or returned to the system pool. This creates an invalid memory access scenario that can lead to undefined behavior, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution if the freed memory region is reallocated and populated with attacker-controlled data before being accessed again.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential to bypass Chrome's robust sandboxing architecture. Google Chrome employs a multi-process architecture where renderer processes are heavily restricted to prevent malicious content from affecting the rest of the system or accessing sensitive user data. However, if an attacker can exploit this use-after-free condition within the GPU subsystem, they may achieve arbitrary code execution outside the confines of the renderer process sandbox. This escalation allows a remote attacker who has successfully compromised a renderer process through other means, such as by tricking a user into visiting a crafted HTML page containing malicious JavaScript or WebGL shaders, to execute commands with higher privileges than intended. The severity is rated as Medium because while it requires an initial compromise of the renderer, the ability to escape that sandbox poses a substantial risk to system integrity and data confidentiality.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically when leveraged for post-exploitation activities following successful code execution. It also relates to MITRE CWE-416 Use of Released Resource, highlighting the importance of proper memory lifecycle management in complex software systems like web browsers. The attack vector is primarily remote via a crafted HTML page, which necessitates social engineering or drive-by download tactics to initiate the exploit chain. Once executed, the attacker gains a foothold that can be further leveraged for lateral movement within the user's environment or exfiltration of sensitive information stored in browser profiles and cookies.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve immediate software updates. Users must upgrade Google Chrome to version 157.0.8103.38 or later, where this resource management flaw has been corrected by ensuring that GPU resources are properly tracked and not accessed after release. For organizations managing large fleets of devices, automated patch deployment systems should be configured to prioritize browser updates due to the high prevalence of Chrome in enterprise environments. Additionally, security teams can implement application control policies to restrict the execution of unsigned scripts or untrusted content within browsers where possible, although this is often impractical for general web browsing. Monitoring network traffic for unusual outbound connections from renderer processes may also help detect exploitation attempts in real-time, providing an additional layer of defense-in-depth while patching efforts are underway.