CVE-2026-15118 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2026
Use after free in Input in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.115 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the input handling components of google chrome browser versions prior to 150.0.7871.115. The flaw occurs when the browser processes maliciously crafted html content that triggers improper memory management during input processing operations. The underlying technical issue stems from a failure to properly validate or manage object lifecycles within the browser's rendering engine, specifically in how it handles user input data structures. When a malicious webpage attempts to manipulate input elements through javascript or direct html manipulation techniques, the browser's memory management system fails to correctly track the lifecycle of allocated memory regions. This creates a scenario where freed memory blocks can be reallocated and accessed by subsequent operations, leading to potential code execution within the sandboxed environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical browser exploitation vectors due to the high severity classification assigned by chromium security team. Attackers can craft specialized html pages that leverage the use-after-free condition to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the chrome process. The sandbox protection mechanisms designed to isolate browser components from the underlying operating system become ineffective when such memory corruption occurs, as the attacker can potentially escalate privileges beyond the intended sandbox boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software development practices. The attack surface is broad as it involves standard web browsing activities where users might encounter malicious content through phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or drive-by downloads.
The exploitation technique typically involves creating a specific sequence of html and javascript operations that force the browser into a state where memory allocated for input handling structures becomes freed while still being referenced by subsequent code paths. Attackers can leverage this condition to overwrite critical memory locations with malicious payloads, potentially leading to remote code execution within the chrome browser process. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign input processing operations can become attack vectors when proper memory management protocols are not enforced. Modern exploitation approaches often combine this type of memory corruption with other techniques such as information disclosure or privilege escalation methods to maximize impact. Organizations should consider implementing browser security controls and monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of chrome browser installations to version 150.0.7871.115 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes for this use-after-free condition. Additionally implementing content security policies and restricting access to potentially malicious websites through web filtering solutions can provide layered defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor network traffic for indicators of compromise related to known exploit patterns and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds regarding emerging attack vectors targeting browser vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development, particularly when dealing with user-controlled input data that must be processed safely within constrained execution environments.