CVE-2026-17658 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 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 • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition within the V8 JavaScript engine component of Google Chrome, affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw occurs when the V8 engine fails to properly manage memory references, allowing an attacker to manipulate freed memory locations and potentially execute malicious code within the browser's sandboxed environment. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of object references in JavaScript execution contexts where objects are deallocated but still referenced elsewhere in the code.
The technical implementation involves a scenario where a JavaScript object undergoes garbage collection while still being referenced by other parts of the execution stack. When V8 attempts to access this freed memory location, it can be overwritten with attacker-controlled data, leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software development. The memory corruption occurs during normal JavaScript object lifecycle management, making it particularly dangerous as legitimate browser operations can trigger the exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows remote attackers to bypass the browser's security sandbox mechanisms that are designed to isolate web content from the underlying operating system. Attackers can craft malicious HTML pages containing specific JavaScript patterns that trigger the memory corruption, enabling them to escalate privileges and potentially access sensitive user data or system resources. This represents a high-severity threat according to Chromium security guidelines, as it provides a direct path for remote code execution within the browser context.
The exploitation process typically involves creating a specific JavaScript object pattern that causes V8 to allocate and deallocate memory in a predictable manner, followed by careful manipulation of the freed memory location through subsequent operations. Attackers leverage this vulnerability by embedding malicious scripts in web pages that, when executed by the vulnerable browser version, trigger the use-after-free condition. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution and T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies include immediate updating of Chrome to versions 151.0.7922.72 or later, which contain the patched V8 engine implementation that properly handles object reference cleanup. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls to prevent access to known malicious domains. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript features and implementing strict Content Security Policies can further reduce attack surface. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other browser components or web applications that may be susceptible to analogous memory corruption vulnerabilities.