CVE-2026-17685 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in Autofill 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 flaw in the Autofill functionality of Google Chrome versions prior to 151.0.7922.72, classified as a high-severity issue by Chromium security standards. The vulnerability arises from improper memory management within the browser's autofill component where freed memory blocks are subsequently accessed by malicious code, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote attackers. The flaw specifically impacts the sandboxed environment of Chrome, allowing adversaries to bypass security boundaries and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which defines use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue where program objects are accessed after their memory has been freed.
The technical exploitation occurs when a crafted HTML page triggers the autofill component in a manner that causes memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory locations. Attackers can leverage this condition to manipulate memory contents and potentially inject malicious code into the browser process. The sandboxing mechanism designed to isolate untrusted content becomes compromised when the use-after-free allows execution of arbitrary instructions within the restricted environment. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign browser features can become attack vectors when memory management is not properly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical browser exploitation scenarios as it provides remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system compromise, and persistence establishment. Attackers can craft malicious web pages that appear legitimate to users while silently exploiting the vulnerability in the background. The sandbox escape capability means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. This aligns with ATT&CK tactics that involve privilege escalation and execution within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Chrome versions to 151.0.7922.72 or later, as this resolves the underlying memory management issues in the autofill component. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block known malicious patterns associated with such exploits. Browser hardening measures including disabling unnecessary browser features, implementing strict content security policies, and maintaining updated security configurations can reduce exploitation success rates. Regular security assessments and monitoring for anomalous browser behavior should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of continuous security updates and proper memory management practices in browser development to prevent such critical security flaws from being exploited in the wild.