CVE-2026-17947 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2026
Use after free in WebSockets in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.72 allowed a remote attacker to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2026
This vulnerability represents a use-after-free condition within the WebSocket implementation of google chrome browser affecting versions prior to 151.0.7922.72. The flaw occurs when the browser processes crafted html pages that establish websocket connections and subsequently manipulate memory references after the websocket objects have been freed. Such a scenario creates opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption patterns that can lead to arbitrary code execution within the browser sandbox. The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under cwe-416 use after free, which specifically addresses situations where program code continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed by the system. From an operational perspective this vulnerability presents a significant risk as it allows remote attackers to potentially escape the browser sandbox environment through carefully constructed malicious web content. The chromium security severity classification of low does not diminish the practical impact since sandbox escape vulnerabilities can provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to system resources beyond normal browser limitations. The attack vector requires a user to navigate to a crafted webpage containing malicious websocket code, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites. This type of vulnerability falls within the attack technique described by mitre att&ck framework under techniques such as t1059 command and scripting interpreter and t1203 exploit for client execution. The memory corruption characteristics of use-after-free vulnerabilities make them attractive targets for attackers seeking to bypass modern security mitigations like address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms. In the context of browser security this vulnerability demonstrates how complex web technologies can introduce subtle memory management flaws that compromise the isolation properties of browser sandboxes.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific conditions where websocket objects are destroyed while references remain active in the javascript execution environment. When chrome processes websocket connections and subsequently frees memory associated with these objects without properly invalidating all references, attackers can manipulate the freed memory to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code. The timing aspect of this flaw is critical since it depends on the precise sequence of object destruction and reference resolution within the browser's javascript engine. Modern browsers implement various mitigations against such vulnerabilities including heap randomization, secure memory allocation patterns, and comprehensive memory integrity checks, but legacy versions may lack these protections. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other browser implementations where websocket or similar networking components have exhibited use-after-free behaviors due to improper reference counting or object lifecycle management. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to user data, browser sessions, and potentially system-level privileges depending on the underlying operating system implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating their chrome installations to versions 151.0.7922.72 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper memory management fixes and enhanced object lifecycle controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and deployment of patched browser versions across affected systems. System administrators should implement automated update mechanisms to ensure timely patching of chrome installations, particularly in enterprise environments where multiple users may be exposed to malicious web content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can provide additional layers of defense by blocking known malicious domains or suspicious websocket traffic patterns. Browser hardening configurations including disabling unnecessary websocket features for specific use cases and implementing strict security policies can reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual websocket connection behaviors or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on browser security can help identify similar memory corruption issues in other components. The remediation process should also consider user education regarding safe browsing practices and the risks associated with visiting untrusted websites. Organizations implementing zero-trust security models should ensure proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally maintaining detailed incident response procedures specific to browser-based vulnerabilities will enable rapid containment and mitigation of any exploitation attempts that may occur despite preventive measures.