CVE-2026-4445 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
Use after free in WebRTC in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.153 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free condition in the WebRTC implementation within Google Chrome browsers running versions prior to 146.0.7680.153. The flaw occurs within the WebRTC component responsible for handling real-time communication protocols and media streaming capabilities. The vulnerability is classified as high severity by Chromium security standards, indicating significant potential for exploitation by remote attackers. The use-after-free condition arises when memory allocated for WebRTC objects is freed from the heap but subsequent operations attempt to access that same memory location, creating opportunities for heap corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious HTML page that triggers specific WebRTC operations leading to improper memory management. When a victim visits such a crafted page, the browser's WebRTC implementation processes the malicious input and executes code that causes a memory allocation to be freed while references to that memory remain active. This creates a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the heap layout and potentially overwrite critical memory structures or inject malicious code into the browser's memory space. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of WebRTC peer connections, data channels, and media stream operations where memory management is critical for maintaining system stability and security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain persistent access to affected systems through the browser's execution context, potentially leading to full system compromise. The WebRTC component's integration with multimedia processing and network communication makes it particularly attractive for attackers seeking to establish persistent backdoors or conduct reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability affects all Chrome users running vulnerable versions, with no user interaction required beyond visiting the malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of Chrome version 146.0.7680.153 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory management issues in the WebRTC implementation. Organizations should prioritize browser updates as part of their security operations, implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. Network administrators should consider implementing web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and monitor for suspicious WebRTC-related traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free errors in memory management, and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and control communications and T1566 for phishing campaigns that leverage browser exploits. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to WebRTC memory corruption and implement behavioral analytics to detect anomalous browser memory usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.