CVE-2026-4456 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2026
Use after free in Digital Credentials API in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.153 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially perform a sandbox escape via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-4456 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the Digital Credentials API implementation in Google Chrome browsers. This security weakness exists in versions prior to 146.0.7680.153 and stems from improper memory management practices that create opportunities for malicious exploitation. The Digital Credentials API is designed to facilitate secure credential handling and authentication processes, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges within the browser environment. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the renderer process is compromised, allowing an attacker to execute malicious code that exploits the freed memory pointer.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use-after-free conditions as a fundamental memory safety issue. When the Digital Credentials API handles memory allocation and deallocation, a race condition or improper pointer management allows the system to access memory that has already been freed, creating a potential exploitation vector. This flaw occurs during the processing of crafted HTML content that triggers the API functions in a manner that leaves memory in an inconsistent state. The renderer process, which is designed to isolate web content execution from the main browser process, becomes a compromised entry point that can be leveraged to bypass security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables potential sandbox escape capabilities that could allow attackers to break out of the restricted renderer environment. Sandboxing is a core security mechanism in modern browsers that isolates untrusted content execution, and a successful exploitation could undermine this fundamental protection. The high chromium security severity classification indicates that this vulnerability can be weaponized remotely, making it particularly dangerous in real-world attack scenarios. Attackers could craft malicious web pages that, when loaded in a victim's browser, trigger the vulnerable code path and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-4456 primarily focus on immediate browser updates to versions 146.0.7680.153 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the memory management issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly in web traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. Network security controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection by blocking known malicious payloads. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and conducting regular security assessments of browser environments, as it demonstrates how API implementations can introduce critical security gaps that require ongoing vigilance and maintenance. This case exemplifies ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistent access through compromised browser processes.