CVE-2026-79054 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Use after free in Chromecast in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Critical)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability described constitutes a critical use-after-free flaw within the Google Chrome browser, specifically impacting components utilized by Chromecast functionality prior to version 152.0.7977.65. This memory corruption error arises when the application continues to reference a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed and potentially reallocated for other purposes. In the context of web browsers, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered by maliciously crafted HTML pages served from remote servers. The core technical failure lies in the lifecycle management of objects within the renderer process, where an object is destroyed while still being accessed or modified by another part of the application logic. This discrepancy between memory deallocation and subsequent access creates a window for exploitation that allows attackers to manipulate program flow and data integrity.
From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant breach in Chrome's multi-process isolation model. The renderer process is designed to operate within a strict sandbox environment to limit the impact of any potential compromise. However, by exploiting this use-after-free condition, an attacker who has already managed to execute code within the compromised renderer process can escalate their privileges and break out of the sandbox boundary. This escape allows for arbitrary code execution outside the restricted context, effectively granting full control over the underlying operating system or user environment depending on the browser's privilege level at runtime. The severity is classified as critical due to the high likelihood of successful exploitation via standard web vectors and the severe consequences of sandbox escape.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, although those remain possible outcomes. Successful exploitation enables a remote attacker to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive user data with elevated privileges, or use the compromised machine as part of a botnet. The ability to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox means that traditional browser-based defenses such as Content Security Policy may be bypassed if they rely on renderer-side enforcement mechanisms. This flaw underscores the importance of rigorous memory safety practices in complex software systems like web browsers, where the attack surface is vast and constantly exposed to untrusted content from the internet.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, which contains patches addressing this specific memory management error. For organizations unable to immediately update all endpoints, network-level filtering can be employed to block access to known malicious domains hosting exploit kits that target this vulnerability. Additionally, enabling sandboxing features and keeping operating system security updates current can help mitigate the impact of any successful exploitation attempt by restricting the capabilities of processes running within the browser environment. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise associated with renderer process anomalies or unexpected network connections originating from Chrome binaries.
This incident aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free errors as a category of software defects leading to memory corruption and potential remote code execution. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability facilitates techniques related to Defense Evasion through sandbox escape and Privilege Escalation by leveraging the compromised renderer process to gain higher-level access. The exploitation path typically involves crafting specific HTML content that triggers the race condition or state inconsistency leading to the use-after-free event, followed by heap spraying or other memory manipulation techniques to achieve code execution in a controlled manner outside the intended security boundaries.