CVE-2026-79244 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
Use after free in Animation in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Low)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free error within the Animation component of Google Chrome prior to version 152.0.7977.65 represents a critical memory management flaw that can be leveraged by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior and potential exploitation. In the context of web browsers like Chrome, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they reside within the sandboxed environment designed to isolate untrusted content from the host system. Despite these security boundaries, sophisticated attackers can craft malicious HTML pages that trigger this specific memory corruption scenario, thereby bypassing the intended isolation mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, the Animation module in Chromium handles visual transitions and effects on web pages. When an animation object is destroyed or removed from the document tree while references to it are still held elsewhere in the codebase, those dangling pointers may be dereferenced later during subsequent rendering operations. This use-after-free condition allows an attacker who controls the crafted HTML page to manipulate memory contents in a way that can lead to arbitrary write primitives. These primitives are essential for constructing exploit chains that ultimately result in the execution of malicious payloads within the browser process, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of user data processed by the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for remote code execution via simple web interaction. A victim does not need to download any additional software or execute local files; merely visiting a specially crafted webpage hosted on an attacker-controlled server can trigger the exploit. Although Chromium classified the security severity as Low, likely reflecting the difficulty in achieving reliable exploitation under modern mitigation techniques such as ASLR and DEP, the theoretical risk remains high. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information like cookies or session tokens, or use the compromised browser as a pivot point for further network attacks.
Industry standards categorize this flaw under CWE-416, which defines Use After Free vulnerabilities where memory is accessed after it has been freed. This classification highlights the importance of proper lifecycle management in software development to prevent such logical errors. Furthermore, from an offensive security perspective aligned with MITRE ATT&CK frameworks, this vulnerability facilitates initial access and potentially privilege escalation within the browser sandbox environment. Attackers might leverage techniques associated with T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter or T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution to achieve their objectives once arbitrary code execution is established.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later, where the underlying memory management issues in the Animation module have been addressed by developers through rigorous testing and patching processes. Organizations should enforce automated update policies for all endpoints running this browser to ensure timely application of security fixes. Additionally, deploying advanced endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify suspicious behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory access patterns or unexpected process spawns originating from the Chrome executable. Users are also advised to exercise caution when visiting unfamiliar websites and consider using browser extensions that block potentially malicious scripts until all updates are applied.