CVE-2026-87480 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Use after free in Printing in Google Chrome prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the printing subsystem of Google Chrome prior to version 153.0.8010.36 represents a critical memory management flaw that undermines the browser's sandboxing architecture. This specific class of error occurs 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 Chrome, this defect resides in the code responsible for handling print-related operations, which processes complex document structures and rendering instructions. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page designed to trigger this specific sequence of events within the renderer process, they can manipulate the state of memory such that freed objects are accessed with stale pointers. This manipulation allows the execution flow to be diverted toward arbitrary code paths rather than terminating safely or handling the error gracefully.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for sandbox escape. Chrome relies heavily on a multi-process architecture where renderer processes operate in a restricted environment, commonly known as the sandbox, to limit the damage caused by exploits targeting web content. By exploiting this use-after-free flaw within the printing module, an attacker who has already compromised the renderer process can bypass these restrictions. The ability to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox means that the attack is no longer confined to the browser's internal processes but extends to the underlying operating system and user environment. This escalation of privilege effectively neutralizes one of the primary defense mechanisms employed by modern web browsers, allowing for full control over the victim's machine under certain conditions.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which defines use after free as referencing memory that has already been freed. The exploitation technique leverages the timing and state management failures inherent in dynamic memory allocation systems to achieve code execution. In terms of adversary tactics, this scenario corresponds to ATT&CK techniques related to process injection or sandbox escape, specifically focusing on bypassing application control mechanisms through memory corruption. The high severity rating assigned by Chromium security reflects the direct path from a web-based attack vector to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges, highlighting the critical nature of maintaining strict memory safety in complex software systems like browsers.
Mitigation for this vulnerability primarily involves updating Google Chrome to version 153.0.8010.36 or later, where the underlying memory management logic has been corrected to prevent access to freed resources. For organizations managing large deployments, ensuring that automatic updates are enabled is crucial to maintaining protection against such exploits. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to renderer process anomalies and enforce strict content security policies to limit the execution of untrusted scripts. While technical controls like sandboxing provide a robust defense layer, they are not infallible; therefore, keeping software up to date remains the most effective strategy against known memory corruption vulnerabilities that threaten browser integrity.