CVE-2026-87533 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Use after free in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 153.0.8010.36 allowed a local attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a local program. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the DevTools component of Google Chrome prior to version 153.0.8010.36 represents a critical memory management flaw that undermines the browser's sandboxing mechanisms. Use-after-free errors occur when a program continues to use a pointer after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior such as crashes or arbitrary code execution. In this specific instance, the defect resides in DevTools, which is an integrated set of web developer tools built into Google Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers. These tools are designed for debugging and testing web applications but often require elevated privileges within the browser process to function effectively. When a memory region allocated for DevTools functionality is deallocated while still being referenced by another part of the application, subsequent access to that memory can result in the execution of attacker-controlled data if the freed memory has been reallocated for malicious purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the browser's sandbox. The Chrome sandbox is a security feature designed to restrict the actions that untrusted web content and processes can perform, thereby limiting the potential damage from exploits originating on the web or via phishing attacks. By exploiting this use-after-free flaw through a local program, an attacker can bypass these restrictions. This means that code executed as part of the exploit runs with higher privileges than intended, potentially granting access to sensitive system resources, user data, and other applications running on the same machine. The Chromium security severity rating for this issue is classified as Medium, reflecting its potential for remote or local exploitation leading to privilege escalation or sandbox escape, although it may require specific conditions such as a crafted local program to trigger effectively.
From a technical classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes Use After Free vulnerabilities. This category of flaws is particularly dangerous because they can often be leveraged for heap spraying techniques and arbitrary read/write primitives, which are foundational steps in many advanced exploitation chains. Furthermore, the ability to escape the sandbox places this exploit within the context of ATT&CK technique T1055, specifically Process Injection or Dynamic Link Library (DLL) Search Order Hijacking if applicable, but more broadly falls under Privilege Escalation techniques where an attacker gains higher-level permissions on a compromised system. The local nature of the attack vector implies that physical access to the machine or the ability to execute code within the user's context is required, which narrows the threat landscape compared to remote exploits but increases the risk for insider threats or malware already present on the endpoint.
Mitigation strategies primarily involve updating Google Chrome and all Chromium-based browsers to version 153.0.8010.36 or later, where these memory management issues have been addressed by developers through rigorous code reviews and automated fuzzing tests that detect such dangling pointer scenarios before release. For organizations managing large fleets of devices, ensuring automatic update policies are enforced is critical to closing this window of exposure. Additionally, deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can help identify suspicious activities associated with sandbox escape attempts, such as unusual memory allocation patterns or unexpected privilege changes following the execution of local programs. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise that suggest exploitation of browser vulnerabilities, including anomalous network connections from Chrome processes or unauthorized modifications to system files, which may indicate successful post-exploitation activity stemming from this specific flaw.