Google Chrome: Use-after-free in PDF component allows sandboxed code execution
Summary
A use-after-free flaw (CWE-416) in the PDF component of Google Chrome, which uses PDFium, allows code execution inside the browser sandbox. An attacker can exploit it remotely by tricking a user into opening a crafted PDF file, for example via a website, an email attachment or an embedded PDF viewer. No authentication is required, but user interaction is. Code execution is limited to the sandbox, so a separate sandbox escape would be needed for full system compromise.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.39
- Chromium-based browsers that use the same fixed PDFium code, such as Microsoft Edge, depend on the vendor build (unconfirmed)
- Linux distribution Chromium packages, according to Debian and SUSE advisories, depend on the distribution build
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 155.0.8059.39 (Linux) and 155.0.8059.39/.40 (Windows and Mac), according to the Chrome Stable Channel update of October 6, 2026; verify the exact build against the vendor advisory
- Debian: chromium 155.0.8059.39-1~deb12u1 for bookworm
- Microsoft Edge: confirm the build against the MSRC entry, as it could not be verified
Workaround
No workaround known. Update Chrome and restart the browser so that the new build is loaded.
Exploitation
- CISA ADP Vulnrichment: not marked as known exploited; the CVE was not found in the CISA KEV catalogue during research
- No public proof-of-concept exploit found
- Google's advisory excerpts do not describe exploitation or reporter details
Our recommendation
- Update Chrome on all endpoints to version 155.0.8059.39 or later and restart the browser
- Check the installed Chrome version on all devices, and do not rely on automatic updates alone
- Use Chrome Enterprise to enforce a release channel or forced updates if applicable
- Patch Chromium-based browsers and Linux packages as well, according to their vendors
- Monitor for unusual browser behaviour and treat unexpected PDF attachments with caution
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Chrome Releases: Stable Channel Update for Desktop chromereleases.googleblog.com
- Chromium issue tracker entry issues.chromium.org
- OSV: DEBIAN-CVE-2026-106204 osv.dev
- Tenable Nessus plugin 366658 (Microsoft Edge) www.tenable.com
- Vulners: Chainguard CVE-2026-106204 vulners.com
- Vulners: SUSE CVE-2026-106204 vulners.com
- gHacks: Google releases Chrome 155 with 247 security fixes www.ghacks.net
- HOL Guard: CISA ADP Vulnrichment for CVE-2026-106204 hol.org
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 22:13.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in PDF in Google Chrome prior to 155.0.8059.39 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted PDF file. (Chromium security severity: High)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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