Google Chrome: Use after free in PDF rendering allows sandbox code execution
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the PDF component of Google Chrome before 155.0.8059.39 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. Exploitation requires the victim to open a crafted HTML page, for example through phishing or a malicious website. Google rates the Chromium security severity as High and the CVSS base score is 8.8; the CVE description does not document a sandbox escape.
Affected
- Google Chrome before 155.0.8059.39 (Windows and Mac: before 155.0.8059.39/.40 per vendor advisory; Linux: before 155.0.8059.39)
- Chromium-based browsers that ingest the fix, such as Microsoft Edge before 155.0.4283.62 (desktop)
- Linux distribution Chromium packages before their fixed versions
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 155.0.8059.39 or later (155.0.8059.40 on Windows and Mac where available), released 6 October 2026
- Microsoft Edge 155.0.4283.62 or later (desktop)
- Debian: 155.0.8059.39-1~deb12u1 and 155.0.8059.39-1~deb13u1
- SUSE: chromium 155.0.8059.39
Workaround
- Apply the fixed version; no workaround is needed once updated.
- Unverified third-party suggestion, not confirmed by the vendor: disable the embedded PDF viewer or block PDF rendering until patched.
Exploitation
- No exploitation reported in the wild as of 7 October 2026 (MS-ISAC).
- Not listed in CISA KEV.
- No public exploit found; VulDB rates exploitation as easy, which is an assessment and not evidence of exploitation.
- Details of any sandbox-escape chain: Unknown.
Our recommendation
- Verify that Chrome is at 155.0.8059.39 or later (155.0.8059.40 on Windows and Mac where available) on all workstations, including BYOD devices.
- Verify that Edge is at 155.0.4283.62 or later and Linux systems are at their fixed package versions.
- Check the managed fleet for outdated installations and enforce automatic updates.
- Train users to avoid untrusted links and websites, as the attack relies on a crafted HTML page.
- Monitor for reports of exploitation and update further if the status changes.
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 issues.chromium.org
- Debian OSV record osv.dev
- MS-ISAC / CIS advisory www.cisecurity.org
- HKCERT Microsoft Edge security bulletin www.hkcert.org
- CISA ADP Vulnrichment (via HOL Guard) hol.org
- SUSE CVE record (via Vulners) vulners.com
- OffSeq Radar threat entry radar.offseq.com
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, 21:43.
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 HTML page. (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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