Google Chrome: Use-after-free in Variations allows code execution in sandbox
Summary
Google Chrome versions before 156.0.8078.47 contain a use-after-free vulnerability (CWE-416) in the Variations component. A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox by luring a user to a crafted HTML page. No login is required, but the victim must open the page. Chromium rates the issue Medium, and NVD assigns a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 (per NVD description)
- Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) prior to 156.0.4314.42 (per HKCERT bulletin)
- Debian chromium packages referencing this CVE (DSA 6577-1, DLA 4853-1)
- Ubuntu chromium-browser packages are marked not affected (Chromium snap)
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.47 for Linux
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.47/.48 for Windows and macOS (sources differ; .48 is the safe target, confirm on the vendor advisory)
- Microsoft Edge 156.0.4314.42 or later
- Newer stable builds are available; deploy the latest stable release
Workaround
- Unknown. No interim mitigation is documented by the vendor. Apply the update.
- Fully restart the browser after updating, because a running old process remains vulnerable.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild found.
- No public proof-of-concept found.
- A third-party tracker lists the CVE as not in the CISA KEV catalog (not verified against CISA).
Our recommendation
- Update all Chrome and Edge installations to the latest stable build, including Linux systems with Chromium packages.
- Confirm the installed version on every endpoint and check the vendor advisory for the exact Windows/macOS build.
- Restart browsers after the update so the fixed code is active.
- Monitor for unusual browser crashes or unexpected code execution on endpoints.
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
- Ubuntu security tracker CVE-2026-113205 ubuntu.com
- Vulners CVE-2026-113205 (Debian) vulners.com
- HKCERT Microsoft Edge security bulletin www.hkcert.org
- GBHackers: Chrome 156 fixes 353 security vulnerabilities gbhackers.com
- Penligent: Chrome 156 security update www.penligent.ai
- Windows Forum: Chrome 156 security update windowsforum.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, 13:04.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Variations in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: Medium)
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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