Google Chrome: Use-after-free in ContextualSearch, code execution in sandbox
Summary
A use-after-free flaw (CWE-416) in the ContextualSearch component of Google Chrome allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. The attacker needs the victim to open a crafted HTML page, so the risk comes from normal web browsing and links in email. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8 (High), and Google rates the Chromium severity as Medium.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 (CVE description)
- The CVE record's affected range is internally inconsistent (156.0.8078.47 to below 156.0.8078.47) and should be checked against the vendor advisory.
- Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge are affected in their own version ranges (Edge before 156.0.4314.42).
Fixed in
- Chrome 156.0.8078.47 (Linux, Android, according to the research notes)
- Chrome 156.0.8078.47 or .48 (Windows, macOS, according to the research notes)
- Newer Chrome 156 builds (for example 156.0.8078.79) contain further fixes; use the newest 156 build.
- Edge 156.0.4314.42 or later
- Debian and Ubuntu: check the distribution tracker for chromium package status; Ubuntu ships Chromium as a snap.
Workaround
- No vendor-documented workaround is known.
- Mitigation for managed fleets: confirm the running browser version after restart, because an update prompt alone may not replace the running process.
Exploitation
- No evidence of active exploitation found.
- CISA KEV status: not verified.
- No public proof of concept found. The Chromium issue tracker entry could not be read.
Our recommendation
- Update Chrome and all Chromium-based browsers (including Edge) on workstations and servers that browse the web to the newest Chrome 156 build.
- Enforce automatic updates and check the running version centrally after restart.
- Prioritise machines used for email and general web browsing.
- Check the vendor advisory and the Linux distribution trackers for the exact fixed version on your platform.
- Monitor the vendor and CISA KEV for changes in exploitation status.
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
- Ubuntu CVE tracker ubuntu.com
- Debian/CIRCL CVE record vulners.com
- CVE list record (Vulners) vulners.com
- HKCERT security bulletin (Microsoft Edge) www.hkcert.org
- Cybersecurity News: Chrome 156 security update cybersecuritynews.com
- Strix CVE record www.strix.ai
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, 13:06.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in ContextualSearch 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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