Google Chrome: Use after free in PDF component allows sandboxed code execution
Summary
Google Chrome on desktop contains a use-after-free flaw in its PDF component (CWE-416). A remote attacker can use a crafted HTML page to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. The attack requires that a user opens the malicious page (UI:R) and does not require any privileges. Full compromise would normally also need a sandbox escape, which is not described in the CVE record.
Affected
- Google Chrome desktop builds prior to 156.0.8078.47, per the CVE description
- Downstream: Microsoft Edge (HKCERT bulletin lists Edge 156.0.4314.42 or later as fixed)
- Downstream: Linux Chromium packages and snaps (Debian and Ubuntu advisories exist; Ubuntu lists the chromium-browser deb as not affected because it wraps the Chromium snap)
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.47 (per CVE description; Windows and macOS may receive 156.0.8078.48)
- Later stable builds exist; deploy the latest stable version
- Microsoft Edge 156.0.4314.42 or later (per HKCERT)
Workaround
- Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround was found.
- For managed fleets where patching is delayed, Chrome Enterprise policies may restrict the built-in PDF viewer. Verify the policy name and effects in Google's documentation before rollout.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC assessment: Exploitation none, Automatable no, Technical Impact total
- No reports of in-the-wild exploitation found
- No public proof of concept found
- Not listed in CISA KEV according to a third-party source; verify at cisa.gov
Our recommendation
- Update Google Chrome to 156.0.8078.47 or later on Windows, macOS and Linux, preferably the latest stable build.
- Check Microsoft Edge (156.0.4314.42 or later) and other Chromium-based browsers.
- Check Linux Chromium packages and snaps against the Debian and Ubuntu advisories.
- Enforce browser restarts after updates, because pending updates leave the flaw active.
- Confirm the update status of all managed endpoints.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Chrome Releases: Stable Channel Update for Desktop (20 October 2026) chromereleases.googleblog.com
- Chromium issue tracker entry for CVE-2026-113251 issues.chromium.org
- Ubuntu CVE tracker: CVE-2026-113251 ubuntu.com
- Vulners CVE list entry: CVE-2026-113251 vulners.com
- HKCERT security bulletin: Microsoft Edge multiple vulnerabilities www.hkcert.org
- VulDB entry 424509 vuldb.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, 12:41.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in PDF 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: Low)
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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