Google Chrome: Memory corruption in WebAppInstalls allows code execution
Summary
Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 contains a memory corruption flaw in the WebAppInstalls component (CWE-119). A remote attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox by luring a user to a crafted HTML page. The attack requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious or phishing link, and no authentication. Whether a sandbox escape is possible is unknown.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 (per NVD and CNA description)
- Conflicting data: VulDB lists versions up to 155.0.8059.84; treat all versions before 156.0.8078.47 as affected
- Build numbers for the 20 Oct 2026 release differ between sources; verify against the vendor advisory
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.47 or later per the CNA description; Windows/macOS builds of the 20 Oct 2026 Stable Channel Update may be 156.0.8078.47 or .48 (unverified)
- Newest Stable build recommended; a 27 Oct 2026 update (156.0.8078.73/.74 for Windows/Mac, 156.0.8078.73 for Linux) exists, but it is unconfirmed whether this CVE is listed in it
- Ubuntu: Chromium packages listed as not affected; update the Chromium snap
- Debian: chromium updates DSA 6577-1 and DLA 4853-1 are listed (contents not verified)
Workaround
- Unknown. A patch exists, so updating is the recommended measure.
Exploitation
- CISA KEV: not listed according to a third-party source; not confirmed against the KEV catalogue.
- Public proof of concept: none found; unknown.
- Exploitation assessment (CISA SSVC): none; not automatable.
- Chromium severity: Medium. CVSS 3.1 base score 8.8 (NVD); VulDB scores 6.3.
Our recommendation
- Update all Chrome installations to the latest Stable build and verify versions via MDM or the update console.
- Prioritise users who browse untrusted sites or run Chrome with elevated rights.
- Ensure browser updates are not blocked by extensions or by browsers that are never closed.
- Check Chromium-based browsers (e.g. Edge, Brave) separately, as their fix status is unknown.
- Monitor vendor advisories for confirmation of the fixed version.
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
- NVD via Vulners vulners.com
- VulDB entry vuldb.com
- Ubuntu security tracker ubuntu.com
- Vulners CVE list entry (Debian references) vulners.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, 12:06.
Original description (NVD)
Memory corruption in WebAppInstalls in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.47 allowed a remote attacker to potentially 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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