Google Chrome: Use-after-free in Extensions allows code execution in sandbox
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the Extensions component of Google Chrome allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. The attack requires that a user opens a crafted HTML page. The attacker would gain code execution within the sandbox, not full control of the system.
Affected
- Google Chrome desktop prior to 156.0.8078.47 (CVE record)
- Later MS-ISAC advisory lists Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73/.74 for Windows and Mac and prior to 156.0.8078.73 for Linux (not verified against Google's release notes)
Fixed in
- Chrome 156.0.8078.47 (Stable Channel Update of 20 October 2026, per the vendor advisory and third-party coverage)
- Newer Chrome 156 builds listed in the MS-ISAC advisory; the latest stable Chrome 156 build should be used
Workaround
Unknown.
- No vendor-documented workaround for this CVE is known. Updating Chrome and restarting the browser is the required response.
- Restricting extension installation to an allow-list reduces exposure as a general hardening measure.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild is known; the MS-ISAC advisory and Windows-focused coverage report no known exploitation. CISA KEV status was not verified.
- No public proof of concept found; VulDB states no exploit is available.
- EPSS score 0.44 % (snapshot around 21 October 2026).
Our recommendation
- Inventory Chrome versions on all endpoints, including Android devices and any Microsoft Edge installs that consume Chromium.
- Update Chrome to the newest stable build of the Chrome 156 branch, at least 156.0.8078.47 on desktop, and restart the browser.
- Review installed extensions and remove those that are not needed.
- Prioritise users who browse untrusted sites or use many extensions.
- Recheck the CISA KEV catalogue and Google's advisory for 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
- VulDB CVE-2026-113321 vuldb.com
- Ubuntu CVE tracker ubuntu.com
- Vulners CVE listing vulners.com
- MS-ISAC advisory: multiple vulnerabilities in Google Chrome www.cisecurity.org
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, 11:57.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Extensions 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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