Google Chrome: Use-after-free in Paint allows sandboxed code execution
Summary
Google Chrome versions before 156.0.8078.73 contain a use-after-free vulnerability in the Paint component. A remote attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox by luring a user to a crafted HTML page. The attack requires that a user visits the malicious page, and Google rates the Chromium security severity as High.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 (Windows, macOS and Linux)
- Other Chromium-based browsers: check each vendor's status separately
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.73 or later (Stable channel)
- Newer Chrome 156 builds also contain the fix; install the newest Stable build
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor-documented workaround found. Apply the update.
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC assessment in the official CVE record: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- MS-ISAC advisory of 27 October 2026: no reports of exploitation in the wild.
- Not listed in CISA KEV according to automated trackers (not a primary source).
- No public proof of concept found.
Our recommendation
- Update Google Chrome to 156.0.8078.73 or later on all endpoints and enforce updates via policy.
- Restart browsers after the update, because updates apply only after a relaunch.
- Check Chromium-based browsers in use, such as Microsoft Edge, and apply their vendor updates.
- Prioritise workstations with delayed or unmanaged browser updates.
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-2026-118307 ubuntu.com
- CIS 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, 10:03.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Paint in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
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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