Google Chrome: Use-after-free in SVG handling
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the SVG handling of Google Chrome for desktop allows a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox. The attacker only needs to lure a user to a crafted HTML page, so no account or prior access is required. The official description refers to escaping the sandbox, which is usually chained with a separate renderer flaw; the Chromium bug report should be checked to confirm this.
Affected
- Google Chrome for desktop prior to 156.0.8078.73
- Windows and Mac: builds prior to 156.0.8078.74 according to secondary sources (verify in the vendor advisory)
- Linux: builds prior to 156.0.8078.73
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.73 (Linux) and 156.0.8078.73/.74 (Windows and Mac), Stable channel update of 27 Oct 2026
- Ubuntu google-chrome-stable package 156.0.8078.73-1
Workaround
- No vendor-documented workaround.
- Install the update and restart the browser, as a running session keeps the old build.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the sources checked.
- Not listed in CISA KEV at the time of the sources; no public exploit found (snapshot as of 26 Oct 2026).
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Update Google Chrome on all desktops (Windows, Mac and Linux) to the fixed build and restart the browser.
- Enforce browser updates through managed policy on company devices.
- Check the inventory for outdated Chrome versions and verify the installed build.
- Monitor for exploitation news and recheck the NVD and CISA KEV 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 issues.chromium.org
- Red Hat CVE entry via Vulners vulners.com
- Ubuntu security notice CVE-2026-118308 ubuntu.com
- Ubuntu package google-chrome-stable www.ubuntuupdates.org
- OffSeq threat radar entry radar.offseq.com
- CVE entry via threatint cve.threatint.com
- CIS advisory on Google Chrome vulnerabilities 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 30 Oct 2026, 22:03.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in SVG in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code outside 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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