Google Chrome: Use-after-free in Animation allows code execution in sandbox
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the Animation component of Google Chrome desktop allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. Exploitation requires a victim to open a crafted HTML page, for example on a malicious or compromised website. The flaw is rated High by Chromium, and CISA SSVC lists exploitation as none and automatable as no.
Affected
- Google Chrome desktop builds before 156.0.8078.73
- Per secondary reports: Windows and Mac builds before 156.0.8078.73/.74, Linux builds before 156.0.8078.73
- Other Chromium-based browsers and Linux distribution builds: Unknown.
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.73 (Linux) and 156.0.8078.73/.74 (Windows and Mac), Stable channel update of 27 October 2026
- Verify these version numbers against the Google advisory before relying on them.
Workaround
- No workaround documented. Install the update.
Exploitation
- Not listed in CISA KEV, according to OffSeq and GitHub alert trackers.
- No public proof-of-concept or exploit code found.
- No honeypot attack traffic recorded.
- EPSS: 0.32 % as provided; another tracker lists 0.22 %.
Our recommendation
- Update Google Chrome on all endpoints to the fixed version now; priority is patching within days.
- Check the running Chrome version on managed and unmanaged workstations, and enforce auto-update where possible.
- Check and update other Chromium-based browsers (for example Edge, Brave, Vivaldi) and Ubuntu chromium snaps, as their patch status is Unknown.
- Monitor for vendor and CISA updates on exploitation.
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 567645136 issues.chromium.org
- VulDB: CVE-2026-118339 vuldb.com
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-118339 radar.offseq.com
- CIS Advisory: Multiple vulnerabilities in Google Chrome www.cisecurity.org
- Ubuntu Security: CVE-2026-118339 ubuntu.com
- Malware.news: Chrome and Firefox updates fix serious security flaws malware.news
- CVE Brief archive 2026/10/29 cvebrief.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, 09:54.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Animation in Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 allowed a remote attacker to 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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