Google Chrome: Use after free in Compositing
Summary
Google Chrome versions before 156.0.8078.73 contain a use-after-free flaw in the Compositing component, which manages visual layers on screen. A remote attacker can use a crafted HTML page to potentially execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. The attack requires that a user visits the attacker's page, and the sources reviewed describe no sandbox escape.
Affected
- Google Chrome prior to 156.0.8078.73 (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Note: the official CVE record lists the affected range as "156.0.8078.73 to < 156.0.8078.73", which is inconsistent with the description. The description is used here.
Fixed in
- Google Chrome 156.0.8078.73 (Stable channel, 27 October 2026)
Workaround
- Unknown. No vendor-recommended interim mitigation was found. Updating is the recommended control.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild was found in the sources reviewed. Not verified against the CISA KEV catalogue.
- No public proof of concept was found.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
Our recommendation
- Update all Google Chrome installations to 156.0.8078.73 or later.
- Verify on managed devices that the fixed build is actually installed, because Chrome updates roll out in stages.
- Restart Chrome so the update takes effect.
- Check other Chromium-based or embedded browsers, which need their own patch tracking.
- Monitor the CISA KEV catalogue for changes in exploitation 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 574382050 issues.chromium.org
- Ubuntu Security: CVE-2026-118346 ubuntu.com
- VulDB: CVE-2026-118346 vuldb.com
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-118346 radar.offseq.com
- CVE details (threatint) cve.threatint.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, 09:51.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in Compositing 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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