Google Chrome: Use-after-free in XML component
Deadline for US federal agencies: 24 Nov 2026
Summary
A use-after-free vulnerability in the XML component of Google Chrome allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the browser sandbox. The attacker needs the victim to open a crafted HTML page or load attacker-controlled XML or XSLT content. Google confirms that an exploit exists in the wild, while sources disagree on the CISA KEV listing and the NVD status.
Affected
- Google Chrome desktop versions prior to 157.0.8103.50 (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- The official CVE record lists the affected range as 157.0.8103.50 to < 157.0.8103.50, which is inconsistent. The description states prior to 157.0.8103.50.
Fixed in
- Chrome Stable 157.0.8103.50 (Linux) and 157.0.8103.50/.51 (Windows, macOS)
- Chrome Extended Stable 156.0.8078.96 (Windows, macOS): reported by third parties, not confirmed against Google's Extended Stable post
- Chrome for Android 157.0.8103.50: reported, not verified
- ChromeOS: Unknown.
Workaround
No vendor workaround is known. The vendor advisory indicates no mitigation beyond the update.
- Relaunch the browser after updating, because a pending update is not applied until the browser restarts.
Exploitation
- Google confirms that an exploit for CVE-2026-125350 exists in the wild. Details of the attacks have not been shared.
- Sandbox escape: not confirmed.
- Public exploit code: none found in public indexes (negative search result, not proof that none exists).
- CISA KEV status: conflicting reports, verify in the catalog.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
Our recommendation
- Update Chrome to 157.0.8103.50 or later immediately and relaunch the browser.
- Verify the version via Menu > Help > About Google Chrome, and use Chrome Enterprise policies or endpoint management to check all devices.
- Treat unpatched systems as high priority and monitor for suspicious browser activity.
Public exploits
Links to third-party sites, not checked by us – exploit code can contain malware. Only use it in isolated test environments.
- Proof of concept on GitHub (4 repositories)
ashrafzaryouh/CVE-2026-125350 · Frostmoon39206/CVE-2026-125350-PoC · TJT001/CVE-2026-125350-PoC · al4n4n/CVE-2026-125350
Research sources
- Chrome Releases: Stable Channel Update for Desktop chromereleases.googleblog.com
- Chromium issue tracker issues.chromium.org
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog www.cisa.gov
- BleepingComputer: Google patches eighth Chrome zero-day exploited in attacks this year www.bleepingcomputer.com
- SecurityWeek: Chrome update patches exploited XML zero-day www.securityweek.com
- Ostorlab: Chrome XSLT use-after-free CVE-2026-125350 blog.ostorlab.co
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-125350 radar.offseq.com
- Malwarebytes: Update Chrome now to fix a flaw attackers are exploiting www.malwarebytes.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 10 Nov 2026, 23:12.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in XML in Google Chrome prior to 157.0.8103.50 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Required action (CISA)
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
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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