Description

Use after free in HTML in Google Chrome prior to 151.0.7922.137 allowed a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "8.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-11T22:17:21.547Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-11T22:17:21.547Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A critical security vulnerability involving a use-after-free condition has been identified within the HTML parsing and handling component of Google Chrome prior to version 151.0.7922.137. This memory corruption flaw presents severe risk implications, as successful exploitation enables a remote attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution within the restricted confines of the browser sandbox. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during HTML processing, where a dangling pointer is referenced after the underlying heap memory has been deallocated. Attacker capabilities include compromising the rendering process through malicious manipulation of DOM structures or parsing states. Exploitation requirements mandate that the target user navigates to or interacts with a specially crafted HTML page controlled by the adversary. No authentication is required for initial engagement, making network-based exploitation via malicious web content highly viable. The combination of remote accessibility, lack of authentication, and arbitrary code execution capabilities elevates the overall risk profile to a high severity rating, necessitating immediate remediation across all affected client endpoints.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition localized within the HTML processing subsystem of Google Chrome, specifically affecting product versions prior to 151.0.7922.137. The root cause originates from memory safety failures in the component responsible for rendering and interpreting HTML markup. When processing a crafted HTML page containing malicious or malformed elements, the rendering engine improperly manages the lifecycle of heap-allocated objects. Specifically, an object is freed while references to it remain active within internal data structures, resulting in a dangling pointer. Subsequent operations attempt to access the memory location previously occupied by the deallocated object, creating a classic use-after-free scenario.\nThe exploitation method relies on heap manipulation techniques to induce predictable memory layout states. An attacker crafts a malicious HTML page embedded with specific JavaScript and DOM manipulation sequences designed to trigger the premature deallocation of the target object. Following the free operation, the attacker utilizes heap spray or similar primitives to re-allocate the freed memory region with attacker-controlled data, such as fake object vtables or shellcode primitives. When the browser subsequently dereferences the dangling pointer, it executes attacker-controlled instructions instead of legitimate program logic.\nThe step-by-step attack flow proceeds as follows: First, the remote attacker exposes a crafted HTML page via the network, typically hosted on an accessible web server. Second, the victim utilizes an unpatched instance of Google Chrome to navigate to the malicious URL. Third, the browser parses the HTML content, initiating the vulnerable code path that results in the improper release of heap memory while retaining active references. Fourth, the attacker's embedded script stabilizes the heap layout and populates the reclaimed memory space with payload data. Fifth, the application triggers the use-after-free condition by accessing the dangling pointer. Sixth, the resulting memory corruption hijacks the control flow of the rendering process, culminating in arbitrary code execution inside the browser sandbox.\nNetwork exposure is remote, as the attack vector requires the victim to process web content supplied by the attacker. Privilege and authentication requirements are minimal; no prior user authentication, local access, or elevated privileges are necessary. The post-exploitation impact is constrained by the browser sandbox architecture, limiting initial arbitrary code execution to the restricted privileges of the sandboxed rendering process. However, successful sandbox escape chains could potentially lead to full system compromise depending on the presence of secondary kernel or browser privilege escalation flaws."
}