CVE-2026-113048 Overview
CVE-2026-113048 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the DevTools component of Google Chrome. The flaw affects Chrome versions prior to 156.0.8078.47. A remote attacker can leverage a crafted HTML page to trigger memory corruption and potentially execute arbitrary code inside the renderer sandbox. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as visiting an attacker-controlled page with DevTools interaction. The weakness is classified under CWE-119, improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. Google released a fix in the Stable channel desktop update tracked in the Google Chrome Desktop Update.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution inside the Chrome sandbox via a malicious HTML page, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the browser process.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome Desktop versions prior to 156.0.8078.47
- Chromium-based builds incorporating the vulnerable DevTools component
- All platforms shipping the pre-patch Stable channel (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-10-20 - CVE-2026-113048 published to NVD
- 2026-10-22 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-113048
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Chrome DevTools subsystem. DevTools provides debugging and inspection capabilities built into the browser and interacts with web content through privileged interfaces. A crafted HTML page can manipulate DevTools-related code paths to corrupt memory structures. Attackers can abuse this corruption to redirect execution flow or overwrite function pointers. The resulting primitive enables arbitrary code execution inside the renderer sandbox. Although Chromium rates the internal severity as Low, the external scoring reflects the remote network attack surface and high impact triad. The EPSS probability sits at 0.327%, indicating limited observed exploitation signal at publication time.
Root Cause
The defect maps to [CWE-119], improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer. DevTools handles untrusted input derived from page content and inspection targets without enforcing complete bounds validation. Specific technical particulars are tracked in the restricted Chromium Issue Tracker Entry. The fix landed as part of the Chrome 156.0.8078.47 Stable rollout.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is network-based and requires user interaction. A victim must load a crafted HTML page that triggers the vulnerable DevTools code path. No elevated privileges are required on the target. Execution remains constrained to the renderer sandbox, so a sandbox escape chain would be needed to reach the host operating system. Phishing, malvertising, and compromised sites are plausible delivery channels.
No verified public proof-of-concept exploit code is available at the time of writing. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for upstream technical references once access is granted.
Stop Remote Code Execution Before It Runs
Singularity™ Endpoint detects and blocks exploit attempts at machine speed, including zero-days and novel attack techniques.
Stop Exploit AttemptsDetection Methods for CVE-2026-113048
Indicators of Compromise
- Renderer process crashes referencing DevTools frames or inspector protocol handlers
- Chrome crash dumps with access violations in DevTools-related modules shortly after visiting unfamiliar HTML pages
- Outbound connections from Chrome child processes to unknown hosts following suspicious page loads
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Chrome installations and flag any version earlier than 156.0.8078.47 across managed endpoints
- Correlate browser crash telemetry with web proxy logs to identify URLs that precede renderer faults
- Monitor for unexpected child-process creation from chrome.exe or the Chrome renderer following HTML page loads
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest endpoint telemetry and browser crash events into a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting
- Alert on Chrome renderer processes spawning shells, scripting hosts, or living-off-the-land binaries
- Track DNS and HTTP traffic to newly registered or low-reputation domains delivering HTML content to users
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-113048
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later on all desktop platforms
- Force-restart Chrome after update deployment to ensure the patched binaries are loaded
- Validate enterprise policy baselines to confirm automatic updates are not disabled
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-113048 in the Stable channel desktop release documented in the Google Chrome Desktop Update. Administrators should distribute version 156.0.8078.47 or later through managed update channels or MDM tooling. Chromium-derived browsers should apply the equivalent upstream patch once their vendors publish an aligned build.
Workarounds
- Restrict use of Chrome DevTools on managed endpoints through enterprise policy where feasible
- Enforce web filtering to block access to untrusted or newly observed domains until patching completes
- Educate users to avoid interacting with DevTools on untrusted pages and to report unexpected browser crashes
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
