CVE-2026-113051 Overview
CVE-2026-113051 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) component of Google Chrome versions prior to 156.0.8078.47. A remote attacker can exploit the flaw by serving a crafted HTML page to a target browser. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to potentially read memory inside the Chrome sandbox, exposing sensitive process data. The issue is tracked under [CWE-119] (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) and was rated Medium severity by the Chromium security team. User interaction is required, as the victim must load the attacker-controlled page.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can read sandboxed Chrome process memory through a crafted HTML page, risking disclosure of in-process secrets such as tokens, cookies, or cross-origin content.
Affected Products
- Google Chrome Desktop versions prior to 156.0.8078.47
- Chromium-based browsers inheriting the vulnerable CSS engine
- Embedded applications shipping older Chromium builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-10-20 - CVE-2026-113051 published to NVD
- 2026-10-22 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-113051
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Chrome's CSS processing path within the Blink rendering engine. Processing a crafted HTML page containing malicious style definitions corrupts memory inside the renderer process. The corruption produces an out-of-bounds read condition that an attacker can observe to leak adjacent heap memory. Because the renderer is sandboxed, the primary impact is confidentiality rather than code execution. Leaked data may include JavaScript heap contents, cross-site resources handled by the renderer, or authentication material cached in process memory. The CVSS vector indicates no privileges are required and the attack is launched over the network, but user interaction is required to load the malicious page.
Root Cause
The defect is classified under [CWE-119], indicating improper restriction of operations on memory buffers during CSS parsing or style resolution. The condition likely stems from an incorrect bounds check or a size calculation error when the CSS engine handles specific property values or selector structures. Google has not disclosed deeper technical specifics while patch deployment continues, and the Chromium issue tracker entry #504107363 remains restricted.
Attack Vector
Exploitation begins when a user visits a web page containing crafted CSS. The attacker-controlled markup triggers the memory corruption in the renderer process while styles are computed. The attacker then uses side-channel timing or scripted probing to exfiltrate the leaked memory contents to a remote endpoint. Delivery vectors include compromised websites, malvertising, and phishing links. For technical details as they become public, see the Google Chrome Stable Update and the Chromium Issue Tracker #504107363.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-113051
Indicators of Compromise
- Chrome renderer processes crashing with memory access violations shortly after loading external pages.
- Outbound HTTPS requests from browser sessions carrying unusually large base64-encoded payloads to unfamiliar domains.
- Browser telemetry showing Chrome versions below 156.0.8078.47 still in production use after the patch release.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed browser versions across managed endpoints and flag any Chrome build earlier than 156.0.8078.47.
- Monitor web proxy logs for pages serving large or obfuscated CSS payloads followed by anomalous outbound traffic from the client.
- Correlate renderer crash reports from Chrome's crashpad with the originating URL to identify suspicious pages.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable centralized collection of Chrome crash telemetry and browsing history where policy permits.
- Alert on first-contact domains loaded by users with inline third-party CSS imports.
- Track patch compliance through endpoint management reporting and software asset inventories.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-113051
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Google Chrome to version 156.0.8078.47 or later across all managed endpoints.
- Restart Chrome after update so the patched binaries load into memory on every workstation.
- Validate Chromium-based applications and embedded WebViews for upstream fixes from their vendors.
Patch Information
Google released the fix in the Stable channel update documented in the Google Chrome Stable Update. Administrators should deploy Chrome 156.0.8078.47 or later. For enterprise environments, use Chrome Browser Cloud Management or Group Policy to force the update and verify compliance through the chrome://version page or endpoint management reports.
Workarounds
- Restrict browsing to a vetted allow-list for high-value users until patches are deployed.
- Enable Chrome's Enhanced Safe Browsing to add server-side analysis of pages before rendering.
- Deploy site isolation and strict Content Security Policies on internal applications to reduce cross-origin data exposure.
# Verify Chrome version on Linux endpoints
google-chrome --version
# Force update via enterprise policy on Windows (PowerShell)
Set-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update' -Name 'UpdateDefault' -Value 1
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
