CVE-2026-78939

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Google Chromecast via Chrome

Publication date: 2026-08-25

Last updated on: 2026-08-27

Assigner: Chrome

Description

Use after free in Chromecast in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-08-25

Last Modified

2026-08-27

Generated

2026-09-15

AI Q&A

2026-08-26

EPSS Evaluated

2026-09-13

NVD

CVE-2026-78939

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
google	chrome	to 152.0.7977.65 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-416	The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This is a use after free vulnerability in Chromecast within Google Chrome. It occurs when a program tries to use memory that has already been freed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution outside the sandbox. The issue is triggered by a crafted HTML page and allows a remote attacker who has compromised the renderer process to execute code with elevated privileges.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to Google Chrome version 152.0.7977.65 or earlier. To detect it, check your Chrome version via chrome://settings/help or command line. If outdated, update Chrome immediately. No direct detection commands exist as it requires sandbox escape via crafted HTML.

Impact Analysis

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to run malicious code on your device, bypassing security restrictions. This might lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, installation of malware, or further compromise of your system through the sandbox escape.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability is a use-after-free issue in Chromecast within Google Chrome, enabling remote code execution outside the sandbox. Such vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized data access or manipulation, which may violate GDPR (data protection) or HIPAA (health data security) requirements depending on the affected system and data processed.

Mitigation Strategies

Update Google Chrome to version 152.0.7977.65 or later to address the use after free vulnerability in Chromecast.

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