CVE-2026-79266

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Google Chrome DevTools

Publication date: 2026-08-25

Last updated on: 2026-08-31

Assigner: Chrome

Description

Use after free in DevTools in Google Chrome prior to 152.0.7977.65 allowed a remote attacker leveraging social engineering to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox via a crafted Chrome extension. (Chromium security severity: Medium)

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
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Meta Information

Published

2026-08-25

Last Modified

2026-08-31

Generated

2026-09-15

AI Q&A

2026-08-26

EPSS Evaluated

2026-09-14

NVD

CVE-2026-79266

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 Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.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 Google Chrome's DevTools. It allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside the sandbox by tricking a user into installing a malicious Chrome extension. The vulnerability exists in Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.65.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to Google Chrome versions prior to 152.0.7977.65 and involves a use-after-free issue in DevTools exploitable via malicious Chrome extensions. Detection should focus on verifying Chrome version and inspecting installed extensions for suspicious activity.

Impact Analysis

If you use Chrome versions before 152.0.7977.65, an attacker could exploit this by convincing you to install a crafted extension. This could lead to arbitrary code execution within Chrome's sandbox, potentially allowing the attacker to take control of your browser session or steal sensitive data.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability involves a use-after-free issue in Google Chrome's DevTools that could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code inside a sandbox via a crafted Chrome extension. Such vulnerabilities may lead to unauthorized access or data exfiltration, which could violate data protection principles under GDPR and HIPAA if sensitive user data is compromised.

Mitigation Strategies

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

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