External risk intelligence

Chrome DevTools Use After Free Vulnerability Allows Code Execution

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.6)

CVE-2026-113116

This vulnerability exists within the DevTools component of a web browser, which is a client-side tool used by developers. It requires a user to interact with a specifically crafted HTML page within that environment, making it a client-side issue rather than a public-facing service, gateway, or internet-exposed infrastructure.

Use After Free

Halo Surface Signal: 1 out of 5 — much less likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability in Google Chrome's developer tools could allow a remote attacker to execute code outside the browser's secure sandbox by tricking a user into visiting a malicious webpage. While the reported severity is low, the potential for code execution warrants attention to confirm if this specific component is in use within the organization.

Browser developer tool flaw.
Low severity, but confirms exposure.
Investigate usage; assess relevant risk.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could entice a user to visit a malicious webpage, which would then interact with the browser's developer tools. This interaction could lead to the execution of arbitrary code, potentially allowing the attacker to bypass security restrictions.

Requires user interaction with a crafted page.
Triggers vulnerability in developer tools.
Risk of arbitrary code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A use-after-free vulnerability in Chrome's DevTools could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code outside the sandbox when a user visits a specially crafted HTML page. This could potentially impact the integrity and confidentiality of user data and system behavior within the affected browser.

User data and system integrity at risk.
Via crafted HTML page in DevTools.
Potentially arbitrary code execution.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability in Chrome's DevTools requires user interaction with a malicious HTML page, making it a client-side issue. The first practical step is to identify all instances of the affected Chrome version, determine their reachability and criticality, and locate the accountable owner, likely within application or platform teams. Remediation planning should then be risk-based, potentially involving coordination with vendor management if the affected Chrome version is centrally managed or distributed.

Identify affected Chrome deployments and owners.
Verify user interaction vectors and reachability.
Plan risk-based remediation based on criticality.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Google Chrome DevTools?

DevTools is a built-in suite of web authoring and debugging tools included in the Google Chrome browser. It allows developers to inspect, edit, and troubleshoot the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript of websites directly within the browser interface. Because it provides deep access to the browser's rendering engine and internal state, it is a specialized component typically utilized by web developers and designers.

What does CVE-2026-113116 mean by use-after-free?

A use-after-free is a memory management weakness categorized as CWE-416. It occurs when a program continues to use a pointer to a memory location after that memory has been cleared or released. If an attacker can manipulate the program into using that freed memory for their own data, they may be able to influence the application's behavior or, in this case, execute arbitrary code.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

The vulnerability is triggered when a user navigates to a specifically crafted HTML page that interacts with the browser's DevTools. It does not trigger during standard web browsing or routine site navigation. The attack requires the user to load the malicious content while the developer tools environment is active or specifically engaged by the crafted code.

Is my system at risk according to Halo Surface Signal?

Halo Surface Signal labels this risk as very unlikely. This is because the vulnerability resides in a client-side developer tool rather than a public-facing service or gateway. It is not an internet-exposed infrastructure issue; instead, it requires individual user interaction with malicious content within the browser environment.

How should I respond to this Chrome security update?

First, identify which systems or users in your organization are running the affected version of Chrome. Since this is a client-side risk, verify if your environment heavily utilizes DevTools for testing or development. Prioritize updating those specific workstations or managed browser instances to version 156.0.8078.47 or later to remove the vulnerable code.

References

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.