Description
Use after free in TextEncoding in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.71 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Published: 2026-03-11
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Remote Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

A use‑after‑free bug in Chrome’s TextEncoding component can corrupt the heap, allowing a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code if the victim loads a crafted HTML page. The flaw leverages insecure memory handling identified as CWE‑416, and can compromise both confidentiality and integrity of the system running the browser. It is not a denial‑of‑service bug but may lead to full control over the user’s machine if exploited successfully.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects Google Chrome versions prior to 146.0.7680.71 on all supported operating systems, including macOS, Linux and Windows. The patch was released in the stable channel update for desktop browsers in March 2026, eliminating the issue in the new release.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.8 classifies this vulnerability as high severity, yet the EPSS score is below 1% and it is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, indicating a low current likelihood of exploitation. Nevertheless, a malicious website or email containing a specially crafted HTML document can target a user’s browser, making it a realistic, remote exploitation scenario. Because the flaw resides in client‑side code, any user who visits the malicious page under an unpatched Chrome installation is at risk.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 16, 2026 at 02:56 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade Google Chrome to version 146.0.7680.71 or later, which includes the full fix for the use‑after‑free bug.
  • Enable automatic updating for Chrome so future security patches are applied promptly.
  • If an immediate update is not possible, restrict the browser’s ability to execute JavaScript from untrusted sources by configuring policy settings to block or sandbox external content.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 16, 2026 at 02:56 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories
Source ID Title
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6164-1 chromium security update
History

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apple
Apple macos
Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Microsoft
Microsoft windows
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:google:chrome:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Apple
Apple macos
Linux
Linux linux Kernel
Microsoft
Microsoft windows

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Title chromium-browser: Use after free in TextEncoding
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

 threat_severity

Important

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Google
Google chrome
Vendors & Products Google
Google chrome

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Use after free in TextEncoding in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.71 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)
Weaknesses CWE-416
References

Subscriptions

Apple Macos
Google Chrome
Linux Linux Kernel
Microsoft Windows
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Chrome

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-13T03:55:34.820Z

Reserved: 2026-03-11T05:54:10.131Z

Link: CVE-2026-3921

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-12T13:11:21.497Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-03-11T22:16:34.603

Modified: 2026-03-13T15:42:29.203

Link: CVE-2026-3921

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Important

Publid Date: 2026-03-10T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-3921 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-16T03:00:09Z

Weaknesses