CVE-2026-10002

Google · Chrome

A use-after-free vulnerability in the PDFium library within Google Chrome could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted PDF document.

Executive summary

A critical use-after-free vulnerability in Google Chrome's PDFium library presents a high risk of remote code execution and system compromise.

Vulnerability

The vulnerability exists in the PDFium component, which is responsible for rendering PDF files within the browser. This use-after-free condition occurs during the handling of document objects, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory if a user opens a malicious PDF file.

Business impact

The exploitation of this flaw could result in full browser compromise, potentially granting an attacker access to the user's local file system or sensitive session data. The CVSS score of 8.8 confirms that this is a high-severity issue that requires immediate attention to prevent potential data breaches or unauthorized access to corporate environments.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Apply the vendor-provided security updates by upgrading to the latest version of Google Chrome (148 or later).

Proactive Monitoring: Review security logs for anomalous browser behavior or unexpected process termination associated with PDF rendering.

Compensating Controls: Utilize browser-based security policies to restrict the execution of untrusted scripts or disable PDF viewing in high-risk environments if patching is delayed.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: false

Analyst recommendation

Organizations are strongly advised to expedite the patching process for all Chrome installations. Because PDF files are a common vector for malicious payloads, addressing this vulnerability is essential to maintaining a secure workstation environment and preventing potential remote exploitation.