CVE-2026-5281: Use after free in Dawn

Published Mar 10, 2026
·
Updated

Chromium: CVE-2026-5281 Use after free in Dawn

Other sources

Google Dawn contains an use-after-free vulnerability that could allow a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. This vulnerability could affect multiple Chromium-based products including, but not limited to, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

CISA

This CVE was assigned by Chrome. Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) ingests Chromium, which addresses this vulnerability. Please see Google Chrome Releases for more information. Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2026-5281 exists in the wild.

Microsoft

Use after free in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 146.0.7680.178 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

MITRE

Credit

86ac1f1587b71893ed2ad792cd7dde32

Affected Software

9 affected componentsFixes available
Google Chrome<146.0.7680.178
Google Chrome<146.0.7680.177
146.0.7680.177
Google Dawn
All of the following
Google Chrome<146.0.7680.177
Any of the following
Apple macOS
Linux Linux kernel
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
Microsoft Edge<146.0.3856.97

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 146.0.7680.177
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Google Chrome (Chromium-based) / Dawn to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 146.0.7680.178
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) / Dawn to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch CVE-2026-5281

Event History

Mar 10, 2026
CVE Published
12:00 AM
Known Exploited
12:00 AM
Data Sourced
12:00 AM
SeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Apr 1, 2026
Data Sourced
via CISA·12:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionAffected Software
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:41 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:41 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:16 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
News Published
via BleepingComputer·10:25 AM
News Published
via BleepingComputer·10:26 AM
Apr 3, 2026
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·01:46 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·01:46 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
Feb 13, 58282
Event
via FIRST·06:39 PM

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-5281?

The severity of CVE-2026-5281 is classified as High.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-5281?

To fix CVE-2026-5281, update Google Chrome to version 146.0.7680.178 or later.

3

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-5281?

CVE-2026-5281 is a use after free vulnerability in the Dawn component of Google Chrome.

4

Who can exploit CVE-2026-5281?

A remote attacker who has compromised the renderer process can exploit CVE-2026-5281.

5

What can attackers do with CVE-2026-5281?

Attackers can execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTML page due to CVE-2026-5281.

Contact

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