CVE-2026-5281: Google Chrome · Use After Free
Affects Google ChromeSource CVE Database V5
Exploited in the wild · KEV due 15 Apr 2026 · 13% EPSS : upgrade to 146.0.7680.178 now.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 11:52 UTC
- KEV deadline
- US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else. Other KEV due dates
- EPSS
- 13.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 96% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 146.0.7680.178
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 1 Apr 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: evidence found.
Public exploit code: GitHub proofs of concept
Exploited in the wildExploited: evidence found.
Listed in CISA KEV the same day as disclosure
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by Chrome
, 9 hours before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
In Threat Radar
record ingested
, 12 minutes after disclosure
Added to CISA KEV (opens in a new tab)
exploitation confirmed
, the same day as disclosure
KEV remediation due
US federal deadline
, 14 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), GitHub proofs of concept, CISA KEV (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade Google Chrome to 146.0.7680.178.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| GoogleChrome | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Description
CVE-2026-5281 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Dawn component of Google Chrome versions prior to 146.0.7680.178. This flaw allows a remote attacker who has compromised the renderer process to execute arbitrary code by delivering a crafted HTML page. The vulnerability has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits in the wild have been reported. The vulnerability affects Chrome desktop versions before 146.0.