Malicious Browser Extensions Threaten Online Security
Recent research has unveiled a sophisticated technique that enables malicious web browser extensions to impersonate legitimate add-ons. This alarming discovery highlights a growing cybersecurity risk faced by users of popular Chromium-based browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera.
In a report released by SquareX, cybersecurity analysts reveal that attackers can create highly convincing replicas of genuine browser extensions. These “polymorphic extensions” mimic everything from the original icons to HTML popups and workflows, even going as far as temporarily disabling the legitimate extension. This pretense deceives victims into believing they are interacting with a trusted add-on, ultimately leading them to input sensitive credentials.
The implications of this attack are far-reaching. Compromised credentials can facilitate unauthorized access to personal and financial accounts, effectively enabling cybercriminals to hijack online identities. This method capitalizes on the common practice of users pinning their extensions to the browser toolbar, which makes them more susceptible to visual deception.
The attack typically begins with the deployment of a polymorphic extension disguised as a utility within the Chrome Web Store or other extension marketplaces. Once installed, the rogue extension operates under the guise of providing legitimate functionalities while secretly scanning for targeted extensions using a technique known as web resource hitting.
Upon pinpointing a specific target extension, the malicious add-on transforms itself, adopting the appearance of the legitimate counterpart. This is achieved by altering its icon and momentarily deactivating the actual extension through the “chrome.management” API, which removes it from the user’s toolbar. This clever manipulation exploits users’ reliance on visual cues, making the attack particularly effective.
In response to these developments, Google acknowledged the concerns raised by the research community. The company affirmed its commitment to enhancing the security of the Chrome Web Store and emphasized its proactive measures when addressing emerging threats.
This revelation comes just a month after Google disclosed another attack vector, known as Browser Syncjacking, which allows cybercriminals to gain control over a victim’s device through seemingly harmless extensions. These incidents underscore the pressing need for greater vigilance in cybersecurity practices, particularly concerning browser extensions.
From the perspective of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, these attacks likely employ various adversary tactics and techniques, including initial access via compromised extensions, persistence through continued visual deception, and privilege escalation by misleading users into granting permissions. As threats evolve, the significance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Business owners and tech professionals must remain informed and proactive to safeguard sensitive information against these sophisticated attack methods.
