Source URL: https://cyberinsider.com/polymorphic-chrome-extensions-impersonate-password-managers-to-steal-credentials/
Source: Hacker News
Title: Polymorphic Chrome Extensions Impersonate Password Managers to Steal Credentials
Feedly Summary: Comments
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The emergence of polymorphic browser extensions presents a significant security threat, particularly to users relying on legitimate extensions for secure tasks. These malicious extensions cleverly impersonate existing ones, executing sophisticated techniques to steal sensitive information. The findings underline the need for enhanced monitoring and user awareness to counter this innovative malicious strategy.
Detailed Description:
– A new type of browser-based malware called “polymorphic extensions” has been discovered, designed to impersonate legitimate extensions, particularly password managers.
– Identified by researchers from SquareX Labs, these extensions exploit popular Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, posing serious risks to users engaged in sensitive activities.
– The attack involves four main phases:
1. **Infiltration and Social Engineering**:
– Attackers disguise the malicious extension as useful software, utilizing tactics like social media promotions and fake testimonials to persuade users to install it.
– Initially, these extensions function benignly, which helps in maintaining a façade of legitimacy.
2. **Identifying a Target Extension**:
– Once installed, the polymorphic extension scans existing installed extensions using methods like:
– Exploiting the Chrome Management API to identify which extensions are present,
– Injecting scripts into web pages to locate specific assets associated with well-known extensions (e.g., icons, scripts).
3. **Impersonation and Data Theft**:
– Upon interaction with a legitimate extension (e.g., clicking a password manager), the polymorphic extension:
– Disables the real extension, hiding its icon temporarily,
– Places a fake version in its place, mimicking the original,
– Requests user credentials through a login prompt that appears identical to the legitimate extension,
– Sends the stolen information to an attacker-controlled server.
– This strategy is reactive and contextually triggered, allowing the attack to bypass standard security scans discreetly.
4. **Mitigating the Threat**:
– The inherent design of the browser extensions and permissions used complicates mitigation strategies. To counter such threats, SquareX proposes:
– Imposing restrictions on rapid changes to extension icons and HTML structures,
– Instituting user notifications for such modifications,
– Enhancing permissions monitoring for extensions needing access to sensitive APIs to prevent exploitation.
The novel approach of using polymorphic extensions showcases the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the vital need for ongoing security improvement in web browser ecosystems. Security and compliance professionals must recognize these risks to implement effective defense strategies and safeguard sensitive data effectively.