Chrome browser extensions can steal passwords from the text input fields in websites, despite Chrome's latest security and privacy standard, Manifest V3.

cross-posted from [email protected]

Original source: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2308.16321.pdf

  • Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that Chrome browser extensions can still steal passwords, despite compliance with Chrome’s latest security standard, Manifest V3.
  • A proof of concept extension successfully passed the Chrome Web Store review process, demonstrating the vulnerability.
  • The core issue lies in the extensions’ full access to the Document Object Model (DOM) of web pages, allowing them to interact with text input fields like passwords.
  • Analysis of existing extensions showed that 12.5% had the permissions to exploit this vulnerability, identifying 190 extensions that directly access password fields.
  • Researchers propose two fixes: a JavaScript library for websites to block unwanted access to password fields, and a browser-level alert system for password field interactions.
  • @suction
    18•1 year ago

    What exactly makes Firefox more resistant against malicious extensions?

    • Norgur
      16•1 year ago

      Nothing really. The way add-ons interact with web pages is very similar.

      • @suction
        4•1 year ago

        Yeah. That’s why I don’t understand how using Firefox would be solution to this. The only solution is to not use extensions.

    • @[email protected]
      5•1 year ago

      Firefox requires explicit user interaction to grant the all_urls permission, although this only applies to Manifest V3. Here’s what it looks like on my extension:

      I could’ve just reverted to Manifest V2 to avoid that step, but V3 will probably become mandatory someday.

      • chiisana
        1•1 year ago

        Doesn’t chrome also need this? I know I get prompted to re-enable all urls permission every now and then when there’s a significant chrome and/or extension update.

        • @[email protected]
          4•1 year ago

          On Chrome, I only ever recall seeing the dialog when I install an extension, or if an extension is updated to use additional permissions.

          Firefox MV3 is different, in that the all_urls permission cannot be granted on install. If an extension requests all_urls, it installs with the permission disabled. The user has to manually enable it for one site or all.

          IPvFoo is mostly useless without all_urls, which is why I made it show that button until the permission is granted.

          • chiisana
            1•1 year ago

            I see! Yeah I think Chrome asks one time on install and most users just blindly accept everything. Prompting on first actual use is a good idea.