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Browser extensions are written in JavaScript and loaded by the browser in the background. It has its [DOM](https://www.w3schools.com/js/js\_htmldom.asp) but can interact with other sites' DOMs. This means that it may compromise other sites' confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA).
Each content script has direct access to the DOM of a **single web page** and is thereby exposed to **potentially malicious input**. However, the content script contains no permissions other than the ability to send messages to the extension core.
### **Extension Core**
The extension core contains most of the extension privileges/access, but the extension core can only interact with web content via [XMLHttpRequest](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/XMLHttpRequest) and content scripts. Also, the extension core does not have direct access to the host machine.
### **Native Binary**
The extension allows a native binary that can **access the host machine with the user’s full privileges.** The native binary interacts with the extension core through the standard Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface ([NPAPI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPAPI)) used by Flash and other browser plug-ins.
### Boundaries
{% hint style="danger" %}
To obtain the user's full privileges, an attacker must convince the extension to pass malicious input from the content script to the extension's core and from the extension's core to the native binary.
Each component of the extension is separated from each other by **strong protective boundaries**. Each component runs in a **separate operating system process**. Content scripts and extension cores run in **sandbox processes** unavailable to most operating system services.
Moreover, content scripts separate from their associated web pages by **running in a separate JavaScript heap**. The content script and web page have **access to the same underlying DOM**, but the two **never exchange JavaScript pointers**, preventing the leaking of JavaScript functionality.
## **`manifest.json`**
A Chrome extension is just a ZIP folder with a [.crx file extension](https://www.lifewire.com/crx-file-2620391). The extension's core is the **`manifest.json`** file at the root of the folder, which specifies layout, permissions, and other configuration options.
Content scripts are **loaded** whenever the user **navigates to a matching page**, in our case any page matching the **`https://example.com/*`** expression and not matching the **`*://*/*/business*`** regex. They execute **like the page’s own scripts** and have arbitrary access to the page’s [Document Object Model (DOM)](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Document\_Object\_Model).
This is an example content script which will add an explain button to the page when [the storage API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/API/storage) to retrieve the `message` value from extension’s storage.
A message is sent to the extension pages by the content script when this button is clicked, through the utilization of the [**runtime.sendMessage() API**](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/API/runtime/sendMessage). This is due to the content script's limitation in direct access to APIs, with `storage` being among the few exceptions. For functionalities beyond these exceptions, messages are sent to extension pages which content scripts can communicate with.
Depending on the browser, the capabilities of the content script may vary slightly. For Chromium-based browsers, the capabilities list is available in the [Chrome Developers documentation](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/mv3/content\_scripts/#capabilities), and for Firefox, the [MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Content\_scripts#webextension\_apis) serves as the primary source.\
It is also noteworthy that content scripts have the ability to communicate with background scripts, enabling them to perform actions and relay responses back.
For viewing and debugging content scripts in Chrome, the Chrome developer tools menu can be accessed from Options > More tools > Developer tools OR by pressing Ctrl + Shift + I.
Upon the developer tools being displayed, the **Source tab** is to be clicked, followed by the **Content Scripts** tab. This allows for the observation of running content scripts from various extensions and the setting of breakpoints to track the execution flow.
Note that **Content Scripts aren't mandatory** as it's also possible to **dynamically****inject** scripts and to **programatically inject them** in web pages via **`tabs.executeScript`**. This actually provides more **granular controls**.
For the programmatic injection of a content script, the extension is required to have [host permissions](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/permissions) for the page into which the scripts are to be injected. These permissions may be secured either by **requesting them** within the manifest of the extension or on a temporary basis through [**activeTab**](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/manifest/activeTab).
Messages sent by content scripts are received by the **background page**, which serves a central role in coordinating the extension's components. Notably, the background page persists across the extension's lifetime, operating discreetly without direct user interaction. It possesses its own Document Object Model (DOM), enabling complex interactions and state management.
* **Background Page Role:** Acts as the nerve center for the extension, ensuring communication and coordination among various parts of the extension.
* **Persistence:** It's an ever-present entity, invisible to the user but integral to the extension's functionality.
* **Automatic Generation:** If not explicitly defined, the browser will automatically create a background page. This auto-generated page will include all the background scripts specified in the extension's manifest, ensuring the seamless operation of the extension's background tasks.
The convenience provided by the browser in automatically generating a background page (when not explicitly declared) ensures that all necessary background scripts are integrated and operational, streamlining the extension's setup process.
It uses [runtime.onMessage API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/API/runtime/onMessage) to listen to messages. When an `"explain"` message is received, it uses [tabs API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/API/tabs) to open a page in a new tab.
To debug the background script you could go to the **extension details and inspect the service worker,** this will open the developer tools with the background script:
* Pages that the extension will **load in a new tab**.
* **Option Pages**: This page displays on top of the extension when clicked. In the previous manifest In my case I was able to access this page in `chrome://extensions/?options=fadlhnelkbeojnebcbkacjilhnbjfjca` or clicking:
Note that these pages aren't persistent like background pages as they load dynamically content on necessity. Despite this, they share certain capabilities with the background page:
* **Communication with Content Scripts:** Similar to the background page, these pages can receive messages from content scripts, facilitating interaction within the extension.
* **Access to Extension-Specific APIs:** These pages enjoy comprehensive access to extension-specific APIs, subject to the permissions defined for the extension.
**`permissions`** and **`host_permissions`** are entries from the `manifest.json` that will indicate **which permissions** the browser extensions has (storage, location...) and in **which web pages**.
As browser extensions can be so **privileged**, a malicious one or one being compromised could allow the attacker **different means to steal sensitive information and spy on the user**.
Check how these settings work and how thye could get abused in:
in order for a webpage to access a page of a Browser Extension, a `.html` page for example, this page needs to be mentioned in the **`web_accessible_resources`** field of the `manifest.json`.\
For example:
```javascript
{
...
"web_accessible_resources": [
{
"resources": [ "images/*.png" ],
"matches": [ "https://example.com/*" ]
},
{
"resources": [ "fonts/*.woff" ],
"matches": [ "https://example.com/*" ]
}
],
...
}
```
These pages are accesible in URL like:
```
chrome-extension://<extension-id>/message.html
```
In public extensions the **extension-id is accesible**:
Allowing these pages to be loaded only by the extension and not by random URLs could prevent CLickJacking attacks.
{% endhint %}
### `externally_connectable`
A per the [**docs**](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/manifest/externally-connectable), The `"externally_connectable"` manifest property declares **which extensions and web pages can connect** to your extension via [runtime.connect](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/runtime#method-connect) and [runtime.sendMessage](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/runtime#method-sendMessage).
* If the **`externally_connectable`** key is **not** declared in your extension's manifest or it's declared as **`"ids": ["*"]`**, **all extensions can connect, but no web pages can connect**.
* If **matches** are specified, those web apps will be able to connect:
```json
"matches": [
"https://*.google.com/*",
"*://*.chromium.org/*",
```
* If it's specified as empty: **`"externally_connectable": {}`**, no app or web will be able to connect.
The **less extensions and URLs** indicated here, the **smaller the attack surface** will be.
{% hint style="danger" %}
If a web page **vulnerable to XSS or takeover** is indicated in **`externally_connectable`**, an attacker will be able to **send messages directly to the background script**, completely bypassing the Content Script and its CSP.
Moreover, if the client installs a rouge extension, even if it isn't allowed to communicate with the vulnerable extension, it could inject **XSS data in an allowed web page** or abuse **`WebRequest`** or **`DeclarativeNetRequest`** APIs to manipulate requests on a targeted domain altering a page's request for a **JavaScript file**. (Note that CSP on the targeted page could prevent these attacks). This idea comes [**from this writeup**](https://www.darkrelay.com/post/opera-zero-day-rce-vulnerability).
The environments where **content scripts** operate and where the host pages exist are **separated** from one another, ensuring **isolation**. Despite this isolation, both have the ability to interact with the page's **Document Object Model (DOM)**, a shared resource. For the host page to engage in communication with the **content script**, or indirectly with the extension through the content script, it is required to utilize the **DOM** that is accessible by both parties as the communication channel.
* **Source**: `received_message.source !== window` can be used to check if the message was **from the same window** where the Content Script is listening.
The previous checks, even if performed, could be vulnerable, so check in the following page **potential Post Message bypasses**:
Another possible way of communication might be through **Iframe URLs**, you can find an example in:
{% content-ref url="browext-xss-example.md" %}
[browext-xss-example.md](browext-xss-example.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### DOM
This isn't "exactly" a communication way, but the **web and the content script will have access to the web DOM**. So, if the **content script** is reading some information from it, **trusting the web DOM**, the web could **modify this dat**a (because the web shouldn't be trusted, or because the web is vulnerable to XSS) and **compromise the Content Script**.
You can also find an example of a **DOM based XSS to compromise a browser extension** in:
{% content-ref url="browext-xss-example.md" %}
[browext-xss-example.md](browext-xss-example.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}
## Sensitive Information in Memory/Code
If a Browser Extension stores **sensitive information inside it's memory**, this could be **dumped** (specially in Windows machines) and **searched** for this information.
Therefore, the memory of the Browser Extension **shouldn't be considered secure** and **sensitive information** such as credentials or mnemonic phrases **shouldn't be stored**.
Of course, do **not put sensitive information in the code**, as it will be **public**.
## Content Script **↔︎** Background Script Communication
A Content Script can use the functions [**runtime.sendMessage()**](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/runtime#method-sendMessage) **or** [**tabs.sendMessage()**](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/tabs#method-sendMessage) to send a **one-time JSON-serializable** message.
To handle the **response**, use the returned **Promise**. Although, for backward compatibility, you can still pass a **callback** as the last argument.
Sending a request from a **content script** looks like this:
Sending a request from the **extension** (usually a **background script**) A Content Script can use the functions, except that you need to specify which tab to send it to. Example of how to send message to the content script in the selected tab:
// do something with response here, not outside the function
console.log(response);
})();
```
On the **receiving end**, you need to set up an [**runtime.onMessage**](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/runtime#event-onMessage) **event listener** to handle the message. This looks the same from a content script or extension page.
In the example highlighted, **`sendResponse()`** was executed in a synchronous fashion. To modify the `onMessage` event handler for asynchronous execution of `sendResponse()`, it's imperative to incorporate `return true;`.
An important consideration is that in scenarios where multiple pages are set to receive `onMessage` events, **the first page to execute `sendResponse()`** for a specific event will be the only one able to deliver the response effectively. Any subsequent responses to the same event will not be taken into account.
When crafting new extensions, the preference should be towards promises as opposed to callbacks. Concerning the use of callbacks, the `sendResponse()` function is considered valid only if it's executed directly within the synchronous context, or if the event handler indicates an asynchronous operation by returning `true`. Should none of the handlers return `true` or if the `sendResponse()` function is removed from memory (garbage-collected), the callback associated with the `sendMessage()` function will be triggered by default.
The source code of a Chrome extension can be downloaded as a ZIP file using the command line. This involves using `curl` to fetch the ZIP file from a specific URL and then extracting the contents of the ZIP file to a directory. Here are the steps:
1. Replace `"extension_id"` with the actual ID of the extension.
Another convenient method is using the Chrome Extension Source Viewer, which is an open-source project. It can be installed from the [Chrome Web Store](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-extension-source-v/jifpbeccnghkjeaalbbjmodiffmgedin?hl=en). The source code of the viewer is available in its [GitHub repository](https://github.com/Rob--W/crxviewer).
### View source of locally installed extension
Chrome extensions installed locally can also be inspected. Here's how:
Go to the Chrome Web Store and download the extension. The file will have a `.crx` extension. Change the file extension from `.crx` to `.zip`. Use any file archiver (like WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc.) to extract the contents of the ZIP file.
Open Chrome and go to `chrome://extensions/`. Enable "Developer mode" at the top right. Click on "Load unpacked extension...". Navigate to the directory of your extension. This doesn't download the source code, but it's useful for viewing and modifying the code of an already downloaded or developed extension.
Even though Browser Extensions have a **limited attack surface**, some of them might contain **vulnerabilities** or **potential hardening improvements**. The following ones are the most common ones:
* [ ]**Limit** as much as possible requested **`permissions`**
* [ ]**Limit** as much as possible **`host_permissions`**
* [ ] Use a **strong****`content_security_policy`**
* [ ]**Limit** as much as possible the **`externally_connectable`**, if none is needed and possible, do not leave it by default, specify **`{}`**
* [ ] If **URL vulnerable to XSS or to takeover** is mentioned here, an attacker will be able to **send messages to the background scripts directly**. Very powerful bypass.
* [ ]**Limit** as much as possible the **`web_accessible_resources`**, even empty if possible.
* [ ] If **`web_accessible_resources`** is not none, check for [**ClickJacking**](browext-clickjacking.md)
* [ ] If any **communication** occurs from the **extension** to the **web page**, [**check for XSS**](browext-xss-example.md) **vulnerabilities** caused in the communication.
* [ ] If Post Messages are used, check for [**Post Message vulnerabilities**](../postmessage-vulnerabilities/)**.**
* [ ] If the **Content Script access DOM details**, check that they **aren't introducing a XSS** if they get **modified** by the web
* [ ] Make a special emphasis if this communication is also involved in the **Content Script -> Background script communication**
* [ ]**Sensitive information shouldn't be stored** inside the Browser Extension **code**
* [ ]**Sensitive information shouldn't be stored** inside the Browser Extension **memory**
* Pulls any Chrome extension from a provided Chrome webstore link.
* [**manifest.json**](https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/manifest) **viewer**: simply displays a JSON-prettified version of the extension’s manifest.
* **Fingerprint Analysis**: Detection of [web\_accessible\_resources](https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/manifest/web\_accessible\_resources) and automatic generation of Chrome extension fingerprinting JavaScript.
* **Potential Clickjacking Analysis**: Detection of extension HTML pages with the [web\_accessible\_resources](https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/manifest/web\_accessible\_resources) directive set. These are potentially vulnerable to clickjacking depending on the purpose of the pages.
* **Permission Warning(s) viewer**: which shows a list of all the Chrome permission prompt warnings which will be displayed upon a user attempting to install the extension.
* **Dangerous Function(s)**: shows the location of dangerous functions which could potentially be exploited by an attacker (e.g. functions such as innerHTML, chrome.tabs.executeScript).
* **Entry Point(s)**: shows where the extension takes in user/external input. This is useful for understanding an extension’s surface area and looking for potential points to send maliciously-crafted data to the extension.
* Both the Dangerous Function(s) and Entry Point(s) scanners have the following for their generated alerts:
* Relevant code snippet and line that caused the alert.
* Description of the issue.
* A “View File” button to view the full source file containing the code.
* The path of the alerted file.
* The full Chrome extension URI of the alerted file.
* The type of file it is, such as a Background Page script, Content Script, Browser Action, etc.
* If the vulnerable line is in a JavaScript file, the paths of all of the pages where it is included as well as these page’s type, and [web\_accessible\_resource](https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/manifest/web\_accessible\_resources) status.
* **Content Security Policy (CSP) analyzer and bypass checker**: This will point out weaknesses in your extension’s CSP and will also illuminate any potential ways to bypass your CSP due to whitelisted CDNs, etc.
* **Known Vulnerable Libraries**: This uses [Retire.js](https://retirejs.github.io/retire.js/) to check for any usage of known-vulnerable JavaScript libraries.
* Download extension and formatted versions.
* Download the original extension.
* Download a beautified version of the extension (auto prettified HTML and JavaScript).
* Automatic caching of scan results, running an extension scan will take a good amount of time the first time you run it. However the second time, assuming the extension hasn’t been updated, will be almost instant due to the results being cached.
* Linkable Report URLs, easily link someone else to an extension report generated by tarnish.
### [Neto](https://github.com/elevenpaths/neto)
Project Neto is a Python 3 package conceived to analyse and unravel hidden features of browser plugins and extensions for well-known browsers such as Firefox and Chrome. It automates the process of unzipping the packaged files to extract these features from relevant resources in a extension like `manifest.json`, localization folders or Javascript and HTML source files.
## References
* **Thanks to** [**@naivenom**](https://twitter.com/naivenom) **for the help with this methodology**
<summary><strong>Learn AWS hacking from zero to hero with</strong><ahref="https://training.hacktricks.xyz/courses/arte"><strong>htARTE (HackTricks AWS Red Team Expert)</strong></a><strong>!</strong></summary>
* If you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks** or **download HackTricks in PDF** Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!
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