Seven More Chrome Extensions compromised to hijack traffic and substitute advertisements on users browsers

Chrome Extensions continue to get compromised, the initial compromise on Aug1, attackers used Copyfish extension to spread spam. Now add to the list another seven extensions has been compromised.

Attackers using phishing methods to steal account credentials of Author’s which results in hijacking traffic and exposing users to fake popups and password theft.

Proofpoint published a report that shows more extensions has been hijacked Web Developer 0.4.9” extension compromise, but found evidence that “Chrometana 1.1.3”, “Infinity New Tab 3.12.3” [8][10] , “CopyFish 2.8.5” [9], “Web Paint 1.2.1” [11], and “Social Fixer 20.1.1” [12]. They do believe TouchVPN and Betternet VPN also compromised.

According to their Proofpoint analysis, the compromised extension will check for the chrome extension for 10 minutes and then it uses to retrieve remote file ga.js over HTTPS secure connection.

Compromised version of the extension attempts to substitute ads on the victim’s browser, hijacking traffic from legitimate advertising networks.

Also read Google Fixes 26 High-Severity Flaws In Chrome Browser – Google Paid 70000$ to External Researchers

Compromised version of the extension attempts to substitute ads on the victim’s browser, hijacking traffic from legitimate advertising networks.

For ad units, attackers created well-crafted substitutions to hide adult websites.

Also, they use to generate a fake Java Script alert and then some affiliate programs receiving the Hijacked traffic.

An examination of the affiliate landing pages (program update[.]info, program update[.]info and searchtab[.]win) demonstrated that activity was “considerable.” According to Proofpoint, searchtab[.]win got 920,000 visits in one month. It’s vague the amount of that activity was created through the hijacked Chrome Extensions.

In addition to hijacking traffic and driving users to questionable affiliate programs, we have also observed them gathering and exfiltrating Cloudflare credentials, providing the actors with new means of potential future attacks. Says researchers from Proofpoint.

Also read Sophisticated Backdoor Called “Stantinko” Infected More Than 500,000 Computers