type: attack-pattern
spec_version: 2.1
id: attack-pattern--278716b1-61ce-4a74-8d17-891d0c494101
created: 2025-03-30T22:12:27.799Z
created_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
revoked: no
external_references: source_name: mitre-attack
url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1176/001
external_id: T1176.001
source_name: Pulsedive
description:  Pulsedive Threat Research. (2025, March 21). Rilide - An Information Stealing Browser Extension. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
url: https://blog.pulsedive.com/rilide-an-information-stealing-browser-extension/
source_name: Chrome Extension Crypto Miner
description: Brinkmann, M. (2017, September 19). First Chrome extension with JavaScript Crypto Miner detected. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
url: https://www.ghacks.net/2017/09/19/first-chrome-extension-with-javascript-crypto-miner-detected/
source_name: xorrior chrome extensions macOS
description: Chris Ross. (2019, February 8). No Place Like Chrome. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
url: https://www.xorrior.com/No-Place-Like-Chrome/
source_name: Chrome Extensions Definition
description: Chrome. (n.d.). What are Extensions?. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
url: https://developer.chrome.com/extensions
source_name: ICEBRG Chrome Extensions
description: De Tore, M., Warner, J. (2018, January 15). MALICIOUS CHROME EXTENSIONS ENABLE CRIMINALS TO IMPACT OVER HALF A MILLION USERS AND GLOBAL BUSINESSES. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
url: https://www.icebrg.io/blog/malicious-chrome-extensions-enable-criminals-to-impact-over-half-a-million-users-and-global-businesses
source_name: Malicious Chrome Extension Numbers
description: Jagpal, N., et al. (2015, August). Trends and Lessons from Three Years Fighting Malicious Extensions. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
url: https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/research.google.com/en//pubs/archive/43824.pdf
source_name: Chrome Extension C2 Malware
description: Kjaer, M. (2016, July 18). Malware in the browser: how you might get hacked by a Chrome extension. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20240608001937/https://kjaer.io/extension-malware/
source_name: Catch All Chrome Extension
description: Marinho, R. (n.d.). "Catch-All" Google Chrome Malicious Extension Steals All Posted Data. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
url: https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/CatchAll+Google+Chrome+Malicious+Extension+Steals+All+Posted+Data/22976/https:/threatpost.com/malicious-chrome-extension-steals-data-posted-to-any-website/128680/)
source_name: Banker Google Chrome Extension Steals Creds
description: Marinho, R. (n.d.). (Banker(GoogleChromeExtension)).targeting. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
url: https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/BankerGoogleChromeExtensiontargetingBrazil/22722/
source_name: Browser Adrozek
description: Microsoft Threat Intelligence. (2020, December 10). Widespread malware campaign seeks to silently inject ads into search results, affects multiple browsers. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
url: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2020/12/10/widespread-malware-campaign-seeks-to-silently-inject-ads-into-search-results-affects-multiple-browsers/
source_name: Browers FriarFox
description: Raggi, Michael. Proofpoint Threat Research Team. (2021, February 25). TA413 Leverages New FriarFox Browser Extension to Target the Gmail Accounts of Global Tibetan Organizations. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
url: https://www.proofpoint.com/uk/blog/threat-insight/ta413-leverages-new-friarfox-browser-extension-target-gmail-accounts-global
source_name: Stantinko Botnet
description: Vachon, F., Faou, M. (2017, July 20). Stantinko: A massive adware campaign operating covertly since 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
url: https://www.welivesecurity.com/2017/07/20/stantinko-massive-adware-campaign-operating-covertly-since-2012/
source_name: Wikipedia Browser Extension
description: Wikipedia. (2017, October 8). Browser Extension. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_extension
object_marking_refs: marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168
modified: 2025-09-22T17:00:42.545Z
name: Browser Extensions
description: Adversaries may abuse internet browser extensions to establish persistent access to victim systems. Browser extensions or plugins are small programs that can add functionality to and customize aspects of internet browsers. They can be installed directly via a local file or custom URL or through a browser's app store - an official online platform where users can browse, install, and manage extensions for a specific web browser. Extensions generally inherit the web browser's permissions previously granted.(Citation: Wikipedia Browser Extension)(Citation: Chrome Extensions Definition) 
 
Malicious extensions can be installed into a browser through malicious app store downloads masquerading as legitimate extensions, through social engineering, or by an adversary that has already compromised a system. Security can be limited on browser app stores, so it may not be difficult for malicious extensions to defeat automated scanners.(Citation: Malicious Chrome Extension Numbers) Depending on the browser, adversaries may also manipulate an extension's update url to install updates from an adversary-controlled server or manipulate the mobile configuration file to silently install additional extensions. 

Adversaries may abuse how chromium-based browsers load extensions by modifying or replacing the Preferences and/or Secure Preferences files to silently install malicious extensions. When the browser is not running, adversaries can alter these files, ensuring the extension is loaded, granted desired permissions, and will persist in browser sessions. This method does not require user consent and extensions are silently loaded in the background from disk or from the browser's trusted store.(Citation: Pulsedive)
 
Previous to macOS 11, adversaries could silently install browser extensions via the command line using the profiles tool to install malicious .mobileconfig files. In macOS 11+, the use of the profiles tool can no longer install configuration profiles; however, .mobileconfig files can be planted and installed with user interaction.(Citation: xorrior chrome extensions macOS) 
 
Once the extension is installed, it can browse to websites in the background, steal all information that a user enters into a browser (including credentials), and be used as an installer for a RAT for persistence.(Citation: Chrome Extension Crypto Miner)(Citation: ICEBRG Chrome Extensions)(Citation: Banker Google Chrome Extension Steals Creds)(Citation: Catch All Chrome Extension) 

There have also been instances of botnets using a persistent backdoor through malicious Chrome extensions for [Command and Control](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0011).(Citation: Stantinko Botnet)(Citation: Chrome Extension C2 Malware) Adversaries may also use browser extensions to modify browser permissions and components, privacy settings, and other security controls for [Defense Evasion](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0005).(Citation: Browers FriarFox)(Citation: Browser Adrozek) 
kill_chain_phases: kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: persistence
x_mitre_attack_spec_version: 3.3.0
x_mitre_contributors: Gordon Long, LegioX/Zoom, asaurusrex
x_mitre_deprecated: no
x_mitre_domains: enterprise-attack
x_mitre_is_subtechnique: yes
x_mitre_modified_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
x_mitre_platforms: Linux
Windows
macOS
x_mitre_version: 1.1