SaaS | Browser Extension Weaponization

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Executive Snapshot Your extension allow-list assumes approved tools remain safe over time. A seven-year campaign just demonstrated that verified, featured browser extensions can operate legitimately for years before a silent update converts them into surveillance backdoors across 4.3 million users.

Signal Marketplaces review extensions only at submission; the trusted auto-update mechanism designed to keep users secure became the delivery channel for remote code execution without any user interaction.

Strategic Implication Your users approved these extensions years ago and forgot about them; attackers weaponized that dormant trust while your security model watched the perimeter.

Action Audit all browser extensions installed across corporate endpoints today. Block extensions with broad permissions to access all URLs and cookies now. Deploy behavioral monitoring for extension activity and disable automatic updates for unapproved add-ons this week.