Cyber Threats
ParaSiteSnatcher: How Malicious Chrome Extensions Target Brazil
We detail the modular framework of malicious Chrome extensions that consist of various highly obfuscated components that leverage Google Chrome API to monitor, intercept, and exfiltrate victim data.
Our investigations on potential security threats uncovered a malicious Google Chrome extension that we named “ParaSiteSnatcher.” The ParaSiteSnatcher framework allows threat actors to monitor, manipulate, and exfiltrate highly sensitive information from multiple sources. ParaSiteSnatcher also utilises the powerful Chrome Browser API to intercept and exfiltrate all POST requests containing sensitive account and financial information before the HTTP request initiates a transmission control protocol (TCP) connection.
Our research shows that the malicious extension is specifically designed to target users in Latin America, particularly Brazil; it exfiltrates data from Banco do Brasil- and Caixa Econômica Federal (Caixa)-related URLs. It can also initiate and manipulate transactions in PIX, a Brazilian instant payment ecosystem, and payments made through Boleto Bancario, another payment method regulated by the Bank of Brazil. We also observed that it can exfiltrate Brazilian Tax ID numbers for both individuals and businesses, as well as cookies, including those used for Microsoft accounts.
Once installed, the extension manifests with the help of extensive permissions enabled through the Chrome extension, allowing it to manipulate web sessions, web requests, and track user interactions across multiple tabs using the Chrome tabs API. The malware includes various components that facilitate its operation, content scripts that enable malicious code injection into web pages, monitor Chrome tabs, and intercept user input and web browser communication.
It is worth noting that while ParaSiteSnatcher specifically targets Google Chrome browsers, the malicious extension will also work on browsers that support Chrome extension API and runtime, such as Chromium-based browsers like newer versions of Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera. These extensions could potentially be compatible with Firefox and Safari as well, but changes such as the browser namespace are necessary.
The ParaSiteSnatcher downloader
ParaSiteSnatcher is downloaded through a VBScript downloader hosted on Dropbox and Google Cloud and installed onto an infected system.
Our analysis has identified three distinct variants of the VBScript downloader, which are characterised by differing levels of obfuscation and complexity:
- Variant 1. This variant presents a straightforward approach where the payload is not obfuscated, making it relatively easier to analyse and understand.
- Variant 2. In this iteration, critical strings within the payload are obfuscated using a Reverse String technique. This adds a layer of complexity to the code, requiring a reverse operation to decipher the original content.
- Variant 3. This variant incorporates additional obfuscation techniques. It includes junk code that serves to confuse the analysis process, anti-debug and anti-tamper protections, alongside the use of randomly generated names for variables and functions to prevent easy pattern detection. It also utilises Reverse String obfuscation to further conceal the payload, presenting a more challenging structure for analysts to decipher.
Upon execution, the downloader performs an initial check for the presence of the %ProgramFiles%\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe file, and the %APPDATA%\%USERNAME% folder. If found not present, the script will terminate its process.
The malware establishes communication with the attacker’s C&C by constructing and sending a GET request to hxxps[:]//storage.googleapis[.]com/98jk3m5azb/-. The response from the server is an obfuscated list of URLs.
The malware then de-obfuscates this list with a series of string manipulations performed on the C&C response that reverses the string back to its original order. It then replaces specific characters with their correct counterparts to reconstruct the URLs:
- "[h]" is replaced with "https://", specifying the protocol part of the URL.
- "-" is replaced with ".", reconstructing the domain names.
- "_" is substituted with "/", fixing the path structure.
- ">" is replaced with ":", correcting port specifications.
Once the actual URLs are retrieved, they are used to download additional malicious modules masquerading as Google Chrome extensions.
The first URL from above list (hxxps[:]//rezumdolly[.]com:8443/api/alert) is used to register an infected system and notify the attacker. The malware first utilises the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service to perform a query against the Win32_OperatingSystem class, which retrieves details about the operating system that are subsequently sent to the attacker’s C&C server.
It then constructs a.json-formatted string that encapsulates several pieces of system information as follows:
- comp. The computer's name, which can be used to uniquely identify the system on a network.
- user. The registered user's name, providing insights into who uses or owns the system.
- version. The operating system version, indicating the specific build and potential vulnerabilities.
- arch. The architecture of the operating system (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit), which is useful for tailoring further attacks to the system's specifications.
- caption. A descriptive label for the operating system, often including the edition (e.g., Windows 10 Pro).
The malware uses the down() function to download and save ParaSiteSnatcher malicious extension modules on an infected system’s %APPDATA%\%USERNAME% directory.
The malware then attempts to locate and delete Chrome shortcuts by searching for any shortcuts that contain "chrome.lnk" in the Desktop, Public Desktop, and Quick Launch folders.
To achieve persistence on the victim’s system and load malicious execution on every execution, the malware creates a Google Chrome shortcut on the desktop, which is configured to launch the browser with custom startup parameters. These parameters include the specification of a default user profile directory and the initiation of a malicious browser extension housed within the user's application data folder. This process is engineered to ensure that the malicious extension is loaded each time Chrome is started via the created shortcut.
Extension and C&C communication
The communication mechanism employed by ParaSiteSnatcher Chrome extensions rely heavily on using the Chrome sendMessage API to communicate with various extension components when specific conditions are met.
When messages are received, the malicious Chrome extension executes internal functions on these events: some components pass along the targeted and processed and targeted data directly to the attacker C&C, while most of the other components contain logic that can receive and update commands directly from the threat actor.
The extension’s service worker, which we will discuss further into this blog, leverages the chrome.windows and chrome.tabs API for navigating and focusing the document object model (DOM) that other ParaSiteSnatcher components rely on.
Analysing ParaSiteSnatcher Chrome extension files
In this section we explore the various files that comprise the ParaSiteSnatcher Framework's malicious Chrome extension.
Every Google Chrome extension includes a manifest.json file in its root directory. This background manifest key contains essential information, such as the extension’s name, version, permissions, and any scripts associated with the Chrome extension. The extension uses a service worker (yyva.js) as part of its background processes for handling tasks, orchestrating modules and data synchronisation in the background.
The manifest.json file contains the following:
- Basic metadata. This includes the name, description, version, and author key of the browser extension.
- Service workers. These are JavaScript files that act as the extension's primary event handler. These events include more than just servicing web requests and can respond to events like navigating a new page, clicking notifications, and opening or closing tabs. Not that Chrome makes the critical distinction between a web service worker and an extension service worker to highlight that the extension service worker is more than just a web request proxy service. The service worker specified in the background key is the extension service worker.
- Content scripts. These allow developers to statistically load JavaScript files when webpages are opened that match a specific URL pattern.
- Permissions. These determine which capabilities are exposed to their respective extension.
In the sample of the ParaSiteSnatcher extension we investigated, we saw some critical content_script keys that determine what scripts are injected, where they are injected, and how they behave:
- matches. This type of key specifies the pattern to be used for matching. The<all_urls>value matches any URL that starts with a permitted scheme, such as http, https, and file.
- run_at. This key specifies when the script should be injected into the page, where thedocument_endvalue injects the script while the page resources are still loading.
- all_frames. This is a Boolean value. When set to true, the extension will inject scripts into all <iframe> elements even if the frame is not the topmost in the tab.
- persistent. When the persistent Boolean value is true, the extension developer can access thechrome.webRequest API to block or modify network requests. This is the only use case for setting the persistent boolean to true; by default, this value is set to false for performance reasons.
Additionally, the malicious extension contained host_permissions amongst the permissions in its manifest file. The host_permission key grants extra permissions for the extension’s API to read and modify host data such as accessing the API cookies, receiving events using the webRequest API, programmatically injecting scripts, bypassing tracking protections, and reading tab-specific metadata. It can also access XMLHttpRequest and fetch access to origins without cross-origin restrictions.
If an extension uses thehost_permissionskey, the user could be prompted to grant these permissions to the extension. As of June 2023, Safari, Firefox, and some Chromium-based browsers don't prompt the user during installation. In this malicious sample, thehost_permissionsallow the extension to read and modify all URLs using the<all_urls>value.
ParaSiteSnatcher also contains the permissions JSON key, which contains specific WebExtension API keywords that the extension requests to use. The malicious extension requests the following WebExtension JavaScript APIs:
- webNavigation. This API adds an event listener for various stages of navigation, such as in response to a user action, like clicking a link or adding a URL in the location bar.
- notifications. This API allows extensions to create and display notifications to users in the system tray.
- declarativeNetRequest. This API allows extensions to specify conditions and actions on handling network requests, allowing extensions to block and upgrade network requests without explicit host permissions.
- declarativeNetRequestFeedback. This API allows extensions to access functions and events that return information on declarative rules, such as those through the declarativeNetrequest API.
- scripting. The scripting API allows the insertion of JavaScript into websites, such as through the scripting.executeScript() and scripting.registerContentScripts() methods.
- webRequest. The webRequest API grants access to add event listeners to HTTP and WebSocket requests. These event listeners can receive detailed information about such requests, including the ability to modify and cancel these requests.
- storage. The storage API allows extensions to store and receive data and listen for changes in stored data.
- tabs. The tabs API allows extensions to interact with the Chrome browser’s tab system, including creating, modifying, and rearranging browser tabs. This powerful API also includes taking screenshots and communicating with a tab’s content scripts.
- activeTab. This API permits access to the currently active tab when users execute browser and page actions.
- cookies. The cookies API allows the extension to query and modify cookies and be notified of cooking changes.
It is important to note that many other API permissions exist inChrome for developers API Reference. From a security perspective, it is essential to understand that web browser extensions can declare many permissions, and not all extensions will request the user to grant explicit access. This highlights the essential need to understand what any downloaded extension does and its declared permission levels.
This component is an Extension Service Worker or Service Worker, the central event handler for Google Chrome extensions that handles web events and messages from other extension components. The extension service worker can respond tostandard service worker eventsin addition to extension events, such as navigating to a new page, clicking a notification, or closing a tab. This service worker is declared with the service_worker key.
In our research, all extension components are highly obfuscated, but after deobfuscating each component and cleaning up the code, we uncovered the following important extension service worker features working with the Chrome API:
- Event listening and handling. The yavvy.js service worker is tasked with listening for events using the chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener API. Within Chrome extensions, various components can leverage the Chrome API to message each other using the sendMessage API. The service worker is specifically tasked with listening for navigation, focus, and getcookies messages.
- Listening and intercepting POST requests. The yavvy.js service worker uses the Chrome.webRequest.onBeforeRequest.addListener to create a callback function to listen for web request events containing a POST request, as well as gather tab information using the chrome.tabs.get API, which it uses for analysis.
Despite its extensive listening, it is worth noting that ParaSiteSnatcher excludes local network addresses and C&C domain from its monitoring.
It also intercepts and monitors user activity, and handles the following messages received from other modules:
- messageDetails.type == 'focus'
- messageDetails.type == 'navigate'
- messageDetails.type == 'getcookie'
The functions that handle the navigate and focus events use the chrome.windows and chrome.tabs API for navigating and focusing the document object model (DOM). Other components of this malicious Chrome extension leverage these messages extensively.
This file is injected as a Chrome extension dependency and is a content script used primarily for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX) communication with the attacker C&C to exfiltrate sensitive data from infected users.
This primary content script in the malicious Chrome extension periodically monitors specific forms and elements on a webpage and sets up event listeners on certain buttons every two seconds. It leverages the Chrome runtime API using the chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener API method to listen for the custom messages passed between various extension events with the types, “lixo,” “cookie,” and “timer.” When events with these message types are initiated, they in turn trigger ParaSiteSnatcher to run these specific functions:
- Intercepting POST requests. The lixo message is a catch-all event and does not look for specific URL patterns. Instead, it tracks all POST requests in which the attackers search for sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, emails, and credit card information.
- Stealing cookies and user sessions. The cookie message sends a POST request to the attacker C&C for cookie and session theft.
- Stealing Microsoft cookies. When cookies matching Microsoft live.com exist, the sovvy.js file sends a message using the chrome.runtime.sendMessage API to send this data to the service worker, which processes this data to filter and extract the found Microsoft account cookies. These can be leveraged for account theft and pass-the-cookie attacks as well as pivoting to the cloud.
- Stealing Banking Details. Our investigation of ParaSiteSnatcher revealed that the malicious extension conducts multiple URL cheques related to Brazilian online banking companies, including Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal. When the victim interacts with URLs related to these financial institutions, the malicious Chrome extension begins processing the data, looking for items such as usernames, passwords, and credit cards numbers, and sending the data with a POST request to the attacker’s C&C.
- Fetching commands from the attacker’s C&C. Within this the sovvy.js script is the ability for the malicious Chrome extension to retrieve commands from the attacker C&C server with a standard HTTP GET request.
The 33nhuah.js file contains business logic to monitor bank account details and perform PIX instant payment actions. PIX is an instant payment platform created and regulated by the Banco Central do Brasil (Central Bank of Brazil).
Some key features of this content script include HTML templates for password input forms, definitions for enum type data representing command types, account information, PIX key types, and parameters for PIX transactions. This content script also contains functions to monitor bank account balances and perform PIX transactions. Additionally, there are functions that manipulate the user interface, such as setting and resetting forms, clicking on menu items, and hiding or loading process indicators.
This content script uses the standard HTML DOM selector to find specific elements containing sensitive PIX elements such as receiving PIX institution names, and user account information such as:
- CPF/CNPJ (Brazilian Individual & Business Taxpayer Registration) details
- Email addresses
- Cellphone numbers
- PIX Keys
The content script unpgp2.js is designed to navigate, focus, and interact with the internet banking interface of the Caixa Econômica Federal’s web interface. This content script performs various actions such as navigating pages, fetching account details, focusing on elements, executing financial transactions and initiating PIX transactions.
This content script primarily contains logic that is used to periodically monitor windows and tabs content specifically those that contain or are related to the following:
- Boleto Bancário
- The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas or Natural Persons Register) numbers of both the payer and receiver in transactions
- The CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Juridica or Taxpayer Identification) number of both the payer and receiver in transactions
- Bank payment slips
The logic contained in this content script is called during specific intervals to monitor the DOM and user-input through the sovvy.js content script. The s12ih0a.js content script will also POST elements such as telephone numbers and email addresses to the attacker C&C.
In the following table, we summarise the functions of each ParaSiteSnatcher extension component:
| Module Name | Functions |
| yyva.js | async function timerMonitor() function getCookies() async function navigate() async function setFocusTab() function addLog() async function analyzeRequest() |
| sovvy.js | function setCommandRetorno() function updatecmd() function timerMonitor() function postSession() function postLixo() function getcmd() function updatecmd() function updateStatusOn() function getVersion() function getUser() function getElement() function addlog() function trim() function toLowerCase() function extractDigits() function getForm() function preparePostData() function buildInputMap() function checkElementClick() function checkInputPost() function ValidateEmail() function GenerateToken() function SetToken() function updateUserId() |
| 33nhauh.js | function monitorBB() function resetCommand_BB() function getSaldo_BB() function clickMenuSaldo() function focoTab_BB() function hideProcesso() function action_pix_BB() function checkComprovante() function setSConta() function setValor() function setChave() function clickMenuPix() function clickMenu() function setAccountPasswordForm() function getAgencyAndAccountNumber() function resetAccountPasswordForm() |
| s12ih0a.js | function monitor2Via() function setEventDesco() function setEventBB() function click_isPagina() function setMessageDesco() function setMessageBB() function setHtmlBB() function setHtmlDesco() function getDadosSegundaVia() function post2Via() function checkDebugging() function innerFunction() |
| unpgp2.js | function monitorAzul() function get_azul_ass() function get_azul_Saldo() function focoTab_Azul() function resetCommand_Azul() function get_azul_agcc() function azul_pedidos_automaticos() |
Conclusion
The use of malicious Google Chrome extensions by leveraging the powerful Chrome API in ways specifically designed to intercept, exfiltrate, and potentially modify sensitive user data underscores the importance of being vigilant when granting permissions to extensions and when using web browsers. ParaSiteSnatcher’s multifaceted approach to obfuscate its arrival onto victim’s systems also ensures persistence and stealth, making detection and removal efforts challenging, so users should be doubly watchful of the specific extensions they download and instal onto their browsers.
Despite our investigations showing that ParaSiteSnatcher specifically targets Google Chrome browsers, users who utilise other browsers that are Chromium-based and that support various APIs used by Chrome extensions should be equally wary.
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
You can find the full list of ParaSiteSnatcher IoCs here.