CVE-2022-28795 in Password Manager Browser Extensions
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
A vulnerability within the Avira Password Manager Browser Extensions provided a potential loophole where, if a user visited a page crafted by an attacker, the discovered vulnerability could trigger the Password Manager Extension to fill in the password field automatically. An attacker could then access this information via JavaScript. The issue was fixed with the browser extensions version 2.18.5 for Chrome, MS Edge, Opera, Firefox, and Safari.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28795 resides within the Avira Password Manager browser extensions, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the fundamental purpose of password management tools. This weakness specifically affects multiple browser platforms including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Firefox, and Safari, creating a widespread impact across the browser ecosystem. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of automated password field filling mechanisms within the browser extension's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that directly compromises user authentication security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that can trigger the password manager extension to automatically populate password fields without proper user consent or verification. This occurs through a combination of JavaScript manipulation and browser extension API misuse that bypasses normal security boundaries. When users navigate to these specifically crafted pages, the extension's automatic filling mechanism is activated in an unintended manner, causing sensitive credential information to be exposed through JavaScript access points. The flaw essentially creates a bypass of the normal user interaction requirements that should govern when and how password information is automatically filled into web forms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it represents a significant breach in the trust model that users place in password management extensions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to harvest passwords from unsuspecting users without requiring any sophisticated social engineering or additional authentication bypass techniques. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it only requires users to visit malicious websites, making it difficult to defend against through traditional user education methods alone. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.005 related to credentials from password stores.
The remediation for this vulnerability involved updating the browser extensions to version 2.18.5 across all supported platforms, which included implementing stricter validation mechanisms for automatic password filling triggers. The fix addresses the root cause by enhancing the extension's input sanitization processes and strengthening the boundary checks that govern when automated credential filling can occur. Security researchers and developers have identified this as a critical issue that required immediate attention due to its potential for widespread exploitation and the sensitive nature of the compromised data. The resolution demonstrates the importance of maintaining robust security practices in browser extension development and highlights the need for continuous security auditing of third-party tools that handle sensitive user information. Organizations should immediately update to the patched versions and monitor for any continued suspicious activity related to password manager extensions.