Browser Extension Risk Analysis via Source Code and Dynamic Behavior
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective measures to detect and assess the risk posed by web browser extensions, which can execute code and access sensitive information, posing a significant threat to user data and organizations due to their ability to be installed without oversight.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for analyzing web browser extensions by obtaining their source code, performing static and dynamic analysis to identify permissions, risky behaviors, and reputability, and generating an indication of risk, which includes comparing URLs to known malicious pages and detecting obfuscation, to provide an automated risk assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If web browser extensions are allowed to be installed without oversight, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment of browser extensions before they are allowed to run. The analysis system evaluates extension source code, permissions, and behavior patterns in advance, generating a risk score that determines whether the extension should be permitted to execute. This preliminary action prevents malicious extensions from being installed while allowing legitimate ones to operate freely.
2Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of browser extensions is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the browser extension environment to perform dynamic analysis. Instead of manually evaluating each extension, the system automatically executes the extension in a controlled virtual environment, captures its behavior, and compares it against known malicious patterns. This copying approach enables automated high-precision risk assessment without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical evaluation with automated computational analysis. The analysis system uses algorithms to parse extension source code, analyze permission structures, and evaluate behavior patterns automatically. This substitution of mechanical human evaluation with automated computational processes dramatically improves productivity while maintaining or enhancing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive source code analysis is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis system divides the complex task of extension risk assessment into multiple independent modules: source code parsing, permission analysis, behavior pattern recognition, and risk scoring. Each module handles a specific aspect of the analysis independently, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable while achieving comprehensive risk detection through the combination of these segmented analysis components.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and techniques for analyzing a web browser extension are disclosed. A method of analyzing a web browser extension comprises: obtaining source code of the web browser extension; analyzing the source code to determine a risk posed by the web browser extension; and generating an indication of risk posed by the web browser extension based on the analysis of the source code.