A new bug affecting the Chrome browser has been found, which
reportedly allows drive-by installations of apps on users' handsets
without their knowledge. Apps can then extract users' personal
information and send it back to the malware author.
Security
website Extension Defender reports that the Chrome browser extension bug
"allows the company behind it to install an app on your phone without
you providing your permission or ever even knowing it was installed."
The
website notes
that a company called Revjet.io which calls itself a "browser extension
monetization" service uses code from another website, Vulcun.com, which
enables the background installations. Vulcun.com is a desktop-to-mobile
ad server, which lets developers integrate advertisements into their
apps.
However, the small snippet of code runs periodically in the
background and waits for an opportunity to install apps without a user
noticing. The confirmation dialog and permission prompts are also hidden
from users. App developers sometimes pay for ads which deliver
click-throughs and app installs, so the ad service can make money by
delivering installations whether or not users want them. Extension
Defender notes that some of the apps used by the malware include
3Dnator, FB Auto-Poker, Post To Tumblr, and Alert Control.
Google has not responded to the report and is yet to take some steps to deal with the threat.
In
related news, a report from earlier this month
highlighted a Wi-Fi related bug that is causes trouble when users
running the latest build of Android on a Nexus device try hooking up to a
Wi-Fi network. The bug does not seem to have affected non-Nexus devices
so far. Google, however, has acknowledged that issue and will issue an
update soon.
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