CVE-2025-0446: Google Chrome Extensions UI Spoofing Flaw

CVE-2025-0446 Overview

CVE-2025-0446 is a user interface (UI) spoofing vulnerability in the Extensions component of Google Chrome. The flaw affects versions prior to 132.0.6834.83 on the desktop stable channel. A remote attacker can exploit the issue by distributing a crafted Chrome Extension and convincing the user to perform specific UI gestures. Successful exploitation permits spoofing of browser UI elements, which can mislead users about the origin or authenticity of content. Chromium security assigned this issue a low severity rating, and it maps to CWE-451: User Interface Misrepresentation of Critical Information.

Critical Impact
Attackers can spoof browser UI through a crafted extension, enabling deceptive interactions that undermine user trust decisions such as permission prompts and origin indicators.

Affected Products

Google Chrome desktop versions prior to 132.0.6834.83
Chromium-based browsers incorporating vulnerable Extensions component code
Environments permitting installation of untrusted third-party Chrome Extensions

Discovery Timeline

2025-01-15 - CVE-2025-0446 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0446

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in how the Extensions subsystem in Chrome renders and manages UI elements exposed to extension code. An inappropriate implementation permits a crafted extension to present interface elements that misrepresent legitimate Chrome UI. The attacker must convince the user to install the extension and perform specific UI gestures. This is a user interaction dependent flaw with limited integrity impact and no direct confidentiality or availability consequences. The class of issue aligns with CWE-451, where security-relevant UI is misrepresented to the user.

Root Cause

The root cause is inadequate isolation or validation between extension-controlled UI surfaces and trusted browser chrome. The Extensions component fails to enforce constraints that would prevent an extension from drawing or manipulating UI in a manner indistinguishable from native Chrome dialogs, notifications, or origin indicators. See the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry for further reference.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires two conditions. First, the target installs a malicious extension from a source under attacker influence, such as the Chrome Web Store or a sideloaded package. Second, the target performs specific UI gestures that trigger the spoofed interface. The attacker can then present fabricated permission prompts, address bar content, or dialog boxes. This deception can support phishing, credential harvesting, or unauthorized approval of subsequent actions. The vulnerability does not enable code execution or direct data exfiltration on its own.

Because no verified proof-of-concept has been published, technical details of the crafted extension payload are not disclosed. Consult the Google Chrome Update Announcement for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0446

Indicators of Compromise

Chrome browser processes running on versions earlier than 132.0.6834.83 in managed environments
Recently installed extensions with broad host permissions or activeTab, tabs, and scripting scopes from unverified publishers
Extension manifests requesting UI-related APIs alongside content script injection into sensitive origins
User reports of unexpected permission dialogs, address bar behavior, or duplicate browser prompts

Detection Strategies

Inventory installed Chrome extensions across the fleet and correlate against an approved allowlist
Query endpoint telemetry for Chrome version strings and flag hosts below 132.0.6834.83
Review Chrome Enterprise reporting logs for extension_install events sourced outside the Chrome Web Store
Hunt for extensions loaded via developer mode or --load-extension command-line arguments in browser process metadata

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable Chrome Enterprise Extension Telemetry and forward events to a central logging platform
Alert on new extension installations in high-risk user groups such as finance, executives, and IT administrators
Monitor for changes to the Chrome ExtensionInstallForcelist and ExtensionInstallAllowlist policies
Track Chrome auto-update status through management tooling to confirm patched versions propagate

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0446

Immediate Actions Required

Update Google Chrome to version 132.0.6834.83 or later on all Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints
Verify Chrome auto-update is enabled and not blocked by network policy or endpoint configuration
Audit installed extensions and remove any that are unused, unverified, or requesting excessive permissions
Communicate the risk to end users and instruct them to avoid installing extensions from outside the Chrome Web Store

Patch Information

Google addressed CVE-2025-0446 in the Chrome Stable Channel update to 132.0.6834.83 released on January 14, 2025. Details are available in the Google Chrome Update Announcement. The corresponding tracker entry is the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry. Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera should be updated to versions incorporating the same upstream fix.

Workarounds

Enforce an extension allowlist using the ExtensionInstallAllowlist and ExtensionInstallBlocklist enterprise policies
Disable developer mode extension loading through the DeveloperToolsAvailability policy where feasible
Restrict extension installation to administrator-approved packages via ExtensionInstallForcelist
Provide user awareness training on recognizing suspicious extension permission prompts and UI anomalies

bash

# Configuration example: Chrome Enterprise policy on Linux
# /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/extension_policy.json
{
  "ExtensionInstallBlocklist": ["*"],
  "ExtensionInstallAllowlist": [
    "approved_extension_id_here"
  ],
  "DeveloperToolsAvailability": 2
}