CVE-2025-0451: Google Chrome Extensions API UI Spoofing

CVE-2025-0451 Overview

CVE-2025-0451 is an inappropriate implementation vulnerability in the Extensions API of Google Chrome prior to version 133.0.6943.53. This User Interface Confusion vulnerability allows a remote attacker who convinces a user to engage in specific UI gestures to perform UI spoofing via a crafted Chrome Extension. The attack requires user interaction, making social engineering a key component of successful exploitation.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage malicious Chrome extensions to spoof UI elements, potentially deceiving users into revealing sensitive information or performing unintended actions.

Affected Products

• Google Chrome versions prior to 133.0.6943.53
• All platforms running vulnerable Chrome versions (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Chromium-based browsers that incorporate the vulnerable Extensions API

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-02-04 - CVE-2025-0451 published to NVD
• 2025-04-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-0451

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from an inappropriate implementation within Google Chrome's Extensions API. The flaw enables malicious browser extensions to manipulate or spoof user interface elements in ways that were not intended by the browser's security model. When users interact with specific UI gestures while a crafted malicious extension is active, the extension can present deceptive visual elements that appear legitimate.

The attack is classified under CWE-451 (User Interface (UI) Misrepresentation of Critical Information), indicating that the core issue involves the browser's failure to properly prevent extensions from misrepresenting critical UI elements to users.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient validation and restrictions within the Extensions API that govern how Chrome extensions can interact with and modify UI elements. The API implementation failed to adequately constrain extension capabilities, allowing crafted extensions to create misleading visual representations that could be mistaken for legitimate browser or website UI components.

Attack Vector

Exploitation of CVE-2025-0451 requires the following attack chain:

1. An attacker creates a malicious Chrome extension that exploits the inappropriate Extensions API implementation
2. The attacker distributes the extension through social engineering tactics or potentially through the Chrome Web Store before detection
3. A victim installs the malicious extension
4. When the victim performs specific UI gestures (such as clicking, scrolling, or hovering in particular ways), the extension can spoof UI elements
5. The spoofed UI elements can be used to deceive users into providing credentials, clicking malicious links, or performing other harmful actions

The attack vector is network-based and requires user interaction, as the victim must both install the extension and perform specific UI gestures for the vulnerability to be exploited.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0451

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected or unfamiliar Chrome extensions installed in the browser
• UI elements that appear inconsistent or behave unusually when interacting with extensions
• Browser warnings about extension permissions being misused

Detection Strategies

• Audit installed Chrome extensions across enterprise environments and compare against approved extension lists
• Monitor for extensions requesting excessive UI-related permissions
• Implement extension whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized extensions from being installed

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Chrome browser logging and monitor for extension-related anomalies
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions to track browser extension installations and modifications
• Review Chrome extension audit logs for unusual permission requests or behavioral patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0451

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Google Chrome to version 133.0.6943.53 or later immediately
• Review and remove any untrusted or unnecessary Chrome extensions
• Enable Chrome's Enhanced Safe Browsing feature for additional protection against malicious extensions
• Implement enterprise browser management policies to control extension installations

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in Chrome version 133.0.6943.53. The fix corrects the inappropriate implementation in the Extensions API to prevent UI spoofing attacks via crafted extensions. Organizations should ensure all endpoints are updated to this version or later. For detailed information about this update, refer to the Google Chrome Update Announcement and the Chromium Issue Tracker Entry.

Workarounds

• Disable or remove all non-essential Chrome extensions until the browser can be updated
• Use Chrome's extension management policies to restrict extension sources to trusted publishers only
• Implement Group Policy or MDM controls to enforce extension whitelists in enterprise environments
• Educate users about the risks of installing extensions from unknown sources

# Chrome enterprise policy configuration example
# Block all extensions except those explicitly allowed
# Add to Chrome policy file or GPO

# For Linux/macOS: /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed/extension_policy.json
{
  "ExtensionInstallBlocklist": ["*"],
  "ExtensionInstallAllowlist": ["approved_extension_id_1", "approved_extension_id_2"]
}