QR Codes: An Unexpected Flaw in Browser Security
Cybersecurity faces a new and unexpected threat: using QR codes to bypass browser isolation mechanisms. This method, revealed by Mandiant researchers, exposes a previously overlooked vulnerability in tools designed to protect devices from cyberattacks. How Do QR Codes Bypass Browser Isolation? Browser isolation operates by executing web content (scripts, commands) in a remote environment (cloud or virtual machine) before transmitting only a visual stream to the local browser. This technology is meant to block any direct interaction between attackers and the user’s device. The Attackers’ Method Mandiant researchers demonstrated that a QR code displayed visually on a web page can contain malicious commands. The process is straightforward: Malware installed on an infected device captures the QR code image from the visual stream. The malware decodes the QR code to retrieve instructions from a command-and-control (C2) server. The malware executes the commands, bypassing the restrictions of browser isolation. This technique exploits…
