Top Risks

• THREAT FEED: extension ID independently confirmed malicious by TPCI chrome-mal-ids — Flex Search Engine [browser-hijack] + malext.io malicious_extension_sentry (+2.5, capped).
• Search-provider override routes all user queries to flexsearchengine.com with no transparency about data handling.
• Privacy policy admits data collection and third-party sharing but is not scoped to this extension — worst-case disclosure.
• Developer name absent; 15-month stale extension with no rating signals low accountability.
• declarativeNetRequest can redirect/block network requests with no CSP present (MV3 default CSP applies but no explicit policy).

Evidence

• search_provider_override manifest chrome_settings_overrides sets is_default:true, routing all queries to flexsearchengine.com/ext/search.
• privacy_policy_unscoped_with_sharing api Policy fetched but scope_extension=false, data_collection=true, third_party_sharing=true → D(v3.5) +10.0.
• no_developer_name store developer_name is empty string; no 'Offered by' identity visible.
• stale_extension store months_since_update=15; falls in 12-24mo band (+6.0 maintenance).
• declarativeNetRequest_no_csp manifest declarativeNetRequest declared; csp_present=false (MV3 default applies, no explicit CSP).
• no_rating store Rating=0 with 9,000 installs; no user trust signal.
• search_engine_override_webstore store +2.0 webstore for search-provider override pattern.
• cve_findings_empty crx No CVEs detected in bundled JS libraries; CVE pillar=0.
• threat_feed_membership api Extension ID listed by TPCI chrome-mal-ids — Flex Search Engine [browser-hijack] + malext.io malicious_extension_sentry; score 5.14 -> 7.64 (+2.5 cap 2.5).

Permissions Breakdown

• storage low Stores local preferences; no cross-origin access.
• declarativeNetRequest medium Can intercept/block/redirect network requests via static rules.
• chrome_settings_overrides.search_provider (is_default:true) medium Silently replaces default search engine; all queries routed to flexsearchengine.com.
• host_permissions: https://flexsearchengine.com/* low Scoped to single developer-owned domain only.

Pillar Scores

Bookkeeping