## Attack on Trust Wallet Chrome Extension: Over $7 Million at Risk Due to Malicious Code

On December 25th, Trust Wallet released version 2.69 of its Chrome browser extension in response to a critical security threat. The incident involved the previous version 2.68, which was distributed a day earlier. Investigations revealed that a hidden script embedded in the infected version's code had the ability to intercept sensitive user data. Preliminary estimates suggest that scammers caused losses between $6 million and $7 million across various blockchains within the first 48–72 hours of releasing the problematic version.

## How the disaster happened: emphasizing the threat scenario with the seed phrase

Incident tracking specialists were particularly concerned about users who entered their seed phrase directly into the infected extension. The seed phrase provides key access to current and future wallets and addresses associated with its origin. Security experts identified suspicious logic in a JavaScript file labeled “4482.js,” which most likely transmitted wallet secrets to external servers controlled by attackers.

Academic research suggests that malicious extensions can easily evade automated review systems in the Chrome Web Store. This becomes especially dangerous when updates are released quickly and few users examine the technical details of the code before installing it.

## Secondary attack wave: “fix” scam domains mimicking official sites

In addition to the primary threat, security teams warn about scam domains creating fake “fixes.” Scammers attempt to persuade victims to reveal their seed phrase under the guise of restoring wallet access. This tactic adds another attack vector for unwitting users seeking quick solutions.

## How to defend yourself: difference between updating and actual protection

Upgrading from version 2.68 to 2.69 removes the malicious code but does not automatically protect already exposed assets. If a user imported their seed phrase or key data on the infected version, they must act quickly:

- Generate a new seed phrase on a secure device
- Transfer all funds to new addresses created from the new seed
- Cancel all approved tokens (where possible)
- Treat all systems that had access to the old seed as potentially compromised

These steps can involve high operational costs, especially due to network fees and the risks associated with moving between chains. Users must decide whether the cost of rebuilding their positions is justified by the amount of affected funds.

## Market status and TWT valuation: response without drastic changes

Trust Wallet Token (TWT) is trading at approximately $0.83487 USD, representing a slight increase of 0.02% from the previous close. The intraday maximum was $0.8483 USD, and the minimum $0.767355 USD. Despite the severity of the incident, the market has not shown unidirectional panic selling, although the situation is still developing.

## Open questions: how quickly are losses growing?

The total damage may still change due to routine reasons: delayed victim reports, asset reclassification, better tracking of cross-chain exchanges, and payout pathways. Over the next 2–8 weeks, losses could range from $6 million to over $25 million, depending on whether additional attack vectors emerge and how quickly scammers’ traps are eliminated.

## Future requirements: integrating software distribution in crypto

The incident has spotlighted the security model of browser extensions. Wallet extensions operate at a critical junction between web applications and signing processes — any compromise can affect input data that users rely on to verify transactions.

Providers should publish emergency reports containing:
- Detailed root cause analysis
- Verified indicators (domains, hashes, package identifiers)
- Clear scope of the threat

Without such information, exchange security teams and researchers will operate in uncertainty about whether different account drainings originate from the same infrastructure or are separate incidents.

## What’s next: Trust Wallet’s commitment to compensation

Trust Wallet confirmed that approximately $7 million was affected by this incident and committed to refund all affected users. The company announced a refund process and “soon” will provide detailed instructions for the next steps.

Key recommendations remain simple: disable version 2.68, update to 2.69, and — for users who entered their seed phrase — treat it as completely compromised. Trust Wallet also warns against interacting with messages from unofficial channels, as scammers may impersonate the support team during the recovery phase.