Chrome Remote Desktop

What This Extension Does

The Chrome Remote Desktop extension allows users to remotely access and control their computers from within the Chrome browser.

Permissions Explained

• nativeMessaging: This permission allows the extension to communicate with native applications on the user's system, enabling features like remote desktop access.

- Note: While this is a critical permission, it is standard for extensions that provide remote desktop functionality.

• downloads: This permission grants the extension access to download files from the internet. In the context of Chrome Remote Desktop, this might be used to transfer files between computers.

What We Found in the Code

The automated scan did not detect any red-flag code patterns. However, we should note that:

• The extension uses a background service worker, which is common for extensions with complex functionality like remote desktop access.
• There is no Content Security Policy (CSP) set, which could be considered unusual but does not necessarily indicate a security risk.

External Connections

The extension communicates with remotedesktop.google.com, which appears to be an expected domain given the extension's purpose and name. This suggests that the extension uses Google's servers for remote desktop functionality.

Things to Consider

• The nativeMessaging permission is critical, but it is standard for extensions providing remote desktop access.
• The downloads permission might seem broad, but in this context, it likely allows file transfers between computers, which is a necessary feature for remote desktop functionality.
• Without more information about the extension's code and implementation, it is difficult to assess whether the lack of a Content Security Policy poses any risks. However, it is worth noting that setting a CSP can help prevent certain types of attacks.

Overall, this analysis suggests that the Chrome Remote Desktop extension appears to be using its declared permissions in a way that aligns with its intended functionality. Users should consider their own needs and risk tolerance when deciding whether to install and use this extension.