The risk behind the malicious script: How hidden code captured private keys in Trust Wallet

What is a script and why did the Trust Wallet Chrome extension suffer a malicious code attack? The v2.68 update released on December 24 contained suspicious JavaScript logic designed to transmit wallet secrets to external servers. Investigators identified references to a file called “4482.js” within the affected package, confirming that the script operated in an obfuscated manner to evade detection.

The scope of the incident: From 6 to 7 million dollars in confirmed losses

Trust Wallet later confirmed that approximately 7 million dollars were stolen during the incident. The company responded quickly, releasing version v2.69 on December 25 as a remediation measure. According to reports from victims and investigators, the thefts began to manifest hours after the release of v2.68, generating public alerts about the potential scope of the compromise.

The extension’s listing in the Chrome Web Store indicates approximately 1,000,000 registered users, establishing a theoretical ceiling for exposure. However, the practical vulnerability depended on how many users entered a seed phrase while the compromised version was active in their browsers.

Who was at real risk: The importance of the seed phrase

Investigators emphasized that the greatest risk affected users who imported or entered a seed phrase after installing v2.68. A seed phrase represents the master key capable of unlocking all current and future addresses derived from it, making it the primary target for any attacker.

The malicious script was specifically designed to capture this type of sensitive data. While other components of the (mobile versions and other distributions) were not affected, the Chrome browser version concentrated all exposure during the vulnerable period.

Recovery steps: Updating is not enough if your seed was exposed

This distinction is critical for users. Updating to v2.69 removes the malicious script logic going forward, but does not automatically protect assets if the seed phrase has already been transmitted to attackers.

For users who entered a seed while v2.68 was installed, standard steps include:

• Create a new wallet from a completely new seed phrase
• Transfer all funds to the new derived addresses
• Revoke token approvals where possible on the blockchain
• Treat any device that managed the seed as potentially compromised until verified

These actions involve significant operational costs, including gas fees for multiple cross-chain transactions and risks associated with bridging assets during the migration period.

The trust model of extensions: A weak point in ecosystem security

Browser extensions occupy a unique and vulnerable position: they can access the same interfaces users use to verify transactions. Academic research has shown that malicious scripts can evade automated reviews of the Chrome Web Store and that detection systems’ effectiveness degrades over time as attackers evolve their tactics.

The incident underscores the need to implement more robust build integrity controls, including reproducible builds, split key signing, and clearly documented rollback options for emergency situations.

Evolution scenarios of the incident: Projections on the final scope

The total loss amount remains variable, subject to late victim discoveries and address reclassification on the chain. Investigators project scenarios for the next 2 to 8 weeks:

Key variables include whether secret capture was limited solely to seed phrase entry during v2.68, whether additional exposure routes are identified, and the speed at which imitator domains attempting to deceive users with false solutions are eliminated.

Market response and immediate recommendations

The price of Trust Wallet Token (TWT) closed at $0.87, reflecting a 2.24% drop in the last 24 hours, with an intraday high of $0.90 and a low of $0.86. The market reacted with moderate volatility, without a clear unidirectional revaluation.

Recommendations for users:

1. Immediately disable the v2.68 extension if still installed
2. Update to v2.69 from the official Chrome Web Store
3. Determine if you entered a seed phrase while v2.68 was active—this is the critical question
4. If yes: migrate your funds to a new wallet; if no: the update is sufficient
5. Ignore any communication not from official Trust Wallet channels, as scammers attempt to impersonate the team during remediation

Trust Wallet has confirmed its commitment to reimburse all affected users and will soon share detailed instructions on the recovery process.