Security Problem in Firefox’s NoScript Add-On
Mozilla’s script blocker add-on could be putting malware sites on the whitelist.
Security researchers have discovered a major flaw with Mozilla’s popular NoScript security add-on. NoScript is supposed to create an environment where JavaScript, Java, and other executable content can only run in scripts that come from a trusted domain.
According to Detectify researcher Linus Särud, NoScript whitelists the entire googleapis.com domain and any subdomain, which means an attacker could create a nefarious script that uses Google services APIs to bypass NoScript. The discovery follows an earlier project by Matthew Bryant, who successfully launched an attack that bypassed whitelist protections.
It isn’t clear whether attackers are already using this technique. The discovery challenges the prestige of the Mozilla NoScript plugin, which bills itself as “The best security you can get in a web browser!” According to a report in the Register, the NoScript team immediately responded by adapting the tool to whitelist only Google's hosted libraries at ajax.googleapis.com, which should reduce the threat, although it might require more intervention from the user to get any necessary legitimate sites whitelisted.
Users are encouraged to install updates. Bryant adds, “Please purge your whitelist. Remove everything you don’t trust.”
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.