Clipboard Security Audit

Chrome Extension clipboardWrite: Copying answers without clipboard hijacking.

Understand Chrome extension clipboardWrite permission vs clipboardRead. Learn how clipboard poisoning works and why Vezz me only writes what you explicitly click to copy.

Best fit

Best for users, security engineers, and developers auditing clipboard permissions in Chrome and Firefox extensions.

Technical Manifest Audit

Permission specification & risk profile.

Review how Chrome enforces clipboardWrite in Manifest V3 and how to tell legitimate user-triggered extensions apart from intrusive tools.

Risk level: LowerclipboardWrite
Chrome install-time warning
None (when invoked via user gesture) / Modify data you copy and paste
Manifest V3 declaration
// manifest.json
{
  "name": "Vezz me — Selected Text AI Assistant",
  "permissions": [
    "activeTab",
    "storage"
    // Note: clipboardWrite is handled via navigator.clipboard.writeText in response to user click
  ]
}
Legitimate uses vs. red flags
What to verify before granting this permission to an AI browser tool.

Legitimate AI reading uses

  • Copying AI explanations, Markdown tables, or code snippets to your clipboard when you click a 'Copy' button
  • Exporting generated Anki flashcards directly to your clipboard for pasting into desktop Anki
  • Copying formatted citations or formulas with one click

Red flags to watch for

  • Replacing crypto wallet addresses (cryptojacking clipboard clippers) when users copy Bitcoin or Ethereum hashes
  • Silently overwriting copied terminal commands with malicious bash commands containing trailing newlines
  • Writing to clipboard in background intervals without any user click gesture
How Vezz me handles this: Vezz me never modifies your clipboard in the background. It uses standard web `navigator.clipboard.writeText()` strictly inside the extension popup when you explicitly click the 'Copy Answer', 'Copy Code', or 'Copy Preset' button.
Step-by-step workflow

How to run this workflow in place.

1

Distinguish clipboardRead from clipboardWrite

`clipboardRead` lets an extension silently spy on passwords or private tokens you copy. `clipboardWrite` merely allows writing to the clipboard when you click a button.

2

Watch out for clipboard poisoning and cryptojacking

Malicious extensions monitor for copied crypto addresses or shell commands and silently swap them. Never install untrusted extensions requesting unrestricted clipboard access.

3

Verify user-gesture-only copying

Vezz me only writes to your clipboard when you physically click a 'Copy' button in the popup interface.

Key details

Why this approach works better than switching tabs.

Why clipboardRead is high risk and clipboardWrite is low risk
Reading your clipboard exposes passwords from password managers and 2FA recovery codes. Writing to clipboard on user gesture is standard web application behavior.
  • `clipboardRead` exposes everything you copy: SSH keys, private messages, credit card numbers
  • Vezz me NEVER declares `clipboardRead`—it cannot see what is on your system clipboard
  • `clipboardWrite` is used strictly to deliver clean Markdown answers, prompt presets, and Anki cards when you click copy
Comparison Matrix

Clipboard Permissions Comparison

Comparing clipboardRead vs clipboardWrite.

PermissionCan Read Copied Passwords?User Benefit
clipboardReadYes (reads all copied system text)Auto-pasting text without pressing Ctrl+V
clipboardWrite (on user click)No (write-only)1-click copy buttons for code and Markdown tables
Vezz me ImplementationNo clipboardRead; writes only when you click 'Copy'Zero passive clipboard spying risk
Frequently asked questions

Common questions about clipboard security audit.

Can Vezz me see passwords I copy from 1Password or Bitwarden?

Never. Vezz me does not have the `clipboardRead` permission. It is technically impossible for Vezz me to access your system clipboard contents.

Why does Vezz me have a Copy button in the popup?

To make it effortless to copy generated code snippets, Markdown tables, or Anki cards directly into your local IDE, Notion, or Anki app.

Where can I read about clipboardRead risks?

See our technical audit: Chrome Extension clipboardRead Permission Security.

Related workflows & guides

Explore connected pages.

clipboardRead Permission Security Audit
Why clipboard reading requires extreme caution.
Open guide
activeTab Permission Security Guide
How user gestures guarantee extension privacy.
Open guide
AI Chrome Extension Privacy Checklist
Essential security checklist before installing extensions.
Open guide
Banking & Financial Sites Permission Audit
Why financial sites require strict clipboard isolation.
Open guide
All Extension Security & Permissions
Browse the complete directory of extension security & permissions on Vezz me.
View hub directory
Available for Chrome and Firefox

Ready to try this workflow on your own reading?

Install Vezz me free, highlight text on any webpage, and press your customizable shortcut (default: Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac) to get an answer right beside the source.

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