From c1f3553ce5387e92b9e53c29a81729856e5d3399 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Benjamin Keen <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:27:43 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Verify renderer authorization for browser audibility bypass

This change prevents a compromised renderer from spoofing tab audibility
by claiming to bypass the browser's audio service. Previously, the
browser process unconditionally trusted the renderer's
`OnUseAudioServiceChanged(false)` IPC. This allowed a compromised
renderer to trick the browser into marking a silent tab as "audible",
which satisfies the `WasRecentlyAudible()` gate for AutoPiP and also
displays a misleading speaker icon on the tab strip.

The validation is implemented by tracking whether a specific frame has
actually been granted permission to bypass the audio service. This
authorization is currently only granted to the MediaFoundationRenderer.

With this change, now the `MediaWebContentsObserver` verifies
authorization before allowing a bypass claim. This ensures only
authorized frames can register as audible, preventing compromised
renderers from triggering unauthorized AutoPiP windows.

Bug: 496617698
Change-Id: I9d40db07c4d715fe1e373e1ba9dbc0ecbc4c39d9
Reviewed-on: https://chromium-review.googlesource.com/c/chromium/src/+/7735911
Reviewed-by: Xiaohan Wang <[email protected]>
Commit-Queue: Benjamin Keen <[email protected]>
Cr-Commit-Position: refs/heads/main@{#1611887}
---

diff --git a/content/browser/media/media_interface_proxy.cc b/content/browser/media/media_interface_proxy.cc
index 57774b9..3b5ba29 100644
--- a/content/browser/media/media_interface_proxy.cc
+++ b/content/browser/media/media_interface_proxy.cc
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "base/unguessable_token.h"
 #include "build/build_config.h"
 #include "content/browser/media/cdm_storage_common.h"
+#include "content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.h"
 #include "content/browser/renderer_host/render_frame_host_delegate.h"
 #include "content/browser/renderer_host/render_frame_host_impl.h"
 #include "content/public/browser/media_service.h"
@@ -373,6 +374,11 @@
     factory->CreateMediaFoundationRenderer(
         std::move(media_log_remote), std::move(receiver),
         std::move(renderer_extension_receiver));
+
+    // `MediaFoundationRenderer` bypasses the browser's audio service.
+    // Authorize the frame for audibility bypass claims.
+    AudibilityBypassAuthorization::GetOrCreateForCurrentDocument(
+        &render_frame_host());
   }
 }
 #endif  // BUILDFLAG(IS_WIN)
diff --git a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.cc b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.cc
index 291d9ea2..202ffa5 100644
--- a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.cc
+++ b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.cc
@@ -567,7 +567,14 @@
   if (!player_info)
     return;
 
-  bool should_add_client = player_info->IsAudible() && !uses_audio_service_;
+  // Register as an audible client if the player is audible and bypasses the
+  // standard audio service (currently only for `MediaFoundationRenderer`).
+  // This requires explicit browser-side authorization to prevent spoofing.
+  bool should_add_client =
+      player_info->IsAudible() && !uses_audio_service_ &&
+      AudibilityBypassAuthorization::IsAuthorized(
+          RenderFrameHost::FromID(media_player_id_.frame_routing_id));
+
   auto* audio_stream_monitor =
       media_web_contents_observer_->web_contents_impl()->audio_stream_monitor();
 
@@ -807,4 +814,17 @@
   return result.first->second->GetWeakPtr();
 }
 
+AudibilityBypassAuthorization::AudibilityBypassAuthorization(
+    RenderFrameHost* rfh)
+    : DocumentUserData<AudibilityBypassAuthorization>(rfh) {}
+
+AudibilityBypassAuthorization::~AudibilityBypassAuthorization() = default;
+
+// static
+bool AudibilityBypassAuthorization::IsAuthorized(RenderFrameHost* rfh) {
+  return rfh && GetForCurrentDocument(rfh) != nullptr;
+}
+
+DOCUMENT_USER_DATA_KEY_IMPL(AudibilityBypassAuthorization);
+
 }  // namespace content
diff --git a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.h b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.h
index c7f9d7a..f9b8da6 100644
--- a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.h
+++ b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "content/browser/media/media_power_experiment_manager.h"
 #include "content/browser/media/session/media_session_controllers_manager.h"
 #include "content/common/content_export.h"
+#include "content/public/browser/document_user_data.h"
 #include "content/public/browser/global_routing_id.h"
 #include "content/public/browser/media_player_id.h"
 #include "content/public/browser/render_frame_host.h"
@@ -59,6 +60,26 @@
 class AudibleMetrics;
 class WebContentsImpl;
 
+// Used to authorize a frame to bypass the browser's audio service for
+// audibility, when using `MediaFoundationRenderer`. This is stored as
+// `DocumentUserData` on the `RenderFrameHost`.
+class CONTENT_EXPORT AudibilityBypassAuthorization
+    : public DocumentUserData<AudibilityBypassAuthorization> {
+ public:
+  ~AudibilityBypassAuthorization() override;
+
+  // Returns true if the given `rfh` has been authorized to bypass the
+  // browser's audio service for audibility. This is used for renderers that
+  // handle their own audio output, currently only `MediaFoundationRenderer` on
+  // Windows.
+  static bool IsAuthorized(RenderFrameHost* rfh);
+
+ private:
+  friend class DocumentUserData<AudibilityBypassAuthorization>;
+  explicit AudibilityBypassAuthorization(RenderFrameHost* rfh);
+  DOCUMENT_USER_DATA_KEY_DECL();
+};
+
 // This class manages all RenderFrame based media related managers at the
 // browser side. It receives IPC messages from media RenderFrameObservers and
 // forwards them to the corresponding managers. The managers are responsible
diff --git a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
index 10b9d3c..ab6e648 100644
--- a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
+++ b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
@@ -77,6 +77,13 @@
     return setup;
   }
 
+  // Overload for tests that do not care about specific IDs.
+  auto CreateAndAddPlayer(
+      mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerHost>& player_host)
+      -> PlayerSetup {
+    return CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host, next_player_id_++);
+  }
+
   void SetMediaMetadata(
       mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerObserver>& observer,
       bool has_audio,
@@ -105,6 +112,15 @@
     observer.FlushForTesting();
   }
 
+  void SetUseAudioService(
+      mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerObserver>& observer,
+      bool uses_audio_service) {
+    observer->OnUseAudioServiceChanged(uses_audio_service);
+    observer.FlushForTesting();
+  }
+
+  bool IsWebContentsAudible() { return contents()->IsCurrentlyAudible(); }
+
   MediaPlayerId CreatePlayerId(int32_t player_id) {
     return MediaPlayerId(contents()->GetPrimaryMainFrame()->GetGlobalId(),
                          player_id);
@@ -113,6 +129,9 @@
   MediaWebContentsObserver& media_web_contents_observer() {
     return *contents()->media_web_contents_observer();
   }
+
+ private:
+  int32_t next_player_id_ = 0;
 };
 
 TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, GetCurrentlyPlayingVideoCount) {
@@ -308,5 +327,91 @@
   EXPECT_FALSE(media_web_contents_observer().IsPlayerActive(player_id));
 }
 
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, StandardPlaybackNoAuthorization) {
+  auto player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto player = CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host);
+
+  SetMediaMetadata(player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true, /*has_video=*/false);
+  SetUseAudioService(player.observer, true);
+  PlayMedia(player.observer);
+
+  // Verify that standard playback (via audio service) does not trigger
+  // `RegisterAudibleClient`, so the `WebContents` remains non-audible.
+  EXPECT_FALSE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+}
+
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, UnauthorizedBypassDenied) {
+  auto player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto player = CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host);
+
+  SetMediaMetadata(player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true, /*has_video=*/false);
+
+  // Renderer claims it's audible but bypassing the audio service.
+  // Without a `MediaFoundationRenderer`, this should be rejected.

diff --git a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
index 10b9d3c..ab6e648 100644
--- a/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
+++ b/content/browser/media/media_web_contents_observer_unittest.cc
@@ -77,6 +77,13 @@
     return setup;
   }
 
+  // Overload for tests that do not care about specific IDs.
+  auto CreateAndAddPlayer(
+      mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerHost>& player_host)
+      -> PlayerSetup {
+    return CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host, next_player_id_++);
+  }
+
   void SetMediaMetadata(
       mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerObserver>& observer,
       bool has_audio,
@@ -105,6 +112,15 @@
     observer.FlushForTesting();
   }
 
+  void SetUseAudioService(
+      mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerObserver>& observer,
+      bool uses_audio_service) {
+    observer->OnUseAudioServiceChanged(uses_audio_service);
+    observer.FlushForTesting();
+  }
+
+  bool IsWebContentsAudible() { return contents()->IsCurrentlyAudible(); }
+
   MediaPlayerId CreatePlayerId(int32_t player_id) {
     return MediaPlayerId(contents()->GetPrimaryMainFrame()->GetGlobalId(),
                          player_id);
@@ -113,6 +129,9 @@
   MediaWebContentsObserver& media_web_contents_observer() {
     return *contents()->media_web_contents_observer();
   }
+
+ private:
+  int32_t next_player_id_ = 0;
 };
 
 TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, GetCurrentlyPlayingVideoCount) {
@@ -308,5 +327,91 @@
   EXPECT_FALSE(media_web_contents_observer().IsPlayerActive(player_id));
 }
 
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, StandardPlaybackNoAuthorization) {
+  auto player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto player = CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host);
+
+  SetMediaMetadata(player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true, /*has_video=*/false);
+  SetUseAudioService(player.observer, true);
+  PlayMedia(player.observer);
+
+  // Verify that standard playback (via audio service) does not trigger
+  // `RegisterAudibleClient`, so the `WebContents` remains non-audible.
+  EXPECT_FALSE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+}
+
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, UnauthorizedBypassDenied) {
+  auto player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto player = CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host);
+
+  SetMediaMetadata(player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true, /*has_video=*/false);
+
+  // Renderer claims it's audible but bypassing the audio service.
+  // Without a `MediaFoundationRenderer`, this should be rejected.
+  SetUseAudioService(player.observer, false);
+  PlayMedia(player.observer);
+
+  EXPECT_FALSE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+}
+
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, AuthorizedBypassAllowed) {
+  auto player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto player = CreateAndAddPlayer(player_host);
+
+  // Simmulate audibility bypass authorization for the document.
+  AudibilityBypassAuthorization::GetOrCreateForCurrentDocument(
+      contents()->GetPrimaryMainFrame());
+
+  SetMediaMetadata(player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true, /*has_video=*/false);
+
+  // Renderer claims it's audible but bypassing the audio service.
+  // Since we authorized it, this should be allowed.
+  SetUseAudioService(player.observer, false);
+  PlayMedia(player.observer);
+
+  EXPECT_TRUE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+}
+
+TEST_F(MediaWebContentsObserverTest, AuthorizationIsFrameScoped) {
+  auto main_player_host = SetupPlayerHost();
+  auto main_player = CreateAndAddPlayer(main_player_host);
+
+  // Create a child frame.
+  RenderFrameHost* main_rfh = contents()->GetPrimaryMainFrame();
+  RenderFrameHostTester::For(main_rfh)->InitializeRenderFrameIfNeeded();
+  RenderFrameHost* child_rfh =
+      RenderFrameHostTester::For(main_rfh)->AppendChild("child");
+  ASSERT_NE(child_rfh, nullptr);
+  RenderFrameHostTester::For(child_rfh)->InitializeRenderFrameIfNeeded();
+
+  mojo::AssociatedRemote<media::mojom::MediaPlayerHost> child_player_host;
+  contents()->media_web_contents_observer()->BindMediaPlayerHost(
+      child_rfh->GetGlobalId(),
+      child_player_host.BindNewEndpointAndPassDedicatedReceiver());
+
+  auto child_player = CreateAndAddPlayer(child_player_host);
+
+  // Authorize only the main frame.
+  AudibilityBypassAuthorization::GetOrCreateForCurrentDocument(main_rfh);
+
+  // Child frame attempts bypass.
+  SetMediaMetadata(child_player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true,
+                   /*has_video=*/false);
+  SetUseAudioService(child_player.observer, false);
+  PlayMedia(child_player.observer);
+
+  // Should be denied because authorization is not inherited.
+  EXPECT_FALSE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+
+  // Main frame attempts bypass.
+  SetMediaMetadata(main_player.observer, /*has_audio=*/true,
+                   /*has_video=*/false);
+  SetUseAudioService(main_player.observer, false);
+  PlayMedia(main_player.observer);
+
+  // Should be allowed.
+  EXPECT_TRUE(IsWebContentsAudible());
+}
+
 }  // namespace
 }  // namespace content