Did you know that over 4.95 billion people worldwide—about 62.3% of the global population—actively use internet browsers every day? Browsers have become the entry point to nearly every digital interaction we perform—whether it’s accessing work tools, online banking, or managing personal accounts. Yet, despite their importance, a large percentage of users remain unaware of the silent threats lurking within browser extensions.

One such emerging danger is DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking, a stealthy attack vector that bypasses traditional defenses and takes advantage of human trust rather than software flaws. Unlike malware that installs itself or phishing emails that lure you into giving away credentials, this attack manipulates what you see and how you interact with your own trusted browser extensions.

This is not just another cybercrime headline—it’s a wake-up call for organizations and individuals alike. For business leaders, IT security teams, and everyday users, understanding how this attack works is essential to protecting sensitive data and ensuring confidence in the digital ecosystem.

What is DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking?

DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking is a sophisticated exploitation technique that manipulates a browser’s Document Object Model (DOM) to hijack user interactions with extensions. In simpler terms, it tricks users into clicking on something they didn’t intend to, by placing invisible or disguised elements over legitimate extension buttons or controls.

Here’s how it works in practice:

1. Crafting a Malicious Webpage
Attackers design a malicious site that uses DOM manipulation to insert hidden user interface (UI) elements. 

2. Overlaying Extension UI
These invisible elements are carefully placed over genuine buttons or fields within trusted browser extensions.

3. User Action Hijacking
When the user believes they are clicking on a safe function—like toggling a feature or approving a standard permission—they are unknowingly triggering a hidden command, such as exporting credentials, enabling dangerous permissions, or sharing sensitive files.

4. Silent Data Compromise
Since the click is technically performed by the user (though under deception), no alarm bells are triggered. The extension executes the action as intended, but the outcome benefits the attacker.

This type of attack is particularly dangerous because it doesn’t require exploiting vulnerabilities in the browser or extension. Instead, it weaponizes normal user behavior.

Why This Threat Bypasses Traditional Security

The scary truth is that DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking slips past most traditional defenses. Here’s why:

• Not Malware-Dependent:

Since the attack doesn’t rely on injecting malicious code into the system, antivirus tools and endpoint detection solutions often miss it.

• Legitimate User Actions:

Security monitoring systems generally classify user-approved actions as safe. But here, the user is tricked into approving dangerous actions, making the attack indistinguishable from normal usage.

• Invisible to Firewalls and IDS/IPS:

Network-level defenses can’t flag this kind of activity since no suspicious traffic pattern exists—the clicks are real, the requests are legitimate, and the responses appear normal.

This makes it one of the most deceptive forms of social engineering in today’s cybersecurity landscape.

Real-World Risks of Extension Clickjacking

The consequences of such attacks are profound and immediate. Let’s look at some real-world scenarios:

• Corporate Credential Theft:

Imagine an employee accidentally exporting the company’s password vault by clicking a disguised button. This would instantly leak hundreds of credentials to attackers.

• Unauthorized Access to Business Tools:

A clickjacked extension could trick an employee into granting access to critical platforms like Slack, Trello, or Jira—exposing internal communication, project data, and intellectual property.

• Data Exfiltration Without Detection:

Since these clicks look legitimate, security teams often discover breaches only after damage is done. Attribution becomes complex, and remediation becomes costly and time-consuming.

According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million. Now consider how invisible, undetectable attacks like clickjacking could escalate those numbers, especially for organizations relying heavily on browser extensions for productivity.

The Growing Reliance on Browser Extensions

One reason DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking is so concerning is our dependence on browser extensions.

• Over 3 billion Chrome users worldwide rely on extensions for productivity, password management, ad-blocking, and workflow automation.
• A 2023 report by Google revealed that 85% of Chrome users have at least one extension installed, with an average of 5–7 per user.
• Many businesses even mandate the use of extensions like password managers, CRM connectors, and secure file-sharing tools.

This dependency creates a massive attack surface, giving cybercriminals countless opportunities to manipulate unsuspecting users.

digiALERT’s Perspective on the Threat

At digiALERT, we believe DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking highlights the urgent need for a shift in digital risk monitoring strategies. Traditional defenses alone are no longer sufficient.

Our cybersecurity experts emphasize three critical approaches:

1. Threat Intelligence Beyond Signatures

Relying on signature-based detection means organizations are always reacting after an attack method becomes known. At digiALERT, we actively monitor underground forums, open-source code repositories, and emerging research to identify novel attack vectors—like DOM-based manipulation—before they gain traction.

2. Proactive Digital Risk Monitoring

We continuously scan the external digital landscape, identifying threats that target not only software vulnerabilities but also human and interface weaknesses. This ensures organizations are prepared for threats that bypass traditional security layers.

3. Human-Centric Security Design

Since this attack exploits trust and perception, defensive strategies must account for user behavior. We help companies implement UI/UX-aware security training, empowering employees to detect suspicious overlays, inconsistent extension prompts, or abnormal permissions.

How Organizations Can Protect Themselves

While DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking is difficult to detect, organizations can adopt these strategies:

• Browser Hardening: Limit extension installations to only those vetted and necessary for business.
• Security Awareness Training: Teach employees to identify suspicious prompts, unexpected permission requests, and unusual extension behavior.
• Extension Monitoring Tools: Deploy tools that track extension activities and flag abnormal actions.
• Zero Trust Approach: Treat every digital interaction with skepticism until verified, even when it originates from trusted extensions.
• Proactive Threat Intelligence: Partner with firms like digiALERT that specialize in identifying novel attack techniques before they hit mainstream awareness.

Conclusion

The emergence of DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking is a stark reminder that not all cyber threats are malware-based. Some of the most dangerous attacks manipulate trust, perception, and human behavior—slipping past even the most advanced defenses.

For organizations and individuals, this means rethinking security strategies to include human-centered defenses, proactive intelligence gathering, and continuous digital risk monitoring.

At digiALERT, our mission is to stay one step ahead of these evolving threats, providing organizations with the tools, insights, and foresight needed to protect their digital assets in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Call-to-Action

How is your organization preparing for these non-malware-based threats? Have you integrated intelligence-driven monitoring into your security framework? Share your strategies in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.

To stay updated on the latest digital risks and proactive defense strategies, Follow digiALERT and VinodSenthil on LinkedIn.