CinchOps Cyber Alert: Houston Businesses at Risk from Extension Clickjacking Attacks on Password Managers

TL;DR: Cisco’s Secure Firewall Management Center has a maximum severity vulnerability allowing remote attackers to execute commands without authentication, affecting organizations using RADIUS authentication and requiring immediate patching.

A sophisticated new cyber attack technique is putting Houston businesses and their employees at serious risk. DOM-based extension clickjacking represents a critical vulnerability in browser-based password managers that millions of people rely on daily for security. This attack method allows cybercriminals to steal login credentials, credit card information, and two-factor authentication codes through a single deceptive click on a malicious website.

The vulnerability was discovered by security researcher Marek Tóth and presented at DEF CON 33, one of the world’s premier cybersecurity conferences. Unlike traditional clickjacking attacks that trick users into clicking on hidden buttons, this new technique manipulates the Document Object Model elements that password manager extensions inject into web pages. By making these elements invisible or positioning them strategically, attackers can harvest sensitive data without users realizing their information has been compromised.

 Severity Assessment

The severity of this vulnerability cannot be overstated, particularly for Houston’s business community where remote work and cloud-based services are increasingly common.

The attack successfully compromised:

• 10 out of 11 tested password managers for credential theft
• 6 out of 9 managers for credit card data extraction
• 8 out of 10 managers for personal information theft
• 8 out of 11 managers for passkey authentication bypass
• 9 out of 11 managers for two-factor authentication code theft

This vulnerability affects approximately 40 million users worldwide, including countless Houston businesses that rely on these password management tools for their cybersecurity infrastructure. The attack works across multiple browser engines, making it a universal threat regardless of whether organizations use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or other browsers.

(Vulnerable Password Managers at Time of Research – Source: Marek Tóth)

 Exploitation Methods

Understanding how this attack works is crucial for Houston business leaders to grasp the immediate threat to their organizations.

Cybercriminals execute this attack through several coordinated steps:

• Create malicious websites with fake overlay elements like cookie consent banners
• Hide legitimate autofill interfaces using CSS properties that make them invisible
• Use JavaScript to track mouse movements and position fake form fields precisely
• Trigger password manager autofill when users click on seemingly harmless elements
• Capture and exfiltrate stolen credentials to remote servers in real-time

The attack is particularly dangerous because it bypasses traditional security measures. Password managers automatically fill credentials not only for main domains but also for all subdomains, expanding the attack surface significantly. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities on subdomains to steal credentials intended for primary login pages, making even well-secured main websites vulnerable through their less-protected subdomain infrastructure.

(DOM-Based Extension Clickjacking Attacks on Password Managers – Source: Marek Tóth)

 Threat Actors and Attribution

While the specific threat actors exploiting this vulnerability remain largely unknown, the technique’s presentation at DEF CON has made the methodology publicly available to cybercriminal groups worldwide.

The democratization of this attack technique means various threat actors can now exploit it:

• Financially motivated cybercriminal organizations seeking to harvest credentials for profit
• State-sponsored groups looking to infiltrate corporate networks for espionage
• Individual hackers testing their skills against high-value business targets
• Organized crime syndicates focusing on identity theft and financial fraud

Houston businesses should be particularly concerned as the city’s status as an energy and technology hub makes it an attractive target for both financially motivated criminals and state-sponsored actors. The technique’s simplicity means even less sophisticated threat actors can implement effective attacks against local businesses.

 Risk Assessment for Houston Businesses

Houston’s diverse business ecosystem faces varying levels of risk depending on their reliance on browser-based password management solutions.

Organizations at highest risk include:

• Energy companies managing critical infrastructure systems
• Healthcare organizations handling sensitive patient data
• Financial services firms with extensive online banking platforms
• Technology companies with valuable intellectual property
• Manufacturing businesses with proprietary operational data

The vulnerability particularly threatens businesses that have implemented bring-your-own-device policies or support remote work arrangements. Employees accessing company resources from personal devices with vulnerable password managers create potential entry points for attackers to infiltrate corporate networks. Additionally, businesses that rely heavily on cloud-based services and software-as-a-service platforms face increased exposure as employees use password managers to access these critical business applications.

 Remediation Strategies

Immediate action is required to protect Houston businesses from this evolving threat, with both technical and policy-based solutions necessary.

Technical remediation steps include:

• Immediately disabling autofill functionality in all browser-based password managers
• Configuring browser extensions to require manual activation rather than automatic operation
• Implementing copy-paste methods for credential entry until vendor patches are available
• Restricting browser extension permissions to minimize attack surface
• Deploying endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious browser activity

Organizations should also consider migrating to password managers that have already released patches for this vulnerability. Dashlane, Keeper, NordPass, ProtonPass, Bitwardenand RoboForm have all implemented fixes, while major players like 1Password,, LastPass, and iCloud Passwords remain vulnerable (at the time this article was published). Policy changes should include mandatory security awareness training focused on recognizing suspicious websites and implementing multi-factor authentication for all critical business applications.

 How CinchOps Can Help

CinchOps understands the unique cybersecurity challenges facing Houston businesses and provides comprehensive solutions to protect against DOM-based extension clickjacking and other emerging threats.

Our cybersecurity experts can help your organization by:

• Conducting thorough security assessments of your password management infrastructure
• Implementing enterprise-grade password management solutions with enhanced security controls
• Deploying advanced endpoint protection to detect and prevent clickjacking attacks
• Providing employee security awareness training specific to browser-based threats
• Establishing incident response procedures for credential compromise scenarios
• Monitoring your network for signs of unauthorized access or data exfiltration

CinchOps combines cutting-edge technology with deep local knowledge of Houston’s business landscape to deliver cybersecurity solutions that protect your organization while supporting your operational needs. Contact us today to ensure your business stays ahead of evolving cyber threats.

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For Additional Information on this topic: DOM-based Extension Clickjacking: Your Password Manager Data at Risk

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