Clickjacking: A Silent Threat to Web Security

Cyber Security Awareness : Tibin Tomy

Clickjacking, also known as a UI redress attack, is a deceptive technique used by cybercriminals to trick users into clicking on something different from what they perceive. By overlaying transparent or disguised elements on a webpage, attackers can manipulate users into performing unintended actions, such as revealing personal information, changing security settings, or even initiating financial transactions

How Clickjacking Works

Clickjacking exploits the way web browsers render elements on a page. Attackers typically use an iframe to embed a legitimate website or interface into a malicious page, then apply CSS styles to make it invisible or disguise it as something harmless. When a user interacts with the malicious page, they unknowingly trigger actions on the hidden interface.

Example Scenario

Imagine a victim visits a malicious website that promises a free gift. The page contains an invisible iframe overlaid on top of a “Claim Prize” button. In reality, the hidden iframe is positioned over a legitimate banking website’s “Transfer” button. When the victim clicks what they believe is the prize claim button, they inadvertently authorize a financial transaction.

Types of Clickjacking Attacks

1. Likejacking — Tricks users into unknowingly liking or sharing content on social media.
2. Cursorjacking — Manipulates the position of the cursor, making users believe they are clicking one element while interacting with another.
3. Clipboardjacking — Hijacks the clipboard contents, replacing them with malicious text or links.
4. Formjacking — Captures sensitive user inputs like login credentials by overlaying a transparent malicious form over a legitimate one.

Preventing Clickjacking

To mitigate the risks of clickjacking, website owners and developers can implement various security measures:

1. X-Frame-Options Header

• Setting the X-Frame-Options header to DENY or SAMEORIGIN prevents a page from being embedded within an iframe on another domain.

2. Content Security Policy (CSP)

• Using the frame-ancestors directive in CSP restricts which domains can embed a page.

3. JavaScript-Based Frame Busting

• Implementing frame-busting scripts can help detect and break out of iframes, preventing unauthorized embedding.

4. User Awareness

• Educating users about the dangers of clickjacking and encouraging them to use browser extensions or security tools to detect hidden elements.

Conclusion

Clickjacking is a stealthy and dangerous attack that can lead to serious security breaches, including financial fraud and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations and developers must take proactive measures to secure their web applications, while users should stay vigilant when interacting with unfamiliar websites. By implementing strong security headers, enforcing proper iframe policies, and staying informed, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with clickjacking.