As organizations move deeper into cloud and web-based applications, browsers have become the most common gateway for cyberattacks. Experts warn that 2025 will see an escalation in sophisticated browser-based exploits, targeting not just passwords but entire session tokens, user behavior, and enterprise access.
A recent report highlights six major categories of browser attacks that security teams need to prepare for in order to safeguard businesses and individuals.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Phishing Beyond Passwords
Traditional phishing attacks have evolved. Instead of merely stealing credentials, attackers are now using Attacker-in-the-Middle (AiTM) kits that intercept login sessions and bypass multi-factor authentication. By using reverse proxies and dynamic infrastructure, these phishing campaigns can scale rapidly and often remain undetected by legacy email filters.
Malicious Code and OAuth Exploits
New tricks such as ClickFix and FileFix are luring users into copying and running harmful commands disguised as system prompts or CAPTCHAs. These campaigns now target both Windows and Mac systems with equal intensity.
At the same time, attackers are exploiting OAuth integrations. By convincing users to grant excessive permissions to rogue applications, criminals can bypass login checks and access enterprise data directly—a technique already used in breaches of major SaaS platforms.
Extensions and File Delivery Risks
Browser extensions remain a double-edged sword. While they improve productivity, compromised or malicious extensions can harvest sessions, steal data, and even inject content. Recent incidents have shown that even legitimate extensions can be hijacked through tainted updates.
Beyond extensions, attackers are also weaponizing file delivery. Malicious HTAs, SVGs, and HTML downloads are being deployed to deliver phishing portals and malware payloads directly within the browser environment, often slipping past antivirus scans.
Stolen Credentials and MFA Gaps
The simplest attack is still among the most effective. Once attackers obtain stolen credentials, weak or poorly configured multi-factor authentication leaves many accounts vulnerable. Experts warn that “ghost logins” and neglected security settings across SaaS apps are making enterprises an easy target.
Preparing for the Threat Landscape
The six browser attack types underline a clear trend: the browser is no longer just a window to the web, but a primary attack surface. Security professionals emphasize that defending against these threats requires visibility and controls at the browser level, not just at the endpoint.
Proactive measures such as browser isolation, strict OAuth app monitoring, and extension audits are likely to become essential tools for organizations in 2025.