What is a MageCart attack?

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Magecart refers to cybercriminal groups known for stealing digital credit card information from e-commerce sites. This was originally Magento-based e-commerce stores, hence the name MageCart, but the technique can be used on any e-commerce platform.

The criminals achieve their attack by injecting malicious JavaScript into websites, especially through third-party services. This script skims credit card and personal information during the checkout process and sends it to the attackers.

How Magecart Attacks Work

1. Targeting: Attackers look for vulnerable websites or third-party components that are common across sites.

2. Code Injection: They inject malicious JavaScript into the website or third-party component, either directly or by compromising a third-party service.

3. Data Skimming: When customers enter payment information on a compromised website, the script captures it silently.

4. Data Exfiltration: Stolen data, including credit card numbers and personal information, is sent to a server controlled by the attackers.

5. Reuse or Sale: This data is then used for fraudulent activities or sold on the dark web.

The Impact of Magecart Attacks

These attacks can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and legal issues for businesses. For consumers, they result in financial fraud and identity theft.

Prevention and Mitigation

• Regular Vulnerability Scanning: Continuously scan for vulnerabilities in websites and third-party scripts.

• Content Security Policy (CSP): Implement CSP to control script execution on the website.

• Monitoring Third-Party Scripts: Closely monitor third-party services and scripts.

• Subresource Integrity (SRI): Use SRI to ensure integrity of content fetched from external sources.