“The Emergence of a New Type of Magecart Campaign: Insights from Latest Research”

Magecart Umbrella Attacker Strikes E-commerce Sites Worldwide with Web Skimming Malware

Introduction

Magecart, a collection of cybercriminal groups, is known for online payment card-skimming attacks that have targeted tens of thousands of websites worldwide, stealing millions of credit cards that they monetize in multiple ways. Recently, an attacker under the Magecart umbrella has infected an unknown number of online retail sites in several countries with web-skimming malware that skimmed customers’ credit card numbers and personal identifiable information (PII) that they entered while making purchases. Akamai discovered that the same attacker also was using the infected retail sites as hosts for delivering the card-skimming malware to other target sites. Unlike prior Magecart hacks, this method is particularly dangerous, and the ongoing campaign could potentially affect tens of thousands of people across the globe.

The Double Compromise

According to Akamai researchers, who spotted the Cyber-attacks, the latest campaign is double-compromised, meaning the attacker not only injects the Magecart card skimmer into target sites but also hijacks a retail site to distribute malicious code or skimming malware. Besides, the attacker is also targeting sites that run software such as WooCommerce, Shopify, and WordPress, by exploiting known vulnerabilities. By injecting a small JavaScript code snippet into several compromised web pages, the attacker fetches the malicious skimmer from a host website, making it difficult to detect.

The Danger of Utilizing Legitimate Website Domains

One of the main advantages of utilizing legitimate website domains is the inherent trust they have built over time, as described by Akamai. Security services and domain scoring systems generally assign higher trust levels to domains with a positive track record and a history of legitimate use. As a result, malicious activities conducted under these domains are more likely to go undetected or treated as benign by automated security systems. Given this fact, it is crucial for site owners to focus both on security and educating their customers to ensure that their data is safe while purchasing from legitimate online stores.

Editorial and Advice

This kind of attack marks a new approach by Magecart attackers and highlights the ever-increasing sophistication of web-skimming attacks. The attacker is focusing on not only stealing payment information, but also on its distribution, propagating web-skimming malware exponentially and putting significant numbers of users at risk worldwide.

Online retailers worldwide must put measures to protect their databases. They could choose not to take specific actions related to web-skimming attacks, leaving customers exposed to such attacks. However, it is crucial for these retailers to provide secure and trustworthy shopping experiences for their customers. Thus, online retailers and site owners must implement security measures such as ensuring secure eCommerce platforms, hosting, and use extra security layers like firewalls, SSL certificates, and access control. Companies must also conduct regular security reviews, keep software updated, provide strong authentication measures, and restrict server access. Educating customers on cybersecurity measures is also key to prevent such breaches.

Conclusion

Data breaches in eCommerce sites have become a widespread threat, and customers must be educated about it. The ongoing campaign under the Magecart umbrella highlights the dangers of modern online shopping experiences. Customers must positively take steps to secure their personal information while shopping online. Retailers need to make security a priority and ensure that their stores remain hack-proof. Governments and law enforcement agencies should also take stringent measures and collaborate to protect consumers across the globe, raising awareness and enforcing cybersecurity regulations.