In the realm of DevOps, Magecart is a term that has garnered significant attention. It refers to a consortium of malicious hacker groups who employ a specific form of cyber attack known as 'digital skimming' or 'e-skimming'. These groups target online shopping cart systems, predominantly in Magento, hence the name 'Magecart'. While Magecart is not a technology or methodology within DevOps, understanding this threat is crucial for DevOps teams to ensure the security of their applications and systems.
This article will delve into the intricacies of Magecart, its history, how it operates, and its implications for DevOps. It will also provide specific examples and use cases to give a comprehensive understanding of this term in the context of DevOps.
Definition of Magecart
Magecart is a term used to describe a collection of cybercriminal groups that specialize in implanting malicious JavaScript code into e-commerce websites to steal sensitive customer information such as credit card details. This type of attack is known as digital skimming or e-skimming.
The name 'Magecart' is derived from the primary target of these attacks, which is the Magento e-commerce platform. However, it's important to note that these attacks are not limited to Magento and can affect any website that processes online payments.
Understanding Digital Skimming
Digital skimming, also known as e-skimming, is a form of cyber attack where hackers inject malicious code into a website to capture sensitive user data. This data is then transmitted to a server controlled by the attackers. The term 'skimming' is borrowed from the physical world, where criminals use devices to capture credit card information from ATMs or point-of-sale terminals.
In the context of Magecart, digital skimming is performed by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the payment processing pages of e-commerce websites. This code captures the payment information entered by customers and sends it to a server controlled by the attackers.
History of Magecart
The first known Magecart attack occurred in 2010, but it wasn't until around 2015 that the activity of these groups began to significantly increase. Since then, Magecart attacks have continued to evolve, with the groups behind them becoming more sophisticated and their methods more diverse.
Over the years, Magecart groups have been responsible for several high-profile data breaches, affecting major companies such as British Airways, Ticketmaster, and Newegg. These attacks have resulted in the theft of millions of credit card details, leading to significant financial losses and reputational damage for the affected companies.
Evolution of Magecart Attacks
The methods used by Magecart groups have evolved over time. Initially, these groups targeted individual online stores, injecting their malicious code directly into the website's payment processing pages. However, as e-commerce platforms strengthened their security measures, Magecart groups began to shift their focus.
Instead of targeting individual stores, they started targeting third-party services used by these stores, such as advertising scripts and customer support widgets. By injecting their malicious code into these services, they could affect multiple stores at once, increasing the scale and impact of their attacks.
Implications for DevOps
While Magecart is primarily a security issue, it has significant implications for DevOps. DevOps teams play a crucial role in ensuring the security of the applications and systems they develop and maintain. As such, understanding threats like Magecart is essential for these teams.
DevOps practices emphasize continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), which involves frequent code updates and deployments. This can potentially increase the attack surface for Magecart groups, as each update or deployment could introduce new vulnerabilities that these groups could exploit.
Security in DevOps
Security is a critical aspect of DevOps. The concept of 'shift left' in security refers to integrating security practices into the early stages of the DevOps lifecycle, rather than treating it as an afterthought. This approach can help in identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities early, reducing the risk of attacks like Magecart.
DevOps teams can also use automated security tools to scan for vulnerabilities in their code and dependencies. These tools can help in detecting Magecart-like attacks, where malicious code is injected into the application. Regularly updating and patching software dependencies can also help in preventing these attacks.
Use Cases and Examples
There have been numerous instances of Magecart attacks, affecting a wide range of businesses. These attacks serve as a stark reminder of the importance of security in DevOps and the potential consequences of failing to adequately protect against threats like Magecart.
One of the most notable Magecart attacks occurred in 2018, when British Airways was hit by a major data breach. The attackers compromised the airline's website and mobile app, stealing the payment details of approximately 380,000 customers. The breach was attributed to a Magecart group, and resulted in a fine of £183 million for British Airways under the GDPR.
Other Notable Attacks
Another high-profile Magecart attack affected Ticketmaster in 2018. In this case, the attackers targeted a third-party chatbot used by Ticketmaster for customer support. The chatbot, which was embedded on the Ticketmaster website, was compromised to inject the Magecart skimming code, leading to the theft of a large number of customer payment details.
Newegg, a popular online retailer, was also a victim of a Magecart attack in 2018. The attackers injected their skimming code into the retailer's payment processing pages, capturing the credit card details of customers over a period of one month. The breach was discovered by security researchers, who noticed the suspicious code during a routine check.
Conclusion
Magecart represents a significant threat to e-commerce websites and serves as a reminder of the importance of security in DevOps. By understanding this threat, DevOps teams can better protect their applications and systems, reducing the risk of data breaches and the potential financial and reputational damage that can result from them.
While Magecart attacks are primarily a security issue, they highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to security in DevOps. This includes integrating security practices into the early stages of the DevOps lifecycle, using automated tools to detect vulnerabilities, and regularly updating and patching software dependencies.