Is your E-commerce platform vulnerable to leaking customer credit cards information?

As businesses expand, the need to keep customer’s sensitive data protected increases substantially. In the dynamic realm of cybersecurity, a new and rather malicious threat has surfaced that targets Magento-based e-commerce platforms via Google Tag Manager (GTM). This attack mode is not just highly complex, but also extremely misleading, enforcing the requirement for understanding these risks and taking quick actions for your business’s protection.

What is the GTM and Credit Card Skimmers threat?

Malevolent actors are taking advantage of GTM, a broadly utilized and legitimate tool offered by Google, to deploy credit card skimming malware on Magento-based e-commerce websites. GTM is created to manage website tags without modifying the site’s code, but cybercriminals have found a way to abuse its functionality for their gain.

Here’s how it operates: attackers incorporate malevolent scripts within GTM containers, which appear as standard GTM or Google Analytics scripts. These scripts get loaded from the Magento database table cms_block.content and are designed to seize sensitive payment data during the checkout process. The stolen data is then transferred to attackers’ controlled remote servers.

Why does this threat matter to your business?

The implications from such an attack are severe and come in various forms:

• Financial Losses: Customer data getting compromised can lead to substantial financial losses due to fraudulent activities.
• Reputational Damage: A data breach can deteriorate the customer’s trust and harm your brand’s reputation, which can be tough to recover from.
• Legal Consequences: Firms are legally required to protect customer data. A breach can lead to significant penalties and legal consequences.
• Operational Disruptions: Managing the aftermath of a breach can disrupt your operations, affecting your capacity to serve customers and maintain business continuity.

How are Hackers Exploiting Trust through GTM?

The use of GTM for malicious intents is exceptionally deceitful because it misuses a tool that is widely trusted and used for authentic purposes. Here are some crucial points to understand:

• Obfuscated Backdoors: The malevolent scripts are often obfuscated, which makes them difficult to detect. They blend in with legitimate GTM and Google Analytics scripts, allowing them to operate undetected for extended periods.
• GTM Identifiers: Attackers use specific GTM identifiers, such as GTM-MLHK2N68, to incorporate their malevolent scripts. These identifiers function as containers for various tracking codes but are hijacked to inject harmful scripts.
• Checkout Page Targeting: The malware is designed to get activated only on checkout pages, capturing sensitive payment details and transmitting it to external servers.

What measures can you take for protection?

To lessen these threats, here are some practical steps you can adopt:

Regular Website Audits

Carry out regular audits of your website to identify any unauthorized changes. This includes monitoring the GTM containers and other third-party integrations for any suspicious activity.

Secure Configuration of GTM

Ensure that all third-party integrations, including GTM, are secure. Regularly review these configurations to prevent any malevolent scripts from getting embedded.

Implement Advanced Security Measures

Deploy strong security measures such as encryption, secure protocols for data transmission, and regular updates to your security protocols. This includes keeping your Magento platform and all plugins up-to-date.

Training for Employees

Illuminate your team about the risks associated with GTM and other third-party tools. Be confident of their understanding of the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any scripts before implementation.

Continuous Monitoring

Stay updated about emerging threats and carry on with continuous monitoring of your website’s security. This can include utilizing security tools and services that specialize in detecting and mitigating such attacks.

What is the business impact and what steps can you take?

Maintaining customer trust and investor confidence are integral for growing businesses, especially the ones preparing for IPO or managing investor relationships.

• Protect Customer Trust: By safeguarding customer data, businesses build and maintain trust, which is vital for long-term success.
• Maintain Investor Confidence: Investors are getting increasingly cautious about cybersecurity risks. Showcasing robust security measures can help maintain their confidence in your business.
• Minimize Operational Disruptions: Active security measures can help avert operational disruptions that are accompanied by dealing with data breaches.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key points that will help protect your business from this threat:

1. Regularly Audit and Monitor: Regularly audit your website and monitor GTM containers and other third-party integrations for any suspicious activity.
2. Secure Configurations: Ensure all third-party integrations are securely configured and are reviewed regularly.
3. Implement Robust Security Measures: Make use of sophisticated security measures like encryption and keep updating your Magento platform and plugins.

By implementing these steps, you can substantially reduce the risk of your e-commerce platform being exploited by credit card skimmers and sustain the trust of both your customers and investors.

References

1. [The Hacker News: Hackers Exploit Google Tag Manager to Deploy Credit Card Skimmers](https://thehackernews.com/2025/02/hackers–exploit-google-tag-manager-to.html)
2. [Vocal: E-commerce Under Attack: Google Tag Manager Skimmers Deployed](https://vocal.media/01/e-commerce-under-attack-google-tag-manager-skimmers-deployed)
3. [SC World: Magento Stores Compromised With Google Tag Manager Skimmer](https://www.scworld.com/brief/magento-stores-compromised-with-google-tag-manager-skimmer)
4. [Akamai: Magecart attack disguised as Google Tag Manager](https://www.akamai.com/blog/security/magecart-attack-disguised-as-google-tag-manager)
5. [Varindia: Credit Card Skimmers Injected via GTM on Magento](https://www.varindia.com/news/credit-card-skimmers-injected-via-gtm-on-magento)