Formjacking: Understanding the Threat and How to Protect Against It

Formjacking is a type of cyberattack where hackers inject malicious code into online forms on websites to steal sensitive information, such as credit card details, passwords, and personal data. These attacks typically target e-commerce websites and other platforms that process financial transactions, but any online form that collects user information is vulnerable.

Formjacking can be particularly harmful because it operates silently in the background, making it difficult for both website owners and users to detect until after data has been stolen.

How Formjacking Works

Formjacking attacks involve inserting malicious JavaScript code into the website’s form fields, often through vulnerabilities in the website’s code or through third-party services used by the site (such as advertising scripts or plugins). Once the code is injected, it intercepts the data entered by users into the form and sends it to the attacker’s server.

Key steps in a formjacking attack:

1. Exploitation of Website Vulnerabilities: Attackers gain access to a website through security flaws, weak passwords, or unpatched software.
2. Injection of Malicious Code: The attacker injects malicious JavaScript into the form fields, typically unnoticed by the site owner or users.
3. Interception of Data: As users fill in sensitive information, such as credit card details or login credentials, the data is intercepted by the malicious code.
4. Data Exfiltration: The stolen data is then sent to the attacker’s server, where it can be used for fraudulent activities or sold on the dark web.

Formjacking is a highly effective method for cybercriminals because it allows them to steal sensitive information in real-time as users interact with compromised forms, often without raising any immediate alarms.

Real-World Examples of Formjacking

Formjacking attacks have affected some of the world’s largest companies and organizations. Two notable cases include:

• British Airways (2018): In a high-profile case, hackers injected formjacking code into the airline’s website, compromising the payment details of approximately 380,000 customers.
• Ticketmaster (2018): Hackers used a similar tactic to target Ticketmaster’s website, stealing credit card details and personal data of thousands of users.

These incidents demonstrate the widespread risk posed by formjacking, particularly for e-commerce and large online platforms.

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How to Protect Against Formjacking

Formjacking can be difficult to detect once an attack is underway, but there are several key prevention measures that website owners can implement to safeguard against this threat:

1. Keep Software Updated

One of the most common ways hackers gain access to websites is by exploiting outdated software or plugins. Regularly update all website software, including content management systems (CMS) and third-party plugins, to close any security vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

2. Monitor and Audit Third-Party Scripts

Many websites rely on third-party services like analytics tools, advertising scripts, or payment processing systems. These third-party integrations can be a weak point if they are not properly secured. Website owners should regularly audit and monitor these services to ensure they are secure and free of malicious code.

3. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP)

A Content Security Policy (CSP) is a security feature that helps prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) and other code injection attacks by restricting the types of content that can be loaded on a website. By implementing a robust CSP, you can reduce the risk of unauthorized scripts being executed on your site.

4. Use Subresource Integrity (SRI)

Subresource Integrity (SRI) is a security measure that allows browsers to verify that the resources (such as scripts) they fetch have not been tampered with. If a script has been modified, the browser will refuse to load it. Implementing SRI can help prevent attackers from injecting malicious code into your website’s resources.

5. Monitor Website Activity

Regularly monitoring your website for unusual activity can help detect potential formjacking attacks early. Use security tools to track changes to your website’s code, traffic patterns, and data flow to spot any irregularities that might indicate an attack.

6. Use SSL/TLS Encryption

Ensure your website uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the transmission of data between users and your website. While this won’t directly prevent formjacking, it adds another layer of protection by encrypting the data being transferred, making it more difficult for attackers to intercept.

7. Conduct Regular Security Audits

Performing regular security audits can help identify vulnerabilities in your website’s code, third-party services, and overall security posture. These audits should include penetration testing, code reviews, and vulnerability assessments to identify any potential entry points for attackers.

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Protecting Your Website from Formjacking

Formjacking is a serious and growing threat in the world of e-commerce and online services, but with the right preventive measures, it can be mitigated. By keeping software updated, monitoring third-party scripts, implementing security policies like CSP and SRI, and conducting regular audits, website owners can reduce their risk of falling victim to this type of attack.

At Securafy, we specialize in helping businesses protect their online infrastructure from a variety of cyber threats, including formjacking. Contact us today for a comprehensive cybersecurity assessment to ensure your website and data remain secure.