Is your store at risk? Learn how an innovative web security solution saved one global online retailer and its unsuspecting customers from an “evil twin” disaster. Read the full real-life example here.
The invisible threat in online shopping
If this is the checkout page and not the checkout page? If it is the “evil twin”! Malicious redirects can send unsuspecting shoppers to these perfect-looking fake checkout pages and steal their payment information, so could your store be at risk too? Learn how an innovative web security solution saved one global online retailer and its unsuspecting customers from an evil doppelgänger disaster. (You can read the full case study here)
Anatomy of an Evil Double Attack
In today’s fast-paced world of online shopping, convenience often trumps caution. Shoppers move quickly from product selection to checkout, rarely considering the process. This lack of attention creates an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit.
Fraudulent redirect
The attack starts on a legitimate merchant site, but uses a malicious redirect to send shoppers to a fraudulent checkout page. This “evil twin” page is carefully designed to mimic the real site, making it nearly impossible for the average user to detect the scam.
The devil is in the details
The only indication may be a slight change in the URL. For example:
- Legit: Fabulousclothingstore.com
- Scam: Fabulousclothingstre.com/checkout
Did you notice the missing “o”? This technique, known as typosquatting, involves registering domain names that closely resemble legitimate websites.
Data theft
Once on the fake checkout page, unsuspecting customers enter their sensitive financial information, which is then forwarded to the attacker. This stolen data can be used for fraudulent transactions or sold on the dark webwhich can result in significant financial losses for victims.
Infection vector: how sites are hacked
While the specific method of infection of Art this is a case study remains unclear (a common scenario in cyber security incidents), we can conclude that the attackers likely used a common technique such as a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in website code or third-party plugins to inject malicious scripts.
Evading Detection: The Art of Obfuscation
Used by attackers code obfuscation to bypass traditional security measures. Obfuscation in programming is like using overly complex language to convey a simple message. It is not encryption that renders the text unreadable, but a method of masking the true intent of the code.
An example of confusing code
Developers commonly use obfuscation to protect their intellectual property, but hackers also use it to hide their code from malware detectors. This is only part of what Reflectiz security solution found on the victim’s website:
* note: for obvious reasons the client wishes to remain anonymous. That’s why we changed the real name of the URL to a fictitious one.
This obfuscated snippet hides the true purpose of the code, which includes a malicious redirect and an event listener designed to fire upon certain user actions. You can read more about it here in a complete case study.
Threat exposure: Deobfuscation and behavioral analysis
Traditional signature-based malware detection often fails to identify hidden threats. The Reflectiz security solution uses deep behavioral analysis, monitoring millions of website events to detect suspicious changes.
After identifying the obfuscated code, Advanced Reflectiz deobfuscation tool reverse engineered the malicious script, revealing its true intentions. The security team immediately alerted the seller, providing detailed evidence and comprehensive threat analysis.
Fast action and prevention of consequences
A quick response by the seller to remove the malicious code could have saved them from:
- Significant regulatory penalties (GDPR, CCPA, CPRA, PCI-DSS)
- Class action lawsuits from injured customers
- Loss of income due to reputational damage
The imperative of continuous protection
This is a case study highlights the critical need for reliable, continuous web security monitoring. As cyber threats evolve, so must our defenses. By implementing advanced security solutions like Reflectiz, businesses can protect both their assets and customers from sophisticated attacks.
To learn more about how Reflectiz protects your seller from this common but dangerous threat, we recommend you read the full case study here.
