Understanding E-commerce Security Threats
Introduction
Security is a growth enabler. For a growing merchant, understanding e-commerce threats and how Magento (Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source) mitigates them leads to fewer outages, lower fraud, higher conversion, and sustained customer trust.
Applies to: Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source 2.4.4 and later. Edition differences are noted where applicable.
This page explains the top e-commerce threats (bots, web skimming, XSS/CSRF, credential stuffing), what Magento mitigates natively, what requires a WAF/CDN, and a 60-minute hardening checklist with exact admin paths.
Key Concepts
- Credential stuffing and brute-force: Automated login attempts using leaked credentials targeting Admin and customer accounts.
- Web skimming (Magecart): Malicious JavaScript injection to steal cardholder data on checkout.
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injection of scripts that run in customers' browsers.
- Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): Forged requests that exploit authenticated sessions.
- Injection attacks (SQLi/Command): Attempts to manipulate backend via unvalidated input, often via extensions.
- Bot/card testing and scraping: Automated abuse of checkout and catalog endpoints.
- DDoS/traffic floods: Volumetric or L7 attacks overwhelming infrastructure.
- Supply-chain/extension risk: Vulnerabilities introduced by third-party modules or CI/CD.
- Misconfiguration and outdated software: Default admin paths, weak passwords, HTTP (no TLS), unpatched versions.
How It Works
Magento core mitigates many application-layer risks (CSRF, XSS, session security), but it does not itself block DDoS or large-scale bot floods. Use a WAF/CDN (Fastly WAF on Adobe Commerce on cloud, or a third-party WAF for Open Source/self-hosted) for network-layer and volumetric protection.
Magento native protections (2.4.4+)
- CSRF: Form keys on forms and Admin Secret Key in URLs mitigate CSRF.
- XSS: Input filtering and a Content Security Policy (CSP) framework. Test in Report-Only and then enforce.
- Session security: Secure and HttpOnly cookies, SameSite attributes, configurable session timeout (Stores > Settings > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > Security).
- Authentication hardening: Admin Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), password policy controls, account lockout.
- CAPTCHA: Built-in CAPTCHA (Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > CAPTCHA; Customers > Customer Configuration > CAPTCHA) and Google reCAPTCHA (Stores > Settings > Configuration > Security > Google reCAPTCHA Admin Panel / Storefront).
- HTTPS: Force secure URLs (Stores > Settings > Configuration > General > Web > Base URLs (Secure)).
Requires infrastructure/CDN/WAF
DDoS/bot mitigation, L7 rate limiting, IP reputation, and bot management. Use Fastly WAF (Adobe Commerce on cloud) or third-party WAF (e.g., Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly) for Open Source/self-hosted deployments.
Operational controls
Regular patching via Composer updates and security-only patches, extension vetting, and least-privilege roles (System > Permissions > User Roles).
Benefits and Advantages
- Higher conversion with lower friction: Use Invisible reCAPTCHA on checkout and risk-based challenges to deter bots while minimizing customer friction.
- Reduced fraud and chargebacks: Combine gateway risk tools and reCAPTCHA to filter abuse before authorization.
- Greater uptime and resilience: WAF/CDN absorbs abusive traffic and rate-limits hot endpoints.
- Stronger compliance posture: Enforce HTTPS and Admin 2FA to support PCI DSS obligations and pass ASV scans.
- Clear observability: Track WAF blocks, login failures, and admin actions (Adobe Commerce) to respond faster.
Example KPIs to monitor
- Checkout success rate, reCAPTCHA challenge rate, bot traffic percentage
- Chargeback rate and fraud review queue volume
- Uptime, WAF block counts, and average response time
- ASV scan pass rate and number of open security findings
Common Challenges and Considerations
- CAPTCHA friction: Start with Invisible reCAPTCHA for storefront; escalate to v2 Checkbox or higher sensitivity only on suspicious traffic.
- Extension risk: Prefer Adobe Marketplace vendors, review update cadence, limit module count, and pen-test checkout after adding payment/custom JS.
- CSP rollout: Start in Report-Only, fix violations, then Enforce; whitelist only necessary domains (payments, analytics, tag managers).
- Admin access sprawl: Enforce 2FA, unique accounts, role-based access, and regular user reviews.
- Headless/PWA: Ensure CSP and reCAPTCHA are implemented in the frontend app; protect GraphQL endpoints with WAF rules and rate limits.
Use Cases and Scenarios
SMB B2C
Enable HTTPS, 2FA, Invisible reCAPTCHA, and monthly patching. Add WAF with basic rate limits for login/checkout.
Enterprise B2C
Enforce CSP, deploy WAF with bot management, set adaptive rate limits for GraphQL and REST, and integrate SIEM monitoring.
B2B
Prioritize 2FA, RBAC with least-privilege, IP allowlists for Admin/VPN, and WAF protections on quote and account endpoints.
Alternatives and Comparisons
| Platform | Security Approach |
|---|---|
| Adobe Commerce on cloud | Includes Fastly CDN + WAF integration; managed shielding and TLS; ideal for merchants wanting integrated edge security. |
| Magento Open Source/self-hosted | Pair with Cloudflare/Akamai/Fastly (paid) for WAF/bot mitigation; server hardening, TLS/HSTS, and monitoring are merchant/host responsibilities. |
| Fraud tools | Compare gateway-native risk (e.g., Adyen, PayPal, Braintree) versus third-party fraud platforms; balance cost against chargeback reduction. |
Business Impact
For Merchants
Track a KPI set and set 90-day targets:
- Conversion rate, checkout error rate, reCAPTCHA challenge rate
- Chargeback rate, fraud review queue volume
- WAF block count, bot traffic percentage, admin unauthorized attempt count
Suggested 90-day targets after implementing Invisible reCAPTCHA + WAF rules:
- Bot traffic: -50%
- Chargebacks: -30%
- Conversion: +0.5 to +1.0 percentage points
Simple ROI example
If bot checkout attempts cause 1% false declines on 100k monthly sessions at AOV $80 and 2% base conversion, tightening reCAPTCHA and WAF rules can recover roughly 16 orders/month (~$1,280), often exceeding typical WAF costs.
For Customers
- Greater trust and safety: Fewer skimming risks and consistent HTTPS.
- Lower friction: Invisible reCAPTCHA avoids unnecessary challenges for legitimate users.
- Stable experience: WAF shielding reduces downtime during abusive traffic spikes.
For Operations
- Fewer incidents and faster response: Measurable WAF blocks, clear admin audit trails (Adobe Commerce), and improved monitoring.
- Predictable maintenance: Scheduled patching and extension hygiene lower emergency work.
- Improved compliance readiness: 2FA and secure configuration support PCI DSS requirements.
Common Misconceptions
"Magento blocks DDoS by itself"
False; use a WAF/CDN for DDoS and large-scale bot mitigation.
"reCAPTCHA kills conversion"
Use Invisible or risk-based reCAPTCHA and apply selectively to minimize friction.
"PCI doesn't apply if we use tokens"
SAQ scope is reduced, not eliminated; maintain HTTPS, patching, and secure processes.
"Marketplace extensions are always safe"
Vet vendors, update promptly, and audit code when possible.
"2FA can be disabled in production"
Do not disable in 2.4+; 2FA is required and critical for Admin security.
Implementation Considerations
Note
Admin Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is required in 2.4+ (Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source). Configure under Stores > Settings > Configuration > Security > 2FA. Do not disable 2FA in production environments.
Edition note
Admin Actions Log (System > Actions Logs) is available in Adobe Commerce. For Magento Open Source, use server/application logs and third-party extensions for admin auditing.
Quick Wins (60 minutes)
Enforce HTTPS
- 1. Path: Admin > Stores > Settings > Configuration > General > Web > Base URLs (Secure)
- 2. Set "Use Secure URLs on Storefront" and "Use Secure URLs in Admin" to Yes.
- 3. Verify: Padlock icon present across storefront and Admin.
Enable Google reCAPTCHA
- 1. Path: Admin > Stores > Settings > Configuration > Security > Google reCAPTCHA Admin Panel and Storefront
- 2. Recommendation: Use Invisible reCAPTCHA for checkout.
- 3. Verify: reCAPTCHA network calls present; challenges appear only on risky interactions.
Harden Admin security
- 1. Path: Admin > Stores > Settings > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > Security
- 2. Set session timeout (e.g., 900-1800 seconds), maximum login failures, and lockout time.
- 3. Path: Advanced > Admin > Admin Base URL - set a custom Admin path.
- 4. Verify: Failed login attempts trigger lockout; new Admin URL in use.
Require 2FA
- 1. Path: Admin > Stores > Settings > Configuration > Security > 2FA
- 2. Enable desired providers (e.g., Google Authenticator).
- 3. Verify: Next Admin login prompts for 2FA.
Review permissions
- 1. Path: Admin > System > Permissions > All Users and User Roles
- 2. Ensure least-privilege roles and unique users.
- 3. Verify: A non-admin role cannot access System > Extensions or Stores > Configuration.
WAF/CDN Setup (same day)
Enable a WAF/CDN
- Adobe Commerce on cloud: Enable Fastly WAF rules.
- Open Source/self-hosted: Configure a WAF (Cloudflare/Akamai/Fastly) and set rate limits for login, cart, checkout, and GraphQL endpoints.
Verify: Observe WAF blocks for scripted login attempts and abnormal request velocity.
CSP Rollout
Implement CSP
- 1. Start with Report-Only; review and fix violations.
- 2. Move to Enforce once required sources are whitelisted (payments, analytics, tag managers).
- 3. Verify: No CSP report violations in production during normal user journeys.
Patching & Cadence
Maintain patching discipline
- 1. Schedule monthly Composer updates to the latest 2.4.x security release; apply security-only patches when released.
- 2. Verify: Application version matches latest security release; scanners report no known CVEs.
Verification & Monitoring
Security Scan and Monitoring
- 1. Run Adobe Commerce Security Scan Tool on your domains; remediate findings (e.g., insecure headers, outdated version).
- 2. Ensure automated backups and log monitoring; on Adobe Commerce, enable System > Actions Logs (if available).
- 3. Verify: Admin activity is logged; alerts trigger on anomalies.
Related Concepts
- Adobe Commerce Security Scan Tool
- Configure Google reCAPTCHA (Admin and Storefront)
- Configure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Admin Security settings (session, lockout, admin URL)
- Content Security Policy (CSP) in Magento
- Fastly WAF (Adobe Commerce on cloud)
- Applying security patches with Composer
- Role-based access control (RBAC) and user management
