# Massive Magecart Skimming Operation Targets Global Payment Networks Since 2022
Massive Magecart Skimming Operation Targets Global Payment Networks Since 2022
Stealthy Digital Skimmer Compromises Major Card Systems
Security researchers just uncovered a massive digital skimming operation that's been silently hitting payment systems since 2022—and get this—it affects six major payment networks worldwide. According to cybersecurity firm Silent Push, cardholders using American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, and UnionPay are all vulnerable. Together, these networks handle the lion’s share of global credit transactions, putting nearly every locally issued credit card at risk. But here’s the kicker: it’s not the card networks themselves that were breached.
We're dealing with classic "Magecart"-style attacks—the same nasty tactics where criminals slip malicious JavaScript into e-commerce sites. These skimmers quietly steal payment details during checkout, dodging most security tools. And this campaign? It’s been flying under the radar for years, showing just how slick these threat actors have gotten.
Unmasking the Operation
Silent Push traced the whole operation back to shady domains tied to PQ.Hosting/Stark Industries (a.k.a. THE.Hosting/WorkTitans B.V.), a European bulletproof hosting provider. Translation: it's a haven for crooks who want to hide from law enforcement. Not exactly surprising, but it shows how cybercriminals exploit specialized infrastructure to keep their scams running.
Digging deeper, investigators found multiple malicious URLs hosting heavily disguised JavaScript payloads—like cdn-cookie[.]com/recorder.js—designed to evade detection. Silent Push put it bluntly: "Further analysis confirms a long-term web-skimming campaign, with infections dating back to roughly 2022."
Attack Mechanics and Social Engineering
The attack follows a classic Magecart playbook, but with sneaky psychological tricks mixed in:
- Infiltration: Crooks hack vulnerable e-commerce sites or payment portals.
- Activation: Malicious scripts kick in only during checkout.
- Stealth Verification: Fraudulent code checks that the page fully loaded before running.
- Form Swapping: Attackers swap the real payment form with an identical-looking fake—same branding and all—controlled by them.
- Data Harvesting: Victims submit payment details, names, addresses, and shipping info straight to criminals.
- Disappearance: The fake form vanishes, restoring the original page.
Here’s where it gets ugly: after submitting data, victims often see a payment error. Why? Silent Push explains: "As shoppers entered card details into that fake form instead of the real Stripe form, the payment page errors out. Most assume they messed up, retype everything, and succeed on the second try using the legitimate form."
The entire attack happens inside your browser—making it totally invisible to users, site owners, and security tools. Stores don't realize they've been hijacked, and customers rarely spot fraud until their card gets drained.
Defensive Recommendations for Merchants
Silent Push says merchants need multi-layered defenses:
- Content Security Policies (CSP): Lock down external resource loading. Translation? Prevent sketchy scripts from running. The firm stresses: "Implement a CSP to restrict JavaScript loads—it cuts malicious injection risks."
- PCI DSS Compliance: Stick strictly to card data encryption standards.
- System Hardening: Update CMS platforms, plugins, and integrations immediately. No excuses—patch those holes.
- Access Control: Use multi-factor authentication and ironclad passwords for admin accounts.
- Behavioral Testing: Regularly check your site incognito or with cleared caches. Why? Many skimmers hide when admin cookies are present.
Turn your website from a passive tool into an active shield against these threats.
Consumer Protection Strategies
Cardholders, listen up:
- Shop on trusted platforms with solid security track records.
- Use browser extensions or security tools that block shady domains.
- Watch for weird checkout behavior—like surprise error messages.
- Check bank statements routinely for fraud.
Report sketchy charges fast. Thieves flip stolen data quickly—on the dark web or through instant scams.
Persistent Threat Landscape
This whole nightmare shows Magecart crews are leveling up—compromising payment systems invisibly and for years. By using bulletproof hosting and clever code tricks, they've built persistent data-stealing machines. And let’s be real: stolen card data fuels a billion-dollar fraud economy.
Silent Push warns these operations keep evolving—extending their silent attacks across global payment networks long before anyone notices. So stay sharp, because this isn't going away.
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