Major Magento Vulnerabilities
Major Magento Vulnerabilities (Complete Category List)
1. Remote Code Execution (RCE)
Severity: Critical
Allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server.
Common causes:
- Unpatched Magento core vulnerabilities
- Unsafe PHP deserialization
- Insecure admin controllers
Impact:
- Full server takeover
- Malware injection
- Data exfiltration
2. SQL Injection (SQLi)
Severity: Critical
Attackers manipulate database queries through unsanitized inputs.
Common entry points:
- Search fields
- Filters
- Custom extensions
- API endpoints
Impact:
- Database dump
- Admin credential theft
- Order and customer data compromise
3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Severity: High
Malicious scripts injected into pages viewed by users or admins.
Types:
- Stored XSS
- Reflected XSS
- DOM-based XSS
Impact:
- Session hijacking
- Admin account compromise
- Phishing attacks
4. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Severity: High
Forces authenticated users to perform unwanted actions.
Affected areas:
- Admin actions
- Customer account actions
- Cart and checkout operations
Impact:
- Unauthorized configuration changes
- Order manipulation
5. Authentication & Authorization Bypass
Severity: Critical
Allows attackers to gain admin access without valid credentials.
Causes:
- Weak ACL enforcement
- Token validation flaws
- Old admin authentication logic
Impact:
- Full admin panel access
- Store configuration takeover
6. Insecure PHP Object Deserialization
Severity: Critical
Occurs when untrusted serialized data is processed.
Common in:
- Old Magento versions
- Vulnerable third-party extensions
Impact:
- Remote code execution
- Privilege escalation
7. File Upload Vulnerabilities
Severity: High
Allows attackers to upload malicious files.
Common issues:
- Missing file type validation
- Improper media directory permissions
Impact:
- Web shell upload
- Malware execution
8. Directory Traversal
Severity: Medium to High
Attackers access restricted files using path manipulation.
Impact:
- Access to configuration files
- Exposure of database credentials
9. XML External Entity (XXE) Attacks
Severity: High
Occurs when XML input is improperly parsed.
Affected components:
- SOAP APIs
- Import/export features
Impact:
- Server-side request forgery (SSRF)
- File disclosure
10. API Security Vulnerabilities
Severity: High
Issues in REST and SOAP APIs.
Examples:
- Missing authentication
- Excessive data exposure
- Broken access control
Impact:
- Unauthorized data access
- Order and customer manipulation
11. Insecure Default Configuration
Severity: High
Examples:
- Default admin URL
- Weak file permissions
- Exposed setup scripts
Impact:
- Easier brute-force attacks
- Faster exploitation
12. Weak Admin Password & Brute Force Attacks
Severity: Medium to High
Common causes:
- Weak passwords
- No 2FA
- No rate limiting
Impact:
- Admin account takeover
13. Session Fixation & Session Hijacking
Severity: High
Attackers steal or reuse session IDs.
Impact:
- Customer or admin impersonation
- Unauthorized transactions
14. Information Disclosure
Severity: Medium
Examples:
- Stack traces exposed
- Debug mode enabled
- Error messages revealing paths
Impact:
- Helps attackers plan further attacks
15. Third-Party Extension Vulnerabilities
Severity: Varies (often Critical)
Root cause of many Magento breaches.
Issues include:
- Hardcoded credentials
- Backdoors
- Unsafe database queries
Impact:
- Full site compromise even on updated Magento core
16. Outdated JavaScript Libraries
Severity: Medium
Examples:
- Old jQuery versions
- Vulnerable RequireJS modules
Impact:
- XSS
- Client-side attacks
17. Cron Job Abuse
Severity: Medium
Improperly secured cron endpoints.
Impact:
- Resource exhaustion
- Unauthorized task execution
18. Denial of Service (DoS)
Severity: Medium
Caused by:
- Heavy search queries
- Malformed API requests
- Reindex abuse
Impact:
- Store downtime
- Performance degradation
19. Payment & Checkout Vulnerabilities
Severity: Critical
Examples:
- Payment method manipulation
- Price tampering
- Coupon abuse
Impact:
- Financial losses
- Fraud
20. End-of-Life (EOL) Risks
Severity: Critical
Running unsupported Magento versions means:
- No security patches
- Publicly known exploits remain open
Impact:
- Guaranteed compromise over time
Why Magento Upgrades Are Critical
Most of the vulnerabilities listed above are:
- Already patched in newer Magento versions
- Actively exploited on outdated stores
Upgrading Magento:
- Closes known CVEs
- Improves core security architecture
- Ensures compatibility with secure PHP versions
- Reduces dependency-related risks
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Written by Rohit Vakhariya
Passionate about sharing knowledge and insights on web development, technology, and best practices.