Secure File Uploads in PrestaShop: Best Practices for 2025

For many PrestaShop stores, it is crucial to let customers upload files. Whether you’re selling custom gifts, print-on-demand products, branded items, or have services that require document submission, file uploads streamline the purchasing experience. Customers can upload images, PDFs, logos or identification documents right from the product page, cart, and checkout pages.

Fle uploads are also a security concern. If not secured correctly, it enables a user to upload scripts on your site that can do damage in several ways, like infecting the server with malware or some nasty stuff. Just one dodgy upload and you could be dealing with malware injections, unauthorised access or even a complete data disaster.

That’s why every store owner needs safe file handling. You need to make sure all the content that is uploaded is also of really good quality, set validation, safely stored and complies with modern data-protecting laws. 

Speaking of which, this interesting guide covers best practices to secure file upload in PrestaShop, with a bleeding-edge 2025 approach that gets you GDPR compliant, server-secured, and aligned with ecommerce standards!

The Importance of File Upload Security in PrestaShop

It’s helpful for customers to upload their own data to a service, but unless there are strong safeguards in place, it is also a huge security risk. PrestaShop-based websites are usually a high target for automated bots, as well as attackers searching for insecure file upload configurations. 

Here are some security concerns that normally occur while allowing file uploads:

Common Security Concerns

Malware uploads: Somebody deposits files full of infected code that then runs on your server.

PHP file execution: A file called ‘image.php.jpg” may be able to bypass weak validation and run if saved in a web accessible location.

Unauthorised access: Allows the user to browse, download or modify files due to folders not being protected.

Data leakage: Sensitive documents about customers are exposed publicly or indexed by search engines.

Impact on Your Store

Here’s how it impacts your store:

• Loss of customer trust
• Damage to reputation
• Website downtime or takeover
• GDPR compliance violations
• Fines or legal consequences for abusing personal data

It's important to be aware of these risks before allowing uploads. Safe File Sharing Solidifies Your Prestashop File Upload Security, Secures Customer Data, and Protects Brand Reputation.

Typical Risk Associated with Customer File Uploads

Before you can work towards solving these issues, you must first know what the main threats are with file uploads in PrestaShop.

Unsafe File Types

Certain formats like. Php,. Js,. Exe,. Sh, or. Py is not particularly safe, because it can run code on your server. They can be simply disguised by attackers using different extensions or give them a double extension (e.g., invoice. PDF. Php).

Missing File Validation or Sanitisation

Even simulated images with integrated scripts can be mistaken for real/valid ones.

• A user can upload large files to use all the server memory.
• The wrong file type can fool a system into inadvertently running malicious files as safe.

Direct File Access

If your upload folder is accessible to everyone, anyone can browse, view and index uploaded files.

No HTTPS Encryption

HTTPS is required to prevent any sensitive files from being intercepted during upload or download.

Understanding these risks provides the basis to put in place robust protections.

Best Practices For Secure File Uploads on Your Prestashop Store

Here’s how you can ensure safe uploads on your Prestashop store pages.

Restrict Allowed File Types

One of the most important steps is to limit uploads to only the formats you truly need.

Safe common file types include:

• JPG
• PNG
• PDF

Avoid supporting SVG unless you sanitize it first, as SVG files can contain JavaScript. PrestaShop’s built-in customization features accept basic formats, but if you use a module, ensure it supports strong validation against both file extensions and MIME types.

For example, only allow:

• image/jpeg
• image/png
• application/pdf

This ensures attackers cannot upload disguised .php or .exe files. Refer to “PrestaShop safe file types” documentation or your module’s validation settings to enforce proper controls.

Strong file validation is the backbone of secure upload management.

Set File Size Limits

Large files can overwhelm your server or be used in denial-of-service attacks. To prevent this:

• Limit uploads to 2–5 MB, depending on your product needs.
• Configure PHP settings in php.ini:
• upload_max_filesize = 5M
• post_max_size = 6M

Modules often include their own settings for per-file and total upload limits. Strict size limits protect your site from resource abuse.

Store Files in Secure Directories

Never store customer uploads in public or script-enabled directories, such as:

• /img/
• /modules/
• /themes/

Instead, use a non-public directory outside the main web root. This ensures uploaded files are inaccessible through a direct URL.

If you must store files within the root directory, use a secure directory with:

• Directory browsing disabled
• A protective .htaccess that blocks script execution
• Access is limited only through PrestaShop's controller

This approach provides strong PrestaShop upload file path safety and prevents direct file access by attackers.

Rename Files Automatically

Never store files using their original names. Attackers often exploit predictable filenames or attempt overwrite attacks.

Instead, rename files using:

• Random hashes
• Unique IDs
• Timestamps

Example: orders_upload_64fc2a09ae9f3.pdf

This prevents name collisions, improves privacy, and avoids revealing sensitive user information. Strong renaming practices significantly protect PrestaShop uploads from tampering.

Secure File Uploads in PrestaShop 2025

Validate & Sanitize File Names and Extensions

Even if you restrict file types, file names may contain invalid characters or hidden scripts.

Sanitisation Steps Include:

• Removing spaces and special characters
• Preventing double extensions like photo.jpg.php
• Cross-checking MIME type and file extension for consistency
• Rejecting files that do not match the expected format

Validation should run both client-side (for convenience) and server-side (for security). Attackers can bypass browser-based validation easily, so server rules are essential.

Many vulnerabilities come from trusting file names; never trust user input.

Use HTTPS & Secure Transmission

All file uploads and downloads must use HTTPS. Without HTTPS, files and personal data can be intercepted.

Ensure That:

• SSL is enabled for the entire store
• Mixed content is eliminated
• The uploads directory is only accessible via secure endpoints
• This is a key part of PrestaShop https upload security best practices.

Enable Server-Side Virus Scanning

Modern ecommerce stores should integrate malware scanning directly into their upload workflow.

Options Include:

• ClamAV (server-level virus scanning)
• API-based scanning services for cloud hosting
• Security modules that detect malicious patterns in uploaded files

A scan should verify that the file is not infected, regardless of type or name. This prevents threats like:

• Embedded malware
• Script injection
• Ransomware files
• Macro-enabled PDFs or documents

Strong file upload malware protection is essential for high-risk industries like printing, identity verification, or document handling.

Apply Proper Permissions & Access Control

Every PrestaShop server must apply strict folder permissions:

• Files: 644
• Directories: 755

Your upload folder should never allow executable permissions. Add an .htaccess file to block:

• Options -Indexes
• <FilesMatch ".(php|php5|php7|phtml)$">
• Deny from all

These steps strengthen your PrestaShop server security posture.

Regularly Audit and Clean Uploaded Files

Uploaded files accumulate over time, and many stores unknowingly store unused files for years.

To remain GDPR-compliant:

• Set a retention period (e.g., 180 days).
• Regularly delete old, unused, or orphaned uploads.
• Conduct periodic scans using antivirus software.
• Log access to uploaded files.

Cleanups prevent storage bloat and reduce long-term security risk.

GDPR Compliance for Customer File Uploads

Secure file upload practices are directly tied to GDPR compliance, especially when customers submit personal data such as IDs, photos, resumes, or signed documents.

What GDPR Requires

GDPR mandates that you:

• Collect only the files you truly need
• Store them securely
• Prevent unauthorised access
• Delete them when they are no longer required

Many stores forget that uploaded files count as personal data. This makes secure handling non-optional.

Data Retention Rules

You must define retention periods. Files cannot be stored indefinitely “just in case.” This ties back to scheduled audits and cleanup routines.

Customer Consent

Your privacy policy must:

• Explain why files are needed
• Clarify how they are stored
• State how long they are kept
• Describe customer rights (access, deletion, correction)

These practices strengthen gdpr prestashop uploads compliance and build customer trust.

Using a Secure PrestaShop File Upload Module

While PrestaShop’s native customization tool supports basic uploads, it lacks advanced security features such as robust validation, virus scanning, secure file paths, and multi-location uploads. 

This makes a dedicated module essential for stores handling sensitive or high-volume files.

A professional PrestaShop File Upload Module provides:

• Advanced file validation
• Allowed/blocked file type lists
• Automatic file renaming
• Secure directories outside the public root

GDPR-Compatible Retention Tools

• Permissions and admin controls
• Previews and customer-friendly UI
• Uploads on product, cart, and checkout pages

These features dramatically reduce security risks while improving usability.

Our PrestaShop File Upload Module ensures secure, compliant uploads throughout your store and is fully optimised for 2025 security standards.

Conclusion

File uploads are a powerful feature that enhances personalisation and streamlines ordering, but only when implemented securely. Insecure uploads open the door to malware, data breaches, GDPR violations, and damaged customer trust.

By applying strict validation, safe directories, HTTPS, virus scanning, and secure permissions, you create a strong defence against common attacks. And with a dedicated module, you gain full control over upload security across product pages, the cart, and checkout.