SQL injection (SQLi) is a type of cybersecurity attack that targets web applications and can have serious consequences if successful. It occurs if an attacker is able to injects malicious SQL code into a data base query without the system sanitizing the input.
SQL injection attacks can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and data manipulation.
What is the main reason why SQL Injection attacks are a common security vulnerability?
How SQL Injection Attacks Work
1. SQL injection attacks typically target web applications that accept user input, such as search boxes, login forms, and registration forms.
2. Attackers enter malicious SQL code into these input fields.
For example, they might input ' OR 1=1 -- into a login form's username field.
3. If the web application does not properly validate or sanitize user input, it may directly incorporate the attacker's input into SQL queries without proper checking.
4. The attacker's input gets executed as part of a SQL query. In the example above, the application may construct a query like this:
SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '' OR 1=1 --' AND password = 'somepassword'
The -- signifies a comment in SQL, effectively making the rest of the query irrelevant (the password part!). The 1=1 condition always evaluates to true, allowing the attacker to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access.
Which of the following is an example of a SQL Injection attack?
Preventing SQL Injection
Input Validation and Sanitization
Validate and sanitize all user input before using it in SQL queries. This includes using parameterized statements or prepared statements.
Parameterized Statements
Use parameterized queries or prepared statements provided by your database framework or ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) library. These methods automatically handle input validation and prevent SQL injection.
Stored Procedures
Use stored procedures whenever possible to encapsulate database logic. This reduces the risk of SQL injection by separating user input from SQL code.
To protect against SQL injection, it is recommended to and validate user input.
