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SQL Injection
by Md. Ashif Islam
Introduction to SQL Injection
How SQL Injection Works
Types of SQL Injection Attacks
Common Vulnerabilities
Impact of SQL Injection
Preventing SQL Injection
Testing for SQL Injection
Case Studies
Future of SQL Injection
Conclusion
Additional Resources
Quiz
Introduction to SQL Injection
SQL injection is a type of cyber attack where an attacker
uses malicious SQL code to gain unauthorized access to
a database. This can result in sensitive information being
stolen, modified, or deleted without the knowledge or
consent of the business or its customers.
The consequences of an SQL injection attack can be
severe, ranging from financial losses to reputational
damage. In some cases, businesses have been forced to
shut down entirely as a result of an SQL injection attack.
It is crucial that businesses take proactive measures to
prevent such attacks from occurring.
How SQL Injection Works
SQL injection is a type of cyber attack where an attacker
uses malicious SQL code to gain unauthorized access to
a database. This is typically achieved by exploiting
vulnerabilities in web applications that do not properly
validate user input. Once the attacker has gained access
to the database, they can steal sensitive information or
modify data to suit their needs.
The process of SQL injection involves injecting
malicious SQL code into a vulnerable web application.
This code is then executed by the database, allowing the
attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain
access to sensitive data. Attackers can also use SQL
injection to modify or delete data, causing significant
damage to businesses and individuals.
What are SQL queries


SQL is a standardized language used to access and
manipulate databases to build customizable data views
for each user. SQL queries are used to execute
commands, such as data retrieval, updates, and record
removal. Different SQL elements implement these tasks,
e.g., queries using the SELECT statement to retrieve
data, based on user-provided parameters.

SELECT ItemName,
ItemDescription
FROM Item
WHERE ItemNumber = ItemNumber
Types of SQL Injection Attacks
SQL injections typically fall under three categories: In-
band SQLi (Classic), Inferential SQLi (Blind) and Out-of-
band SQLi. You can classify SQL injections types based
on the methods they use to access backend data and
their damage potential.
In-band SQLi
The attacker uses the same channel of communication
to launch their attacks and to gather their results. In-
band SQLi’s simplicity and efficiency make it one of the
most common types of SQLi attack. There are two sub-
variations of this method:
• Error-based SQLi—the attacker performs actions
that cause the database to produce error messages.
The attacker can potentially use the data provided by
these error messages to gather information about the
structure of the database.
• Union-based SQLi—this technique takes advantage
of the UNION SQL operator, which fuses multiple
select statements generated by the database to get a
single HTTP response. This response may contain
data that can be leveraged by the attacker.
Inferential (Blind) SQLi
The attacker sends data payloads to the server and
observes the response and behavior of the server to
learn more about its structure. This method is called
blind SQLi because the data is not transferred from the
website database to the attacker, thus the attacker
cannot see information about the attack in-band.
Blind SQL injections rely on the response and behavioral
patterns of the server so they are typically slower to
execute but may be just as harmful. Blind SQL injections
can be classified as follows:
• Boolean—that attacker sends a SQL query to the
database prompting the application to return a result.
The result will vary depending on whether the query
is true or false. Based on the result, the information
within the HTTP response will modify or stay
unchanged. The attacker can then work out if the
message generated a true or false result.
• Time-based—attacker sends a SQL query to the
database, which makes the database wait (for a
period in seconds) before it can react. The attacker
can see from the time the database takes to respond,
whether a query is true or false. Based on the result,
an HTTP response will be generated instantly or after
a waiting period. The attacker can thus work out if
the message they used returned true or false, without
relying on data from the database.
Out-of-band SQLi
The attacker can only carry out this form of attack when
certain features are enabled on the database server
used by the web application. This form of attack is
primarily used as an alternative to the in-band and
inferential SQLi techniques.
Out-of-band SQLi is performed when the attacker can’t
use the same channel to launch the attack and gather
information, or when a server is too slow or unstable for
these actions to be performed. These techniques count
on the capacity of the server to create DNS or HTTP
requests to transfer data to an attacker.
Common Vulnerabilities
One of the most common vulnerabilities that can be
exploited by SQL injection attacks is poorly designed
input validation mechanisms. This occurs when an
application fails to properly validate user input, allowing
attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the
database. Attackers can then use this code to gain
unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Another vulnerability that can be exploited by SQL
injection attacks is weak authentication mechanisms.
This occurs when an application uses weak or easily
guessable passwords, or when it fails to properly
authenticate users before granting them access to
sensitive data. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses
to gain access to sensitive data without proper
authorization.
Impact of SQL Injection
An SQL injection attack can have devastating
consequences for a business. Attackers can gain
unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as customer
information and financial records. This can lead to loss of
customer trust and damage to the company's reputation.
In addition, businesses may face financial losses due to
legal fees, regulatory fines, and lost revenue.
One real-world example is the 2017 Equifax breach,
where hackers exploited an SQL injection vulnerability to
steal personal information from over 140 million people.
The breach cost the company over $1 billion in damages
and led to the resignation of several top executives. This
illustrates the severity of the issue and the need for
proactive measures to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Preventing SQL Injection
One of the best practices for preventing SQL injection
attacks is to use parameterized queries. This involves
using placeholders in your SQL statements, which are
then replaced with user input at runtime. This ensures
that user input is treated as data, rather than as
executable code. For example, instead of concatenating
user input directly into a SQL statement, you might use a
parameterized query like this: SELECT * FROM users
WHERE username = ? AND password = ?
Another best practice for preventing SQL injection
attacks is to perform input validation on all user input.
This involves checking that user input meets certain
criteria, such as length and format, before using it in a
SQL statement. For example, you might validate that a
username contains only alphanumeric characters and is
between 6 and 20 characters long. If user input fails
validation, it should be rejected and an error message
displayed to the user.
Testing for SQL Injection
Testing for SQL injection vulnerabilities is a critical part
of securing any web application that interacts with a
database. One popular tool for testing SQL injection
vulnerabilities is SQLmap, which is an open-source
penetration testing tool that automates the process of
detecting and exploiting SQL injection flaws. However,
manual testing techniques can also be effective in
identifying vulnerabilities.
When testing for SQL injection vulnerabilities, it's
important to try different types of attacks, such as in-
band and inferential attacks. In addition, it's important to
thoroughly test all input fields, including search boxes,
login forms, and contact forms. To mitigate
vulnerabilities, developers should use parameterized
queries and input validation to prevent malicious SQL
code from being executed.
Case Studies
In 2017, Equifax suffered a massive data breach that
exposed the personal information of over 143 million
people. The breach was caused by an SQL injection
attack that exploited a vulnerability in the company's
website. The attackers were able to gain access to
sensitive data such as names, birth dates, social security
numbers, and addresses. This breach cost Equifax $700
million in damages and lost business, and severely
damaged their reputation.
In 2009, Heartland Payment Systems, a payment
processing company, suffered an SQL injection attack
that resulted in the theft of over 130 million credit card
numbers. The attackers used a technique called 'file
inclusion remote code execution' to install malware on
the company's servers, which allowed them to steal the
credit card data. This breach cost Heartland over $140
million in damages and lost business, and also severely
damaged their reputation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SQL injection is a serious threat to
businesses that cannot be ignored. Attackers can use
this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to
sensitive information, resulting in financial losses and
loss of customer trust.
However, there are proactive measures that can be
taken to prevent SQL injection attacks, such as using
parameterized queries and input validation. It is
important for businesses to prioritize security and stay
vigilant against emerging threats.
Additional Resources
For those interested in delving deeper into the world of
SQL injection, there are a plethora of resources
available. One recommended book is 'SQL Injection
Attacks and Defense' by Justin Clarke. This book
provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and
preventing SQL injection attacks. Additionally, online
courses such as 'SQL Injection: Understanding and
Preventing' on Pluralsight can provide valuable insights
and practical knowledge.
There are also numerous articles available online that
cover various aspects of SQL injection, including
common vulnerabilities and prevention techniques. A
few notable ones include 'The Top 10 Most Common
Mistakes That Lead to SQL Injection' by Chris Shiflett
and 'Preventing SQL Injection Attacks with Stored
Procedures' by Brian Carrig. These articles offer
practical advice and real-world examples for businesses
looking to protect themselves against SQL injection
attacks.
Quiz
Welcome to the SQL Injection Quiz! This quiz will test
your knowledge on the various types of SQL injection
attacks, prevention measures and case studies.
Are you ready? Let's get started!