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What Is SQL Injection

SQL Injection is a web application vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through unsanitized user input, potentially bypassing logins, accessing sensitive data, or compromising the entire database. Famous breaches, such as Sony Pictures, highlight the severe consequences of this vulnerability. Preventative measures include using prepared statements, validating inputs, and limiting database permissions to enhance security.

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3 views2 pages

What Is SQL Injection

SQL Injection is a web application vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through unsanitized user input, potentially bypassing logins, accessing sensitive data, or compromising the entire database. Famous breaches, such as Sony Pictures, highlight the severe consequences of this vulnerability. Preventative measures include using prepared statements, validating inputs, and limiting database permissions to enhance security.

Uploaded by

puns25301
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is SQL Injection?

(A Simple Guide
for Beginners)
Date: July 6, 2025

Introduction

Imagine you’re at a restaurant. You give your food order to the waiter, and they deliver exactly
what you asked for.

But what if a hacker walked in and added their own dangerous dish to your order—and the
kitchen just cooked it anyway?

That’s what happens in a SQL Injection attack.

It’s one of the oldest and most dangerous vulnerabilities in web applications. Let’s break it down
in simple terms.

How SQL Injection Works

SQL Injection exploits vulnerabilities in web applications that use SQL databases. When an
application constructs SQL queries using unsanitized user input, an attacker can inject
malicious SQL code into the input field.

Here’s a normal SQL query used during login:

SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'john' AND password = '12345';

But what if someone types this instead of a username?

' OR '1'='1

Now the query becomes:

SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '' OR '1'='1' AND password = '12345';

This always returns true—letting attackers log in without valid credentials.


Why is it Dangerous?

SQL Injection attacks can have severe consequences for web applications and their users:

●​ Bypass Logins: Attackers can gain unauthorized access to user accounts or


administrative panels.
●​ View or Delete Sensitive Data: They can read, modify, or delete confidential
information stored in the database, such as user credentials, financial data, or personal
records.
●​ Even Take Control of the Entire Database: In some cases, attackers can execute
arbitrary commands on the server, leading to full system compromise.

Famous breaches like Sony Pictures (2011) happened due to poor input sanitization,
highlighting the real-world impact of SQL Injection.

How to Prevent It

Preventing SQL Injection requires careful coding practices and robust security measures:

●​ Use Prepared Statements (Parameterized Queries): This is the most effective


defense. Prepared statements force the database to distinguish between code and data,
preventing malicious input from being executed as part of the SQL query.
○​ Languages like Python, PHP, and Java support this.
●​ Validate and Sanitize Inputs: Never trust user input—always filter and encode it. This
involves removing or escaping special characters that could be interpreted as SQL
commands.
●​ Limit Database Permissions: Grant the database user only the necessary permissions
to perform its functions. Even if injected, attackers can’t do much if permissions are
restricted. For example, a web application user should not have permissions to drop
tables or create new users.

Conclusion

SQL Injection might sound technical, but at its core, it’s just a failure to ask: “Is this input safe?”

By learning how to write secure code and validate inputs, we protect not just data—but people’s
trust.

Written by Puneet Devnani Technical Writing Enthusiast | LinkedIn:


linkedin.com/in/puneetdevnani

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