SQL Injection Vulnerability -Web Application Penetration Testing

SQL injection

By inserting a string of malicious code into a database query, attackers can access a web application database without authorization via the SQL injection method.

Websites are the most frequent victims of SQL injection attacks, which can target any programme that makes use of a SQL database. SQL databases like MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server are often used.

SQL injections are considered one of the most common security exploits, as evidenced by their presence on the list of OWASP top 10 threats to web application security. The existence of automated tools for performing SQL injections has increased both the possibility of SQLi exploits and the harm they may do..

A SQL injection (SQLi) manipulates SQL code to provide access to protected resources, such as sensitive data, or execute malicious SQL statements. When executed correctly, a SQL injection can expose intellectual property, customer data or the administrative credentials of a private business.

A SQL query is a query instructing an application database to carry out a certain function. Additionally, queries can be used to execute operating system instructions.

When a user executes a query, a set of parameters ensures that only the desired records are returned. Attackers make use of this by inserting malicious code into the query’s input form during a SQL injection.

An SQL injection attack starts by researching the operation of the targeted database. Various random values are entered into the query to see how the server replies in order to accomplish this.

Attackers then create a query that the server will understand and execute as a SQL command using what they have learnt about the database.

For example,

a database may have details on customers who have made purchases and have customer ID numbers. An attacker might enter “Customer-ID = 1000 OR 1=1” in the input box rather than looking for a specific customer ID.

As 1=1 is a constant, the SQL query would return all customer IDs that were accessible together with any associated data. As a result, the attacker can bypass authentication and acquire administrator-level access.

SQL attacks can be written to erase an entire database, avoid the requirement for passwords, remove records, or add undesired data in addition to returning illegal information.

There are a few different types of SQL injection attacks.

In-band SQLiInferential SQLiOut-of-band SQLi

An in-band SQLi is most commonly achieved through two methods: error-based and Union-based attacks.

The database is forced to generate error messages through error-based injection techniques, which disclose details about the database’s structure.Union-based attacks use prepared statements that exploit the SQL Union function, which combines the results of multiple queries into one result.

Inferential SQL injections, sometimes referred to as blind SQL injections, occur when hackers transmit data payloads to a database server in order to monitor its reaction and behavior without being able to see what is actually happening inside the database. The attacker can modify their attack plan using the server’s response, which offers hints.

An inferential SQLi may be time-based or Boolean.

A time-based SQLi specifies a response periodBoolean SQLi employs true or false statements to elicit a response.

When hackers use the domain name system or HTTP queries to access data, this is known as an out-of-band SQLi.

Normally, an out-of-band SQLi is only executed when a web server is too sluggish or when it is impossible to run an in-band SQLi.

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