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SQL Injections (SQLi) - Pen testing

Definition of SQL Injection

SQL Injection (SQLi) is a type of security vulnerability that allows an attacker to interfere with the queries that an application sends to its database. It occurs when an attacker is able to manipulate SQL queries by inserting (or "injecting") malicious SQL code into the input fields or parameters of a web application. The injected code can alter the intended behavior of the SQL query, allowing unauthorized access, data retrieval, modification, or deletion from the database. In severe cases, SQL injection can lead to full administrative control of the database or the underlying system.

Introduction to SQL Injections

SQL Injection is one of the oldest and most common forms of web application vulnerabilities. It occurs when user inputs are improperly sanitized or validated before being used in SQL queries. For example, consider a simple login page where users input their username and password. If the web application directly inserts these user inputs into an SQL query without proper validation, an attacker could input malicious SQL code (e.g., OR '1'='1') that alters the query’s logic.

This type of attack can give the attacker access to sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and even administrative privileges over the database. In some extreme cases, SQL injections can lead to remote code execution, where attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the server, gaining full control over the application and the server hosting it.

The reason why SQL injection remains a significant security threat is its simplicity and effectiveness. It doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge, only an understanding of how SQL queries work and the ability to exploit weakly coded applications.







Protecting against SQL injection typically involves using prepared statements (parameterized queries), input validation, and other best practices for secure coding. Regular security audits and vulnerability testing are also essential to ensure that applications remain safe from SQL injection attacks.


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