SQL Injection

Glossary

What is an SQL Injection?

An SQL injection, often known as SQLi, is a vulnerability in which an attacker manipulates a database and acquires access to potentially valuable information.

It is also one of the most common and hostile campaigns, as it can potentially target any web app or website that uses an SQL-based database.

SQL is a programming query language that allows users to access, edit, and delete data from relational databases. Because most websites and web apps rely on SQL databases, an SQL injection attack can be detrimental to organisations.

An SQL query is a request to a database to run a particular activity or function, such as data querying or SQL code execution. For example, login information is submitted using a web form to provide users access to a site.

This web form is typically intended to take only specified information, such as a name and password. When such information is entered, it is compared to a database; if the records match, the user is permitted access; if not, their access will be denied.

Most web forms do not include a means to prevent more data from being entered, which might lead to problems. Attackers can use this flaw and submit their requests to the database through the form’s input boxes. This could enable them to engage in malicious acts, such as stealing sensitive data or altering database information for their gain.

SQL injection vulnerabilities are among the oldest and most common types of cyberattacks. Hence, various innovations in the hacker community using such flaws have raised the risk of this attack, most notably the availability of tools for detecting and exploiting SQL injection.

These tools are freely available from open-source developers and enable cybercriminals to automate attacks in minutes by granting them access to any table or column in the database with a single click and attack procedure.

Signs of an SQL Injection Attack

A successful SQL injection attack may not produce any symptoms at all. However, there are specific symptoms that may occur during the attack process, such as:

  1. Receiving too many requests in a short period.
  2. Ads are redirecting to questionable websites.
  3. Strange pop-ups and message mistakes.

Types of SQL Injection

SQL injections are classified into three types based on how they obtain access to back-end data and the potential damage they create.

  1. In-band SQL injection: This SQLi attack is simple for attackers since they use the same communication route to launch attacks and collect results. This sort of SQL injection attack has two sub-variants:
    • Error-based SQLi: The attacker’s actions cause the database to create an error message. The attacker uses the data supplied by these error messages to learn about the database infrastructure.
    • Union-based SQLi: To retrieve the needed data, the attacker utilises the UNION SQL operator to unite many select statements into a single HTTP response.
  2. Inferential SQLi: This type of SQLi involves attackers analysing the server’s response and behavioural patterns after presenting data payloads to learn more about its structure. Inferential SQLi can be divided into two subtypes:
    • Time-based SQLi: Attackers send an SQL query to the database, which waits a few seconds before returning true or false.
    • Boolean SQLi: Attackers send an SQL query to the database, and the application responds by returning either true or false.
  3. Out-of-band SQL integration: This type of SQL attack occurs in two scenarios: when attackers cannot use the same channel to deploy the attack and collect information and when a server is too slow or unstable to perform certain operations.

Impact of SQL Injection Attacks

A successful SQL injection attack might have significant implications for a company. This is because an SQL injection campaign can have various implications, such as:

  1. Attackers can retrieve data, potentially revealing sensitive information stored on the SQL server.
  2. Malicious entities might alter or wipe data from a targeted system.
  3. Depending on the data stored on the SQL server, an attack may reveal sensitive user information such as addresses, phone numbers, and credit card details.
  4. An attacker can use malicious code to acquire system access if a database user has admin capabilities.
  5. If a target employs insecure SQL commands to validate usernames and passwords, an attacker may obtain access to the system without knowing a user’s credentials. From there, attackers can cause various damages by accessing and modifying sensitive data.
  6. SQL injection attacks enable attackers to spoof identities, modify data, reveal system details, destroy or make the system unavailable, and gain administrative control of the database server. These attacks can have significant consequences for enterprises, including losing client trust if personal user data is compromised.
  7. An SQL injection attack has a financial cost. Still, if personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card data is stolen, it can also result in loss of customer confidence and reputational damage.

Therefore, businesses should place security measures that prevent or lessen the implications of SQL injection campaigns.

How can iZOOlogic help my Company or Organisation?

Find out how iZOOlogic can provide protection against SQL injection attacks through our Incident Response services.

To find out more about how iZOOlogic can help protect your company’s cyber security, schedule a demo.