SQL Injection Testing Tutorial (Example and Prevention of SQL Injection Attack)

Illustrations of SQL Injection and Steps to Counter SQL Injection Threats on Web Applications

The main objective of a tester when evaluating a website or system is to ensure the highest level of protection for the product under examination.

This motive is typically served by carrying out security testing. Prior to initiating this kind of testing, it is crucial to recognize which types of attacks are most likely to transpire. SQL Injection is one such threatening attack.

Due to its high potential to inflict severe and adverse effects on your system and confidential data, SQL Injection is regarded as one of the most common attacks.

Comprehending SQL Injection

SQL Statements that an application uses to communicate with the database can integrate user inputs. However, managing user inputs can often pose a challenge for an application.

A malevolent user can exploit this gap by providing unanticipated inputs, which are then used to execute SQL statements on the database. This act of breach is known as SQL Injection and can have dire implications.

True to its name, SQL Injection is the process of injecting harmful SQL code.

Any field on a website can serve as a portal to the database. For instance, in a login form, the user provides login information, in a search field, the user enters search text, and in a data storing form, the user inputs data to be saved. All this data is relayed to the database.

If malevolent code is inputted in place of appropriate data, it can cause significant harm to the database and the entire system.

SQL Injection is performed using the SQL coding language, which is used to manage data stored in the database. In the course of this attack, this coding language code is employed as a harmful injection.

Due to the widespread use of databases across various technologies, SQL Injection is a highly popular attack.

Nearly all applications use databases. In a tested application, the user interface might permit user input for the following functions:

#1) Show pertinent stored data to the user, such as verifying user credentials using entered login details and displaying significant functionality and data to the user.

#2) Preserve user-provided data in the database, like keeping data from form submission to make it accessible to the user in the current and subsequent sessions.

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Suggested Tools

#1) Acunetix

Acunetix is a web application security scanner that aids in managing the security of your web assets. Capable of recognizing over 7000 vulnerabilities, which includes SQL injection. It uses advanced macro recording technology to scan intricate multi-level forms and password-secured areas of a site.

It is a straightforward, user-friendly tool that does not require extended setup or onboarding time. It executes scans quickly and offers features like scheduling, prioritizing scans, and automatically scanning new builds.

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#2) Netsparker

Netsparker provides a SQL Injection Vulnerability Scanner that can automatically detect different types of injection vulnerabilities. It utilizes Proof-Based Scanning™ Technology and offers features for penetration testing, remote file inclusions, assessing web server configurations, cross-site scripting, and more. Netsparker can easily be integrated with existing systems.

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Hazards of SQL Injection

In the digital world of today, databases are utilized in nearly every system and website for data storage.

The security risks to the system escalate since sensitive data is stored in databases. While the theft of data from a personal blog or website might not inflict substantial harm, the swiping of data from a banking system can lead to severe repercussions.

The primary aim of this attack is to hack the database of a system, which can culminate in destructive outcomes.

SQL Injection can result in:

• Breaking into another user’s account.
• Filching and duplicating sensitive data from a website or system.
• Alteration of critical data in the system.
• Elimination of critical data in the system.
• Affording unauthorized access to the application as another user with potentially administrator privileges.
• Attaining access to other users’ private information like profile details and transactional information.
• Interfering with application configuration and the data of other users.
• Modifying the structure of the database, including table deletion.
• Taking control of the database server and executing commands at will.

The aforementioned risks are serious since the restoration of a database or its data can prove to be expensive. It can also tarnish a company’s reputation and require considerable resources to recuperate lost data and systems.

Therefore, it is highly advised to shield your system from SQL Injection attacks and to consider Security Testing as a valuable investment for your product and your company’s reputation.

As a tester, it is vital to highlight that the testing for potential attacks is an effective practice even if Security Testing was not initially planned. This strategy ensures that the product is defended against unexpected scenarios and harmful users.

The Core of SQL Injection

As stated previously,