Structured query language (SQL) is a widely used programming language for database management. Not surprisingly, cybercriminals have found ways to exploit database vulnerabilities through something known as SQL injection, or SQL injection attacks, making SQL injection security essential.
What are SQL injections?
Web applications and websites store data in SQL databases. SQL injection is a way of gaining control of databases by manipulating how it communicates with SQL.
What is an SQL injection attack?
In an SQL injection attack, attackers gain access to the front end of your website or application by inserting arbitrary SQL code into the database query, which gives them control of your database. This means attackers purposely and maliciously input unexpected data into the address bar, ID or password. The unexpected input confuses the database and forces it to carry out abnormal actions—typically, actions that benefit the attacker.
For example, suppose your web application fails to detect this unexpected input. When this vulnerability isn't patched or detected, attackers can inject input (data) directly into the database—thus gaining the ability to modify, copy or delete data directly within your database.
Why does SQL injection pose a security risk?
An SQL injection attack can be crippling, whether it's a result of downtime, attack recovery costs, regulatory penalties or negative publicity, which is why it is important for businesses to take measures to help prevent SQL injection attacks. Many well-publicized examples of SQL injection attacks involve data confidentiality breaches, which can result in significant financial losses. One specific example of an SQL injection application that can occur is in banking, where an attacker could use SQL injection to transfer money to their account or alter account balances.
How to help prevent SQL injection attacks?
The first step in helping to prevent SQL injection attacks is to embrace a mindset shift about security that assumes any input to your web application database is untrustworthy and should be treated accordingly. Assume that a breach is a “when,” not an “if.”
SQL injection prevention best practices
Wondering how to avoid an SQL injection attack? While that might not be possible, you can help protect your organization from an attack by implementing some SQL injection prevention measures. If you're developing your own websites, services or applications, taking steps to prevent SQL injection should begin at the application development stage.
When you develop applications, you should emphasize the following:
- Validation of user inputs
- Sanitation of data inputs
- Back-end hardening and tightening of the operating system and database operations, users and privileges
If applied correctly, these mitigating strategies can help to prevent SQL injection attacks from the onset.
If you're simply running a WordPress site, however, best practices for SQL injection prevention include:
- Installing a security plug-in
- Using only trusted plug-ins and themes
- Updating your website on a regular basis
In addition, consider implementing the following SQL injection prevention best practices:
- Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests to keep tabs on your security posture.
- Apply principles of least privilege and separation of duties in related database users, processes and applications, which means no user or service should have any more access or rights than required to run.
- Use a web application firewall (WAF) as well as host- and network-based intrusion detection systems for adherence to alert and monitoring policies.
For in-house or third-party developers, SQL libraries should perform input sanitization, which scrubs user data to remove anything potentially malicious. An excellent resource for discovering and testing your SQL injection vulnerabilities is Open Web Application Security Project's free tool.
Technologies that can help to prevent SQL injection attacks
Some software application security testing technologies can help mitigate this threat, like static application security testing or dynamic application security testing, which complement each other during the development process. But for many organizations, third-party cloud-based WAF providers (also on-premises WAF providers) can provide the most modern and robust protection when configured correctly.
Because SQL injection attacks are inexpensive and easy to execute, they remain an easy avenue for cybercriminals to steal information from vulnerable databases. By employing some due diligence and SQL injection prevention measures, you can help to lessen the chance that your organization will become a victim of an SQL injection attack.
Whether it’s an SQL injection attack, or some other form of attack, such as ransomware, bot-net, social engineering or zero-day, cybercriminals continue to find new ways to exploit organizations. That’s why it’s important that companies do all they can to minimize their vulnerabilities. Discover how Verizon can help you secure your business to protect what's important.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.