SQL Injection (SQLI) is a type of security vulnerability that affects database-driven websites (These are websites or applications that have most of their contents in a database) and applications.
This vulnerability is caused by improper input validation and manipulation of database query commands. In simple terms, SQL Injection allows an attacker to insert malicious code into a database query, which can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of data, and even complete system compromise.
What are some examples of database-driven websites?
Some notable examples of database-driven websites are:
- E-commerce websites: Online shopping websites, such as Amazon, H&M, and eBay. They are database driven because they store customer information, product information, and transaction data in databases.
- Social media websites: Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, store user profiles, posts, and other information in databases.
- Banking and financial websites: Banking and financial websites, such as Moneygram and PayPal, store sensitive customer information, such as account numbers, login credentials, and financial transactions, in databases.
- Healthcare websites: Healthcare websites, such as NHS, store patient information, medical records, and other sensitive data in databases.
- Government websites: Many government websites, such as HMRC store sensitive information such as tax returns, and National Insurance Numbers in databases.
These are just a few examples of the types of websites that use databases to store and manage information.
How does SQL Injection work?
SQL Injection attacks are one of the most common security threats on the internet and are widely used by attackers to gain access to sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, login credentials, and personal data. Unfortunately, many organizations and businesses are not aware of the severity of this issue, and they often neglect to implement the necessary security measures to protect against SQL Injection attacks.
In this blog post, I will discuss what SQL injection is, the consequences of an SQL Injection attack, and the steps organizations and individuals can take to protect against and detect these types of attacks. I will also touch upon the importance of keeping software and systems up-to-date in order to minimize the risk of falling victim to an SQL Injection attack.
What could happen when there is a successful SQL Injection attack?
A successful SQL Injection (SQLI) attack can have severe consequences for both organizations and individuals. Here are a few of the most significant impacts:
- Confidential data exposure: SQL Injection attacks can allow attackers to access and steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, login credentials, personal data, and confidential business information.
- Data manipulation: Attackers can use SQL Injection to manipulate data stored in a database, leading to incorrect or false information being displayed to users, or even corrupting or destroying important data.
- System compromise: In severe cases, a successful SQL Injection attack can compromise the entire system, allowing the attacker to gain full control over the affected website or application.
- Financial losses: The costs associated with an SQL Injection attack can be substantial, including the cost of repairing the affected systems, investigating the attack, and potential lawsuits or fines if sensitive information is stolen.
- Reputation damage: A successful SQL Injection attack can severely damage the reputation of a business or organization, causing customers to lose trust and potentially resulting in long-term financial losses.
These consequences demonstrate the critical nature of protecting against SQL Injection attacks and the importance of taking proactive measures to minimize the risk of falling victim to an attack.
SQL Injection attacks don’t come via a one-way street. There are quite a couple of examples and by the time you’re reading this, there’s a big chance there is a new type of SQL Injection attack.
Listed below are some examples of SQL Injection attacks.
- Union-based SQL Injection can have a subtype of in-band and out-of-band SQL Injection and could also be in form of stacked queries SQL Injection
- Tautologies-based SQL Injection
- Blind SQL Injection which has a subtype of time-based and boolean-based SQL Injection
- Error-based SQL Injection
- Stored procedure SQL Injection
- Second-order SQL Injection
There’s quite a lot of it and in the coming weeks, there’s going to be a detailed explanation of every single one of the attacks listed above.
What brands or organisations have been a victim of SQL Injection attacks?
Listed below are popular brands and organizations that have been victims of SQL Injection attacks.
It’s worth noting that many organizations that have suffered from SQL Injection (SQL Injection) attacks do not publicly disclose the attack or the extent of the damage. However, here’s a list of some organizations that have been known to have suffered from SQL Injection attacks:
- Target: In 2013, the retailer suffered a major data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that resulted in the theft of 40 million credit and debit card numbers.
- Yahoo!: In 2013, the internet giant announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of three billion users.
- JPMorgan Chase: In 2014, the financial institution announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 76 million households and 7 million small businesses.
- Home Depot: In 2014, the retailer announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the payment information of 40 million customers.
- Sony Pictures: In 2014, the entertainment company suffered a major data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that resulted in the theft of sensitive corporate and employee information.
- Equifax: In 2017, the credit reporting agency announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 147 million consumers.
- Marriott International: In 2018, the hotel giant announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 500 million guests.
- Capital One: In 2019, the financial institution announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 100 million customers.
- British Airways: In 2018, the airline announced that it had suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 380,000 customers.
- TalkTalk: In 2015, the telecoms company suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 157,000 customers.
- Tesco Bank: In 2016, the bank suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 9,000 customers.
- Carphone Warehouse: In 2015, the electronics retailer suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 2.4 million customers.
- Morrisons: In 2014, the supermarket chain suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 100,000 employees.
- Dixons Carphone Warehouse: In 2013, the electronics retailer suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 1.2 million customers.
- BAe Systems: In 2009, the defense company suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised sensitive corporate and employee information.
- Pagegroup: In 2014, the recruitment company suffered a data breach as a result of an SQL Injection attack that compromised the personal information of 170,000 job applicants.
These examples demonstrate the potential consequences of a successful SQL Injection attack and the importance of implementing strong security measures to prevent these types of attacks.
How do organisations implement security measures to prevent SQL Injection attacks?
Organizations can implement the following comprehensive security measures to prevent SQL Injection (SQL Injection) attacks:
- Input validation: This involves verifying the data entered by users and ensuring that it is in the correct format and within the expected range. This can prevent malicious data from being inserted into SQL statements and executed.
- Parameterized queries: This involves using placeholders in SQL statements instead of directly concatenating user-supplied data into the statement. This helps to prevent malicious data from being interpreted as part of the SQL statement.
- Escaping special characters: This involves escaping any special characters that may be used in SQL statements. This helps to prevent malicious data from being interpreted as part of the SQL statement.
- Whitelisting input: This involves only allowing known, safe input data and rejecting any other data. This can prevent malicious data from being inserted into SQL statements.
- Regular software updates: This involves keeping software up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. This helps to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
- Encrypting sensitive data: This involves encrypting sensitive data stored in the database to protect it from unauthorized access in the event of a data breach.
- Access control: This involves controlling access to the database by defining roles and permissions for users. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
- Monitoring and logging: This involves monitoring and logging all database activity, including failed login attempts, SQL statements executed, and data changes. This helps to detect and respond to potential attacks on time.
- Regular security assessments: This involves regularly performing security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the database infrastructure.
- Employee training: This involves providing regular security training for employees to raise awareness of the risks of SQL Injection attacks and to encourage secure practices.
By implementing these security measures, organizations can reduce the risk of a successful SQL injection attack and protect sensitive data stored in their databases.
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Best
Tobi
