What is SQL Injection Vulnerability?

With the advent of AI-centric features within development platforms like GitHub Co-pilot, learning SQL and other programming languages has become increasingly simple. The barriers to learning new languages have never been so minimal, with OpenAI's GPT-4 pushing the limits of how quickly AI can help developers pick up new skills. 

However, these new developments also increase concerns about the practical applications of writing secure SQL code, which might open the door for attackers to take advantage of vulnerabilities in poorly written code. One such vulnerability to be mindful of is SQL injection vulnerability.

Before we understand the vulnerability aspect of SQL injection, let's go through the SQL usage lifecycle in a typical application. 

When developers use custom code to create a SQL query on the fly, they usually filter data with values, which are filled dynamically based on the code execution time. If the necessary checks are not performed before these dynamically loaded values are passed to the SQL query, then an attacker who gained access to the program code can bypass the intended programming sequence and get access to a much larger SQL dataset with the manipulated SQL query. This method of manipulating the parameters to tweak a SQL query in application code execution is known as SQL injection.

To further unpack this vulnerability, let’s peek at an actual code sample. Consider the example below, where the SQL query inserted into a sample program looks explicitly for products in an online store that equals a specific string: 

string query = "SELECT * FROM store_products WHERE product_name = '" + ProductName.Text +  "'";

With the right set of creative inputs, an attacker could manipulate the value passed to the ProductName, text parameter to bypass the original SQL query and get access to a much larger data set. If you add privileged access to the mix, the attacker could also gain access to restricted data sets for a given role and get access to sensitive data.

Most SQL injection attacks have been thwarted in modern applications and databases with good programming standards and the setting up of allow and deny configuration lists for restricting the inputs provided to dynamically generated queries. However, there might still be legacy applications with outdated code bases (maintained over the years) that aren’t fully set up with the proper safeguards. 

One such example for older applications is the Magento SQL injection vulnerability which Adobe reported and patched in 2022. Although Adobe swiftly provided an update, many Magento storefronts were still vulnerable after the update was made available due to low patch adoption. 

There are a considerable number of impact scenarios that attackers can exploit using SQL injections, but some of the high-impact categories could be described as follows:

• Gaining access to hidden data sets

• Changing application logic

• Modifying database structures

All these categories could have far-reaching impacts beyond the present application in which the attack is being executed, with some cases reported to have rendered the underlying OS vulnerable. In most cases, the attack is not discovered for extended periods, where the attacker can continue using the exact attack mechanism to gain prolonged access to sensitive data. 

Again, SQL injection vulnerabilities might affect the database in question over the first order of impact but can continue to have a cascading security impact on other application areas, including web development. As a result, your IT team must stay on top of not just legacy applications but all applications accessing your organization's data. 

Enforce good programming standards

Use a blend of modernizing legacy applications, strong input validation practices, and rigorous testing of security standards as a baseline for all development teams in the organization.

Patch frequently

Patching your database infrastructure and software regularly is the tested approach to thwart attackers. Also, updating your apps and servers with the latest updates in an automated process will be your best bet in safeguarding against SQL injection attacks.

Enforce strong security controls

Stop bad actors from accessing your IT infrastructure by establishing strong access policies and authentication methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA).