Websites, programs, and apps are all powered by databases that store all the key data for them to operate. A standardized query language is required to retrieve information from a database. SQL is one such query language that’s used by web apps to retrieve large amounts of information from a database each time a website is accessed. Cybercriminals utilize what’s known as SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to databases. Read on to learn what happens during an SQL injection attack and how to protect yourself from one. Also discover how Avira Free Security can help boost your online security and anonymity.
Definition: What is an SQL injection?
SQL is a language used to communicate with databases. The language can read, retrieve, and modify data in a database, allowing you to view, change, and delete information stored there. The abbreviation SQL stands for structured query language.
Databases are a very attractive target for hackers owing to the vast amount of information stored in them. Cybercriminals cause immense damage every year through targeted data theft or manipulation of data records. Through SQL injection (SQLi), cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to databases relatively easily. It doesn’t even involve elaborate hacking methods — simple code commands entered into existing input fields are all it takes.
To explain: With SQLi, hackers place fraudulent code in an input field, such as a search box or registration form. The website mistakenly interprets this command as a legitimate database query and grants access to all the data, information, and the possibility to manipulate it.
How exactly does SQL injection work?
The goal of SQLi is to inject malicious code into a website, app, or program. When this fraudulent SQL command is inserted into a normal input field, the database executes the respective command and the attacker gains unauthorized access.
It’s only when SQL database scripts and the source code contain errors or flaws that SQL injection is possible. These security vulnerabilities often arise when the connection between a web application and the respective database is configured incorrectly.
Important to know: Not every website that uses SQL as a database language automatically poses a security risk. However, hackers are able to spy on the security vulnerabilities in apps, websites, and programs and exploit them.
How do cybercriminals employ SQL injection?
SQL injection attacks are aimed primarily at banks, authorities, research institutions, and mid- to large-size enterprises. The potential damage from such an attack is often very extensive. That’s because databases contain a host of sensitive files — from internal business information, strategies, and plans to documentation.
That said, SQL injection attacks can also affect private individuals. Attackers can misuse your personal information (email address, passwords, account details, etc.) or resell it on the dark web. This form of cybercrime is referred to as identity theft.
With Avira Identity Assistant, you can check whether your sensitive personal data has already found its way onto the dark web.
Is SQL injection illegal?
The short answer is: Yes. SQL injection is illegal if it gives you unauthorized access to data. This means that it’s a punishable offense if you access someone else’s data without permission — such as under the CFAA in the US and section 202a of the Criminal Code in Germany. The offense in this case refers to data espionage.
Specifically, the German Criminal Code states: “Whoever, without being authorised to do so, obtains access, by circumventing the access protection, for themselves or another, to data which were not intended for them and were specially protected against unauthorised access incurs a penalty of imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine.”
What types of SQL injection are there?
Hackers will use different tactics depending on how a system is set up and how it reacts. Basically, hackers observe and analyze their target and then decide on a course of action. The three most common types of SQL injection include an unsanitized input, a blind SQL injection, and an out-of-band injection.
Unsanitized input
User input is neither filtered nor sanitized. This means that user input is not validated or verified. Hackers enter their code into the input field, then the database executes this code without checking. This type of unsanitized input makes SQL injection attacks easy because the database executes all commands immediately without questioning them.
Blind SQL injection
If databases do not display an error message when something invalid is input, cybercriminals resort to blind SQL injection. This method is based on trial and error. The hackers test various SQL queries and analyze the website’s indirect reactions, such as response time. Using this special form of exclusion process, they draw conclusions about the structure of a database and its contents.
Out-of-band SQL injection
With this form of SQL injection, hackers send data over other communication channels that aren’t intended for the application. This method is attractive to criminals when the database provides direct feedback. Hackers then use special internet requests to trick the application into revealing the desired information.
H2. What impacts do SQL injection attacks have?
Successful SQLi attacks often have serious consequences for companies and individuals. The most common risks include:
- Bypassing authentication: Attackers can gain access easily to entire systems, especially with weak SQL statements to authenticate credentials during login
- Sensitive data is stolen: Data is accessed and stolen without authorization
- Modification/deletion of data: Data is deliberately manipulated to cause damage
- User data is stolen: Personal data such as email addresses, telephone numbers, and addresses are stolen and misused for criminal purposes
- Data integrity is attacked: Attackers manipulate information in the system or delete it irreversibly
- Administrator access: Attackers can give themselves admin rights and modify critical system settings as well as influence how the system behaves
How to spot an SQL injection attack
Compared to many other hacking methods, SQL injection is difficult to detect because it leaves hardly any traces. In principle, although these are completely regular database queries, it’s the content of the query that’s the issue. Nevertheless, there are some tell-tale signs of an SQL injection attack:
- Unusual error messages: The application returns SQL-related error messages
- Traceable data manipulation: Data disappears or is changed
- Unusual entries/queries: There are unusual entries that are particularly long and complex
- Log file analysis: Log files are analyzed to trace all server and database activities
How can you prevent SQL injection attacks?
As a private individual, you will rarely be the target of an SQL injection attack. As such, you don’t need to take much action. That said, there are some ways you can stay safer online and minimize the risks of identity theft.
- Use strong passwords: Always opt for complex passwords consisting of arbitrary numbers, letters, and special characters. Never reuse passwords.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Set up 2FA or MFA (multi-factor authentication). Authentication apps are secure, easy to use, and make life tough for criminals.
- Firewall: Set up a web application firewall that detects, reports, and prevents unauthorized external access.
- Eliminate dependencies: Try to keep things local and minimize your dependency on external services and databases. The less information websites, apps, and services hold on you, the less surface area you offer hackers to attack.
Enjoy additional protection thanks to Avira Free Security
Staying alert and handling your own data carefully will help you navigate the internet safely and improve your protection against attacks. For even stronger shielding, we recommend Avira Free Security.
With this all-in-one solution, you get to enjoy added real-time protection against malware and strengthened security for your devices and data on the network. You can also use the integrated VPN (virtual private network) tool to conceal your activities and location on the internet. This not only allows you to surf more securely on public networks but also enables you to access country-specific multimedia content from anywhere in the world.