What are Injection Attacks?
Injection attacks occur when untrusted data is sent to an interpreter as part of a command or query. Attackers can trick the interpreter into executing unintended commands or accessing unauthorized data. These vulnerabilities are prevalent, dangerous, and often easy to exploit.
🔎 Common Types of Injection
1. SQL Injection (SQLi)
Occurs when an attacker manipulates SQL queries through user input to read or alter database contents.
2. Command Injection
Allows attackers to execute arbitrary system-level commands on the host machine.
3. LDAP Injection
Targets Lightweight Directory Access Protocol queries to bypass authentication or access information.
4. XML Injection / XPath Injection
Manipulates XML or XPath queries to access unauthorized XML data.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: SQL Injection Example
Step 1: Find a Vulnerable Parameter
Try inserting a single quote (`'`) into an input field and observe the response.
Step 2: Attempt a Simple Payload
Input: ' OR 1=1--This bypasses basic authentication if the query is not properly sanitized.
Step 3: Use UNION-Based Injection
Input: ' UNION SELECT username, password FROM users--Retrieves sensitive data if table/column names are known or discoverable.
Step 4: Blind SQLi
When no errors or output are visible, use Boolean or time-based inference:
Input: ' AND 1=1-- (returns true)
Input: ' AND 1=2-- (returns false)🌐 Real-World Impact
In 2022, a major e-commerce platform leaked 3 million records due to a missed input sanitization check on a login form. The vulnerability allowed attackers to dump the entire user database via SQL injection.
💡 Practical Tips & Defense Strategies
- Always use prepared statements (parameterized queries)
- Never concatenate user input into commands or queries
- Apply input validation and output encoding
- Use ORM libraries that abstract raw query execution
- Enable detailed logging and monitor for anomalies
- Use
Content Security Policy (CSP)andWAFrules for added defense