CWE-89
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Abstraction: Base · Status: Stable
The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
27639 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-59WM-WR93-73PF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-06 12:30 – Updated: 2023-08-06 12:30A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in SourceCodester Inventory Management System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file edit_sell.php. The manipulation of the argument up_pid leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The identifier VDB-236217 was assigned to this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-4182"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-06T10:15:09Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in SourceCodester Inventory Management System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file edit_sell.php. The manipulation of the argument up_pid leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The identifier VDB-236217 was assigned to this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-59wm-wr93-73pf",
"modified": "2023-08-06T12:30:19Z",
"published": "2023-08-06T12:30:19Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-4182"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.236217"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.236217"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59X4-7JM9-MRHQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-23 21:30 – Updated: 2025-12-30 18:30Improper input handling in /Grocery/search_products_itname.php inPuneethReddyHC event-management 1.0 permits SQL injection via the sitem_name POST parameter. Crafted payloads can alter query logic and disclose database contents. Exploitation may result in sensitive data disclosure and backend compromise.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-65354"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-23T20:15:46Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "Improper input handling in /Grocery/search_products_itname.php inPuneethReddyHC event-management 1.0 permits SQL injection via the sitem_name POST parameter. Crafted payloads can alter query logic and disclose database contents. Exploitation may result in sensitive data disclosure and backend compromise.",
"id": "GHSA-59x4-7jm9-mrhq",
"modified": "2025-12-30T18:30:16Z",
"published": "2025-12-23T21:30:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-65354"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/amaansiddd787/CVE-2025-65354"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.notion.so/JD-Cloud-Unauth-RCE-2d22b76e8e0c802c975bf186b208d0c2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59X8-4CPH-RJQ9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-12-02 15:31 – Updated: 2026-04-01 18:32Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Kiboko Labs Watu Quiz allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Watu Quiz: from n/a through 3.4.2.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-53792"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-12-02T14:15:19Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (\u0027SQL Injection\u0027) vulnerability in Kiboko Labs Watu Quiz allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Watu Quiz: from n/a through 3.4.2.",
"id": "GHSA-59x8-4cph-rjq9",
"modified": "2026-04-01T18:32:40Z",
"published": "2024-12-02T15:31:41Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-53792"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/watu/vulnerability/wordpress-watu-quiz-plugin-3-4-2-sql-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59XG-J66J-WGVC
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-05-23 06:30 – Updated: 2024-05-23 06:30A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /view/timetable_grade_wise.php. The manipulation of the argument grade leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-265988.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-5237"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-05-23T06:15:11Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /view/timetable_grade_wise.php. The manipulation of the argument grade leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-265988.",
"id": "GHSA-59xg-j66j-wgvc",
"modified": "2024-05-23T06:30:46Z",
"published": "2024-05-23T06:30:46Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-5237"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/E1CHO/cve_hub/blob/main/Complete%20Web-Based%20School%20Management%20System%20-%20sql/Complete%20Web-Based%20School%20Management%20System%20-%20vuln%2027.pdf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.265988"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.265988"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?submit.339813"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59XG-VGG8-C39X
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-06-30 00:00 – Updated: 2022-07-08 00:00Online Railway Reservation System v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /classes/Master.php?f=delete_message.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-33058"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-06-29T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Online Railway Reservation System v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /classes/Master.php?f=delete_message.",
"id": "GHSA-59xg-vgg8-c39x",
"modified": "2022-07-08T00:00:44Z",
"published": "2022-06-30T00:00:29Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-33058"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/k0xx11/bug_report/blob/main/vendors/oretnom23/online-railway-reservation-system/SQLi-6.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59XM-W7F6-PQ99
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-03-18 15:30 – Updated: 2025-04-16 18:31Vulnerability in AMSS++ version 4.31 that allows SQL injection through /amssplus/modules/book/main/bookdetail_khet_person.php, in multiple parameters. This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to send a specially crafted SQL query to the server and retrieve all the information stored in the DB.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-2587"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-03-18T14:15:10Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "Vulnerability in AMSS++ version 4.31 that allows SQL injection through /amssplus/modules/book/main/bookdetail_khet_person.php, in multiple\u00a0parameters. This vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to send a specially crafted SQL query to the server and retrieve all the information stored in the DB.",
"id": "GHSA-59xm-w7f6-pq99",
"modified": "2025-04-16T18:31:38Z",
"published": "2024-03-18T15:30:50Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-2587"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.incibe.es/en/incibe-cert/notices/aviso/multiple-vulnerabilities-amssplus-amss"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59XR-758C-9487
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-27 00:01 – Updated: 2022-05-29 00:00CSCMS Music Portal System v4.2 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /admin.php/news/admin/topic/save.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-29665"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-05-26T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "CSCMS Music Portal System v4.2 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /admin.php/news/admin/topic/save.",
"id": "GHSA-59xr-758c-9487",
"modified": "2022-05-29T00:00:39Z",
"published": "2022-05-27T00:01:08Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29665"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/chshcms/cscms/issues/19#issue-1207631855"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-59XV-588H-2VMM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-04-10 19:30 – Updated: 2026-04-10 19:30Summary
The jsexprToSQL() function in Saltcorn converts JavaScript expressions to SQL for use in database constraints. The Literal handler wraps string values in single quotes without escaping embedded single quotes, allowing SQL injection when creating Formula-type table constraints.
Vulnerable Component
File: packages/saltcorn-data/models/expression.ts, lines 117-118
Literal({ value }: { value: ExtendedNode }) {
if (typeof value == "string") return `'${value}'`; // NO ESCAPING!
return `${value}`;
},
Call chain: Formula constraint creation → table_constraints.ts:127 → jsexprToSQL() → Literal() → db.query() executes unsanitized SQL.
Proof of Concept
Injection via Formula Constraint
When an admin creates a Formula-type table constraint with the expression:
name === "test' OR '1'='1"
The jsexprToSQL() function generates:
(name)=('test' OR '1'='1')
This is then executed as:
ALTER TABLE "tablename" ADD CONSTRAINT "tablename_fml_1" CHECK ((name)=('test' OR '1'='1'));
The single quote in the string literal is not escaped, breaking out of the SQL string context.
More Dangerous Payload
name === "'; DROP TABLE users; --"
Generates:
(name)=(''; DROP TABLE users; --')
Verified on Saltcorn v1.5.0 (Docker)
Direct invocation of jsexprToSQL() inside the running container confirms the vulnerability:
Input: name === "hello"
Output: (name)=('hello') ← Normal
Input: name === "test' OR '1'='1"
Output: (name)=('test' OR '1'='1') ← Single quote NOT escaped, OR injected
Input: name === "'; DROP TABLE users; --"
Output: (name)=(''; DROP TABLE users; --') ← DROP TABLE injected
The test was performed on a completely fresh Saltcorn installation (zero user-created tables, default Docker setup).
PoC Screenshot
- Create a table after moving to the table menu
- Go to the table and then to
Constraits
- Go to
Formula
- Create a test table for verification
- Input the payload and save
- Check the table for testing
Impact
- Arbitrary SQL execution via crafted CHECK constraints
- Data exfiltration through error-based or time-based SQL injection
- Database schema manipulation (DROP TABLE, ALTER TABLE)
- Potential privilege escalation via direct
userstable modification
Suggested Remediation
Escape single quotes in the Literal handler:
Literal({ value }: { value: ExtendedNode }) {
if (typeof value == "string") return `'${value.replace(/'/g, "''")}'`;
return `${value}`;
},
Alternatively, use parameterized queries for constraint creation instead of string interpolation.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "@saltcorn/data"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.4.5"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "@saltcorn/data"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.5.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.5.5"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
},
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "npm",
"name": "@saltcorn/data"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "1.6.0-alpha.0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.6.0-beta.4"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2026-04-10T19:30:32Z",
"nvd_published_at": null,
"severity": "LOW"
},
"details": "## Summary\n\nThe `jsexprToSQL()` function in Saltcorn converts JavaScript expressions to SQL for use in database constraints. The `Literal` handler wraps string values in single quotes without escaping embedded single quotes, allowing SQL injection when creating Formula-type table constraints.\n\n\n## Vulnerable Component\n\n**File:** `packages/saltcorn-data/models/expression.ts`, lines 117-118\n\n```typescript\nLiteral({ value }: { value: ExtendedNode }) {\n if (typeof value == \"string\") return `\u0027${value}\u0027`; // NO ESCAPING!\n return `${value}`;\n},\n```\n\n**Call chain:** Formula constraint creation \u2192 `table_constraints.ts:127` \u2192 `jsexprToSQL()` \u2192 `Literal()` \u2192 `db.query()` executes unsanitized SQL.\n\n## Proof of Concept\n\n### Injection via Formula Constraint\n\nWhen an admin creates a Formula-type table constraint with the expression:\n\n```javascript\nname === \"test\u0027 OR \u00271\u0027=\u00271\"\n```\n\nThe `jsexprToSQL()` function generates:\n\n```sql\n(name)=(\u0027test\u0027 OR \u00271\u0027=\u00271\u0027)\n```\n\nThis is then executed as:\n\n```sql\nALTER TABLE \"tablename\" ADD CONSTRAINT \"tablename_fml_1\" CHECK ((name)=(\u0027test\u0027 OR \u00271\u0027=\u00271\u0027));\n```\n\nThe single quote in the string literal is not escaped, breaking out of the SQL string context.\n\n### More Dangerous Payload\n\n```javascript\nname === \"\u0027; DROP TABLE users; --\"\n```\n\nGenerates:\n\n```sql\n(name)=(\u0027\u0027; DROP TABLE users; --\u0027)\n```\n\n### Verified on Saltcorn v1.5.0 (Docker)\n\nDirect invocation of `jsexprToSQL()` inside the running container confirms the vulnerability:\n\n```\nInput: name === \"hello\"\nOutput: (name)=(\u0027hello\u0027) \u2190 Normal\n\nInput: name === \"test\u0027 OR \u00271\u0027=\u00271\"\nOutput: (name)=(\u0027test\u0027 OR \u00271\u0027=\u00271\u0027) \u2190 Single quote NOT escaped, OR injected\n\nInput: name === \"\u0027; DROP TABLE users; --\"\nOutput: (name)=(\u0027\u0027; DROP TABLE users; --\u0027) \u2190 DROP TABLE injected\n```\n\nThe test was performed on a completely fresh Saltcorn installation (zero user-created tables, default Docker setup).\n\n### PoC Screenshot\n\n1. Create a table after moving to the table menu\n\n\u003cimg width=\"1194\" height=\"559\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-edqn\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a2d11102-f49b-4b2b-88ff-fced37476b6f\" /\u003e\n\n\n2. Go to the table and then to `Constraits`\n\n\u003cimg width=\"1180\" height=\"600\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-edsg\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b55ddace-01be-4a53-8f62-cbec98172cd7\" /\u003e\n\n3. Go to `Formula`\n\n\u003cimg width=\"1130\" height=\"518\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-edud\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8a5addc6-e681-401b-91ea-bce3b0eece54\" /\u003e\n\n4. Create a test table for verification\n\n\u003cimg width=\"857\" height=\"294\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-eetw\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/debc8581-8145-44cb-a684-2bc3eb7adbcf\" /\u003e\n\n5. Input the payload and save\n\n\u003cimg width=\"763\" height=\"383\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-ehcz\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f7a3aa34-7b0b-48ea-b1df-f852f137c37f\" /\u003e\n\n6. Check the table for testing\n\n\u003cimg width=\"549\" height=\"256\" alt=\"SCR-20260307-ehuh\" src=\"https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8f6da842-0275-4729-93bf-96575f3fe963\" /\u003e\n\n\n\n## Impact\n\n- Arbitrary SQL execution via crafted CHECK constraints\n- Data exfiltration through error-based or time-based SQL injection\n- Database schema manipulation (DROP TABLE, ALTER TABLE)\n- Potential privilege escalation via direct `users` table modification\n\n## Suggested Remediation\n\nEscape single quotes in the `Literal` handler:\n\n```typescript\nLiteral({ value }: { value: ExtendedNode }) {\n if (typeof value == \"string\") return `\u0027${value.replace(/\u0027/g, \"\u0027\u0027\")}\u0027`;\n return `${value}`;\n},\n```\n\nAlternatively, use parameterized queries for constraint creation instead of string interpolation.",
"id": "GHSA-59xv-588h-2vmm",
"modified": "2026-04-10T19:30:32Z",
"published": "2026-04-10T19:30:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/saltcorn/saltcorn/security/advisories/GHSA-59xv-588h-2vmm"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/saltcorn/saltcorn"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "@saltcorn/data vulnerable to SQL Injection via jsexprToSQL Literal Handler"
}
GHSA-5C25-X6HC-JH4H
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-12-25 21:30 – Updated: 2023-01-04 03:30A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Blood Bank Management System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file login.php. The manipulation of the argument username/password leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The identifier VDB-216773 was assigned to this vulnerability.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-4737"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-12-25T20:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Blood Bank Management System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file login.php. The manipulation of the argument username/password leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The identifier VDB-216773 was assigned to this vulnerability.",
"id": "GHSA-5c25-x6hc-jh4h",
"modified": "2023-01-04T03:30:32Z",
"published": "2022-12-25T21:30:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-4737"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.216773"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://vuldb.com/?id.216773"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5C2C-Q7C7-HQ3R
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-03-27 18:31 – Updated: 2026-03-27 21:31A SQL Injection vulnerability exists in SourceCodester Online Food Ordering System v1.0 in the admin/view_product.php file via the "id" parameter.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-30532"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-89"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-03-27T16:16:23Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "A SQL Injection vulnerability exists in SourceCodester Online Food Ordering System v1.0 in the admin/view_product.php file via the \"id\" parameter.",
"id": "GHSA-5c2c-q7c7-hq3r",
"modified": "2026-03-27T21:31:35Z",
"published": "2026-03-27T18:31:26Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-30532"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/meifukun/Web-Security-PoCs/blob/main/Online-Food-Ordering-System/SQLi-ViewProduct-id.md"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation MIT-4
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
- For example, consider using persistence layers such as Hibernate or Enterprise Java Beans, which can provide significant protection against SQL injection if used properly.
Mitigation MIT-27
Strategy: Parameterization
- If available, use structured mechanisms that automatically enforce the separation between data and code. These mechanisms may be able to provide the relevant quoting, encoding, and validation automatically, instead of relying on the developer to provide this capability at every point where output is generated.
- Process SQL queries using prepared statements, parameterized queries, or stored procedures. These features should accept parameters or variables and support strong typing. Do not dynamically construct and execute query strings within these features using "exec" or similar functionality, since this may re-introduce the possibility of SQL injection. [REF-867]
Mitigation MIT-17
Strategy: Environment Hardening
- Run your code using the lowest privileges that are required to accomplish the necessary tasks [REF-76]. If possible, create isolated accounts with limited privileges that are only used for a single task. That way, a successful attack will not immediately give the attacker access to the rest of the software or its environment. For example, database applications rarely need to run as the database administrator, especially in day-to-day operations.
- Specifically, follow the principle of least privilege when creating user accounts to a SQL database. The database users should only have the minimum privileges necessary to use their account. If the requirements of the system indicate that a user can read and modify their own data, then limit their privileges so they cannot read/write others' data. Use the strictest permissions possible on all database objects, such as execute-only for stored procedures.
Mitigation MIT-15
For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
Mitigation MIT-28
Strategy: Output Encoding
- While it is risky to use dynamically-generated query strings, code, or commands that mix control and data together, sometimes it may be unavoidable. Properly quote arguments and escape any special characters within those arguments. The most conservative approach is to escape or filter all characters that do not pass an extremely strict allowlist (such as everything that is not alphanumeric or white space). If some special characters are still needed, such as white space, wrap each argument in quotes after the escaping/filtering step. Be careful of argument injection (CWE-88).
- Instead of building a new implementation, such features may be available in the database or programming language. For example, the Oracle DBMS_ASSERT package can check or enforce that parameters have certain properties that make them less vulnerable to SQL injection. For MySQL, the mysql_real_escape_string() API function is available in both C and PHP.
Mitigation MIT-5
Strategy: Input Validation
- Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does.
- When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue."
- Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
- When constructing SQL query strings, use stringent allowlists that limit the character set based on the expected value of the parameter in the request. This will indirectly limit the scope of an attack, but this technique is less important than proper output encoding and escaping.
- Note that proper output encoding, escaping, and quoting is the most effective solution for preventing SQL injection, although input validation may provide some defense-in-depth. This is because it effectively limits what will appear in output. Input validation will not always prevent SQL injection, especially if you are required to support free-form text fields that could contain arbitrary characters. For example, the name "O'Reilly" would likely pass the validation step, since it is a common last name in the English language. However, it cannot be directly inserted into the database because it contains the "'" apostrophe character, which would need to be escaped or otherwise handled. In this case, stripping the apostrophe might reduce the risk of SQL injection, but it would produce incorrect behavior because the wrong name would be recorded.
- When feasible, it may be safest to disallow meta-characters entirely, instead of escaping them. This will provide some defense in depth. After the data is entered into the database, later processes may neglect to escape meta-characters before use, and you may not have control over those processes.
Mitigation MIT-21
Strategy: Enforcement by Conversion
When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
Mitigation MIT-39
- Ensure that error messages only contain minimal details that are useful to the intended audience and no one else. The messages need to strike the balance between being too cryptic (which can confuse users) or being too detailed (which may reveal more than intended). The messages should not reveal the methods that were used to determine the error. Attackers can use detailed information to refine or optimize their original attack, thereby increasing their chances of success.
- If errors must be captured in some detail, record them in log messages, but consider what could occur if the log messages can be viewed by attackers. Highly sensitive information such as passwords should never be saved to log files.
- Avoid inconsistent messaging that might accidentally tip off an attacker about internal state, such as whether a user account exists or not.
- In the context of SQL Injection, error messages revealing the structure of a SQL query can help attackers tailor successful attack strings.
Mitigation MIT-29
Strategy: Firewall
Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth [REF-1481.
Mitigation MIT-16
Strategy: Environment Hardening
When using PHP, configure the application so that it does not use register_globals. During implementation, develop the application so that it does not rely on this feature, but be wary of implementing a register_globals emulation that is subject to weaknesses such as CWE-95, CWE-621, and similar issues.
CAPEC-108: Command Line Execution through SQL Injection
An attacker uses standard SQL injection methods to inject data into the command line for execution. This could be done directly through misuse of directives such as MSSQL_xp_cmdshell or indirectly through injection of data into the database that would be interpreted as shell commands. Sometime later, an unscrupulous backend application (or could be part of the functionality of the same application) fetches the injected data stored in the database and uses this data as command line arguments without performing proper validation. The malicious data escapes that data plane by spawning new commands to be executed on the host.
CAPEC-109: Object Relational Mapping Injection
An attacker leverages a weakness present in the database access layer code generated with an Object Relational Mapping (ORM) tool or a weakness in the way that a developer used a persistence framework to inject their own SQL commands to be executed against the underlying database. The attack here is similar to plain SQL injection, except that the application does not use JDBC to directly talk to the database, but instead it uses a data access layer generated by an ORM tool or framework (e.g. Hibernate). While most of the time code generated by an ORM tool contains safe access methods that are immune to SQL injection, sometimes either due to some weakness in the generated code or due to the fact that the developer failed to use the generated access methods properly, SQL injection is still possible.
CAPEC-110: SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter Tampering
An attacker modifies the parameters of the SOAP message that is sent from the service consumer to the service provider to initiate a SQL injection attack. On the service provider side, the SOAP message is parsed and parameters are not properly validated before being used to access a database in a way that does not use parameter binding, thus enabling the attacker to control the structure of the executed SQL query. This pattern describes a SQL injection attack with the delivery mechanism being a SOAP message.
CAPEC-470: Expanding Control over the Operating System from the Database
An attacker is able to leverage access gained to the database to read / write data to the file system, compromise the operating system, create a tunnel for accessing the host machine, and use this access to potentially attack other machines on the same network as the database machine. Traditionally SQL injections attacks are viewed as a way to gain unauthorized read access to the data stored in the database, modify the data in the database, delete the data, etc. However, almost every data base management system (DBMS) system includes facilities that if compromised allow an attacker complete access to the file system, operating system, and full access to the host running the database. The attacker can then use this privileged access to launch subsequent attacks. These facilities include dropping into a command shell, creating user defined functions that can call system level libraries present on the host machine, stored procedures, etc.
CAPEC-66: SQL Injection
This attack exploits target software that constructs SQL statements based on user input. An attacker crafts input strings so that when the target software constructs SQL statements based on the input, the resulting SQL statement performs actions other than those the application intended. SQL Injection results from failure of the application to appropriately validate input.
CAPEC-7: Blind SQL Injection
Blind SQL Injection results from an insufficient mitigation for SQL Injection. Although suppressing database error messages are considered best practice, the suppression alone is not sufficient to prevent SQL Injection. Blind SQL Injection is a form of SQL Injection that overcomes the lack of error messages. Without the error messages that facilitate SQL Injection, the adversary constructs input strings that probe the target through simple Boolean SQL expressions. The adversary can determine if the syntax and structure of the injection was successful based on whether the query was executed or not. Applied iteratively, the adversary determines how and where the target is vulnerable to SQL Injection.