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SQL Injection: How to Halt Hackers

SQL Injection: How to Halt Hackers
Mateusz Czerewko

Mateusz Czerewko • QA Engineer

from Cogworks • 03 Oct 2024 • 1 min read

Kickstart Cyber Security Awareness Month with expert QA tips on preventing SQL Injection attacks...here's how to stay ahead of the game.

This October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

SQL injection.

This is a kind of cyberattack where hackers can break into your company's systems and mess with your data by taking advantage of weak spots in your web applications.

Recently, a system called FlyCASS, used by airlines, was attacked because of this. The Verge reported security could be easily bypassed by using a simple SQL injection technique.

During this attack, hackers were able to change employee information and gain access to secure areas, like aeroplane cockpits, bypassing security. 

SQL Injections in the context of a website

SQL injection attacks target databases by exploiting weak points in web applications. These attacks are common across any sector that stores sensitive data, such as client information or payment details. A successful attack can lead to data theft, unauthorized access, and financial losses, making them a serious threat to businesses relying on web-based systems

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How can you stay safe from this kind of SQL Injection attacks?

Let's keep it simple:

Test Your Web Forms:

Ensure that fields where people enter information—like usernames, passwords, or employee IDs—are secure. Test these by entering strange inputs (like ' OR 1=1 --) to see if your system reacts unsafely. If it does, that means your system might be vulnerable.

Use Security Tools:

There are tools that can automatically check your systems for weak spots, like OWASP ZAP, SQLmap, or Burp Suite (My personal favourite. These tools run tests that simulate attacks and show you where your system is vulnerable.

Write Safe Code:

The best way to prevent SQL injection is by using something called prepared statements. When users enter information, your system treats it only as data, not commands. This way, even if someone enters something malicious, it won't affect your system.

If your system is hacked

you might lose sensitive customer data, face legal issues, and damage your company’s reputation.

By implementing these testing strategies and preventive measures, QA engineers can significantly reduce the risk of SQL injection attacks and protect critical systems like FlyCASS from potential exploitation.

Mateusz

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