Structured Query Language or SQL is one of the most basic skills a budding computer programmer, or even a data analyst must master to boost their career track. Often considered as one of the simpler languages to begin with, it forms the base of queries that can be used to manipulate the databases, update, and bring out desired data from them by writing queries. Hackers, unfortunately, can use it to break into the databases to gather confidential data and jeopardize the operations.
SQLI or SQL Injection is an act used by hackers to get access into databases of the companies using simple but malicious query strings, compromising them to filter critical data and sometimes even erase or destroy them.
The act can be broadly classified into three segments:
In-Band SQLI:
Simple and yet efficient, this method is used to fill the databases with error messages, which are in turn used to gather deeper information about the database.
Inferential SQLI:
They rely solely on the behavioral patterns and responses from the database which are intercepted by sending data payload.
Out-of-band SQLI:
It happens when the hackers can’t use the same channel for their attack, and they can be carried about only when the databases have certain features enabled.
To defend their systems from these attacks, the IT Security department of the organizations must come up with proper plan to fail these attacks. The most popular ways can be presented as follows:
Better Coding Practices:
Writing codes that can identify any unauthorized and illegal attempts, this is a very complex process as it is always a tedious task to identify all the possible loopholes while writing codes and will leave room for vulnerability.
Use of proper Firewall setups:
Modern Firewall systems are used to prevent the entry and filter out illegal attempts of SQL injection. A “Web Application Firewall” of “WAF” keeps a record of possible malicious threats, which is used to tackle them
Protecting the data itself:
Perhaps the most proactive and most secure way of fighting these threats would be to have a data centric approach where the data in the databases itself is monitored and any suspicious behavior that fails to qualify the standard norms are reported and put to check.