In cybersecurity, SQL injection (SQLi) is a code injection technique in which malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution (e.g., to dump the database contents on the attacker). SQL injection attacks target applications that use SQL databases, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or manipulate the database structure.

Here's how it works:

1. Vulnerable Input: An application has an input field (e.g., a login form, search bar) that directly interacts with the database without proper sanitization or validation.

2. Malicious Input: An attacker enters malicious SQL code into the input field instead of legitimate data.

3. Execution: The application unwittingly executes the injected SQL code and its intended query.

4. Exploitation: The attacker can now potentially:

• Read sensitive data: Retrieve confidential information like usernames, passwords, credit card details, etc.

• Modify data: Alter or delete existing records in the database.

• Execute administrative operations: Gain control over the database server.

Types of SQL Injection:

• In-band SQLi: The attacker receives the results of the injected SQL query directly through the same communication channel.

• Error-based SQLi: The attacker uses error messages from the database server to learn about its structure and vulnerabilities.

• Blind SQLi: The attacker doesn't get direct feedback from the database but infers the results based on the application's behavior.

Impact of SQL Injection:

• Data Breaches: Loss of sensitive data, leading to reputational damage, financial loss, and legal consequences.

• Data Manipulation: Tampering data integrity, causing operational disruptions or financial fraud.

• Unauthorized Access: Attackers control the database server, potentially compromising the entire system.

• Denial of Service (DoS): Overloading the database with excessive queries, rendering the application unavailable.

Prevention of SQL Injection:

• Input Validation: Strictly validate and sanitize all user input before using it in SQL queries.

• Prepared Statements (Parameterized Queries): Use parameterized queries to separate SQL code from user input, preventing injection.

• Least Privilege: Grant database users the minimum necessary permissions to perform their tasks.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF to detect and block SQL injection attempts.

• Regular Security Patching: Keep software and database systems up-to-date to address known vulnerabilities.

ThreatNG can significantly enhance an organization's ability to detect, assess, and mitigate the risk of SQL Injection (SQLi) attacks across its entire external attack surface, including third-party and supply chain assets. Here's how:

ThreatNG's Role in Preventing SQL Injection

1. Domain Intelligence Investigation Module:

• Application Discovery: ThreatNG identifies all web applications on the organization's domains and subdomains, providing a comprehensive inventory of potential SQLi targets.

• Exposed API Discovery: It uncovers exposed APIs, often vulnerable to SQLi due to improper input validation.

• Exposed Development Environment Discovery: ThreatNG identifies development environments accessible from the internet, as these environments often lack robust security measures and are prime targets for SQLi attacks.

• WAF Discovery and Identification: This process determines whether a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is in place to protect against web application attacks like SQLi.

• Known Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG scans web applications for known vulnerabilities, including those related to SQLi, using its extensive vulnerability database.

• Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: ThreatNG assesses web applications for vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to hijack sessions or manipulate input fields, increasing the risk of SQLi attacks.

2. Digital Risk Protection (DRP):

• ThreatNG continuously monitors the internet for mentions of the organization's domains, subdomains, and IP addresses, alerting security teams to any discussions or activities that could indicate potential SQLi attacks.

• It can also identify leaked credentials or sensitive data that could be used to launch SQLi attacks.

3. Security Ratings:

• ThreatNG provides a comprehensive security rating for the organization based on various factors, including its susceptibility to SQLi attacks. It allows organizations to prioritize remediation efforts based on the most critical risks.

Complementary Solutions and Handoff

ThreatNG can integrate with various complementary solutions to enhance protection against SQLi:

• Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): ThreatNG can feed vulnerability information to WAFs, enabling them to block SQLi attempts more effectively.

• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS): ThreatNG can alert IDPS to suspicious traffic patterns that could indicate SQLi attacks.

• Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG can complement vulnerability scanners by providing a broader view of the attack surface and identifying vulnerabilities that traditional scanning tools might miss.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can integrate with SIEM systems to provide a centralized view of security events and alerts related to SQLi attacks.

The handoff between ThreatNG and complementary solutions can occur through APIs, syslog feeds, or other integration mechanisms. For example, when ThreatNG discovers a vulnerability, it can automatically create a ticket in a ticketing system or send an alert to a SIEM system.

Detailed Workflow Example

1. Discovery: ThreatNG continuously scans the organization's external attack surface, including third-party and supply chain assets.

2. Vulnerability Identification: ThreatNG identifies a web application with a high susceptibility to web application hijacking due to weak session management.

3. SQLi Risk Assessment: ThreatNG assesses the application for potential SQLi vulnerabilities that could be exploited if an attacker successfully hijacks a session.

4. Alerting: ThreatNG sends the security team an alert detailing the vulnerability and the associated risk of SQLi attacks.

5. Mitigation: The security team investigates the alert and takes action to remediate the vulnerability, such as implementing more robust session management controls or deploying a WAF with specific SQLi protection rules.

6. Verification: ThreatNG re-scans the application to verify that the vulnerability has been remediated.

By leveraging ThreatNG's comprehensive capabilities, organizations can proactively identify and address SQLi risks across their entire external attack surface, significantly reducing the likelihood of successful attacks and protecting their critical data and systems.