SQL Injection
SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements.
How It Works
SQL injection exploits the way applications construct database queries by mixing user input directly into SQL statements. When developers concatenate untrusted data into queries without proper sanitization, attackers can inject SQL syntax that changes the query's logic. For example, entering ' OR '1'='1 into a login form might transform SELECT * FROM users WHERE username='input' into a query that always returns true, bypassing authentication.
Attackers follow a methodical process: first probing input fields with special characters like quotes or semicolons to trigger database errors, then identifying whether the application is vulnerable. Once confirmed, they escalate by injecting commands to extract data (UNION-based attacks to merge results from other tables), manipulate records, or probe the database structure. Blind SQL injection variants work without visible error messages—boolean-based attacks infer data by observing application behavior changes, while time-based attacks use database sleep functions to confirm successful injection through response delays.
Advanced scenarios include second-order injection, where malicious input is stored in the database and later executed in a different context, and out-of-band attacks that exfiltrate data through DNS queries or HTTP requests when direct data retrieval isn't possible. Some database systems enable attackers to execute operating system commands through built-in functions like MySQL's LOAD_FILE or SQL Server's xp_cmdshell, escalating from database compromise to full server control.
Impact
- Complete data breach — extraction of entire database contents including credentials, personal information, and proprietary data
- Authentication bypass — logging in as any user without knowing passwords
- Data manipulation — unauthorized modification or deletion of critical records
- Privilege escalation — granting administrative rights to attacker-controlled accounts
- Remote code execution — leveraging database features to run operating system commands and compromise the underlying server
- Lateral movement — using compromised database credentials to access other connected systems
Real-World Examples
FreePBX's CVE-2025-66039 demonstrated a complete attack chain where SQL injection across 11 parameters in four different endpoints allowed attackers to write malicious entries into the cron_jobs table. When the system's scheduler executed these entries, the injected SQL transformed into operating system commands, granting full server control. The vulnerability required no authentication, making it immediately exploitable.
E-commerce platforms have suffered massive breaches through shopping cart SQL injection, where attackers inserted skimming code into stored procedures that executed during checkout, harvesting credit card data from thousands of transactions. Healthcare systems have been compromised through patient portal vulnerabilities, exposing millions of medical records when attackers injected UNION queries to merge data from supposedly isolated tables.
Mitigation
- Parameterized queries (prepared statements) — separates SQL logic from data, making injection syntactically impossible
- Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) frameworks — abstracts database interactions with built-in protections when used correctly
- Strict input validation — whitelist acceptable characters and formats, reject suspicious patterns
- Least privilege database accounts — applications should use credentials with minimal necessary permissions
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) — detects and blocks common injection patterns as a secondary defense layer
- Database activity monitoring — alerts on unusual query patterns or privilege escalation attempts
Recent CVEs (15229)
SQL injection vulnerability in the miniform module in WBCE CMS v.1.6.0 allows remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code via the DB_RECORD_TABLE parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Tongda OA 2017 up to 11.9. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Tongda OA 2017 up to 11.9. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Tongda OA 2017 up to 11.9. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Matrimonial Project v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Job Portal v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Job Portal v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
RemoteClinic 2.0 is vulnerable to a time-based blind SQL injection attack in the 'start' GET parameter of patients/index.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
RemoteClinic version 2.0 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the /staff/edit.php file. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
RemoteClinic 2.0 has a SQL injection vulnerability in the ID parameter of /medicines/stocks.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The WD WidgetTwitter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the plugin's shortcode in versions up to, and including, 1.0.9 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Blind SQL injection in api_version parameter in Tyk Gateway version 5.0.3 allows attacker to access and dump the database via a crafted SQL query. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Blind SQL injection in api_id parameter in Tyk Gateway version 5.0.3 allows attacker to access and dump the database via a crafted SQL query. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
The History Log by click5 WordPress plugin before 1.0.13 does not properly sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, leading to a SQL injection exploitable by admin users. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Avirtum ImageLinks Interactive Image Builder imagelinks-interactive-image-builder-lite.5.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Milan Petrovic GD Security Headers gd-security-headers.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in bPlugins LLC Icons Font Loader allows SQL Injection.1.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Online ADA Accessibility Suite by Online ADA allows SQL Injection.12. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in posimyththemes Nexter nexter.0.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 12.2% and no vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Page Visit Counter Advanced Page Visit Counter - Most Wanted Analytics Plugin for WordPress. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Video Gallery by Total-Soft Video Gallery - Best WordPress YouTube Gallery Plugin allows SQL. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in InspireUI MStore API allows SQL Injection.0.6. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Pressference Pressference Exporter pressference-exporter.0.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Craig Hewitt Seriously Simple Stats seriously-simple-stats.5.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in ilGhera Woocommerce Support System wc-support-system.2.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in aiyaz Khorajia Contact form 7 Custom validation cf7-field-validation.1.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in RedNao Donations Made Easy - Smart Donations allows SQL Injection.0.12. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Daniel Söderström / Sidney van de Stouwe Subscribe to Category allows SQL Injection.7.4. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Creative Solutions Contact Form Generator : Creative form builder for WordPress allows SQL. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Felix W. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in biztechc Copy or Move Comments allows SQL Injection.0.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Sajjad Hossain WP Reroute Email wp-reroute-email.4.6. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Kemal YAZICI Shortcode IMDB shortcode-imdb.0.8. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Weblizar - WordPress Themes & Plugin The School Management - Education & Learning Management school-management-system.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in wpdevart Booking calendar, Appointment Booking System booking-calendar.2.7. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Ability, Inc Accessibility Suite online-accessibility.12. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in KaizenCoders Short URL shorten-url.6.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Weblizar Coming Soon Page - Responsive Coming Soon & Maintenance Mode allows SQL Injection.5.9. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in VeronaLabs Slimstat Analytics wp-slimstat.0.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in Novel-Plus v.4.2.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted script to the sort parameter in /common/log/list. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
kerawen before v2.5.1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the ocs_id_cart parameter at KerawenDeliveryModuleFrontController::initContent(). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Demonisblack demon image annotation allows SQL Injection.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Themesgrove Onepage Builder allows SQL Injection.4.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in nucleusgenius Quasar form quasar-form.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in IT Path Solutions PVT LTD Contact Form to Any API allows SQL Injection.1.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in smartypants SP Project & Document Manager sp-client-document-manager.67. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Favethemes Houzez CRM houzez-crm.3.4. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Adrian Tobey Groundhogg groundhogg.7.11. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in cageehv Order Your Posts Manually order-your-posts-manually.2.5. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Ben Marshall Zero Spam zero-spam.4.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS tutor.1.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS tutor.2.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS tutor.1.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in gopiplus Email posts to subscribers email-posts-to-subscribers.2. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in chrisvrichardson MapPress Maps for WordPress mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress.85.4. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Zendrop Zendrop - Global Dropshipping zendrop-dropshipping-and-fulfillment allows SQL. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Be POPIA Compliant Be POPIA Compliant be-popia-compliant.2.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in neshanmaps Neshan Maps neshan-maps.1.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Spiffy Plugins Spiffy Calendar spiffy-calendar.9.1. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in reputeinfosystems ARMember armember-membership.4.11. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in integrationdevpaytm Paytm Payment Gateway paytm-payments.7.3. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 39.4%.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in David F. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in weDevs WP Project Manager wedevs-project-manager.6.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in Tips and Tricks HQ, Peter Petreski Simple Photo Gallery simple-photo-gallery.8.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL Injection vulnerability in Relativity ODA LLC RelativityOne v.12.1.537.3 Patch 2 and earlier allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the name parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Online Food Ordering System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 15229