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 (16148)
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Symantec Altiris WISE Package Studio before 8.0MR1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/plib/api-rpc/Agent.php in Parallels Plesk Panel 7.x and 8.x before 8.6 MU#2, 9.x before 9.5 MU#11, 10.0.x before MU#13, 10.1.x before MU#22, 10.2.x before MU#16,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager Express for Software Distribution 4.1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) a SOAP message to. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in pfile/file.php in Powie pFile 1.02 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in modules/news/rss.php in LEPTON before 1.1.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the group_id parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
SQL injection vulnerability in CONTIMEX Impulsio CMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess 7.0 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a malformed URL. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via crafted string input. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
SQL injection vulnerability in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a malformed URL. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Dolibarr CMS 3.2.0 Alpha and earlier allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) memberslist parameter (aka Member List). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in freelancerKit 2.35 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors to the (1) notes and (2) tickets components. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Manage Albums feature in zp-core/admin-albumsort.php in ZENphoto 1.4.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sortableList. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Post data records to facebook (bc_post2facebook) extension before 0.2.2 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Documents download (rtg_files) extension before 1.5.2 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the White Papers (mm_whtppr) extension 0.0.4 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Category-System (toi_category) extension 0.6.0 and earlier for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Kitchen recipe (mv_cooking) extension before 0.4.1 for TYPO3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, as exploited in the. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the WP-RecentComments plugin 2.0.7 for WordPress allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in an rc-content action to index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ManageEngine Applications Manager 9.x and 10.x allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) viewId parameter to fault/AlarmView.do or. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in GForge Advanced Server 6.0.0 and other versions before 6.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PHP before 5.3.10 does not properly perform a temporary change to the magic_quotes_gpc directive during the importing of environment variables, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 10.6%.
SQL injection vulnerability in author/edit.php in OpenConf 4.x before 4.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the pid parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in mobile/search/index.php in Tube Ace (Adult PHP Tube Script) 1.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in login2.php in XRay CMS 1.1.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username or (2) password parameters. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/categories.php in 4images 1.7.10 remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the cat_parent_id parameter in an addcat action. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in base_qry_main.php in Basic Analysis and Security Engine (BASE) 1.4.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) ip_addr[0][1], (2). Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in Scriptsez.net Ez Album allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a view action to index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php in Vastal I-Tech Agent Zone (aka The Real Estate Script) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the price_from parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in download.php in phux Download Manager allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the file parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in Default.aspx in Aryadad CMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the PageID parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in checklogin.aspx in ICloudCenter ICTimeAttendance 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the passw parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in ajax.php in Batavi before 1.2.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the boxToReload parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in Stoneware webNetwork before 6.0.8.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in the Moviebase addon for deV!L'z Clanportal (DZCP) 1.5.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter in a showkat action to index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability in deV!L'z Clanportal (DZCP) Gamebase addon allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the gameid parameter in a detail action to index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
SQL injection vulnerability affecting Abarcar Realty Portal versions 5.1.5 and 6.0.1, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the 'neid' parameter in newsdetails.php. With a publicly available proof-of-concept exploit and a high EPSS score of 2.69% (86th percentile), this vulnerability poses significant risk despite vendor claims that slistl.php/slid never existed and current versions only generate static pages.
MariaDB on Alpine Linux has been patched in package version 11.8.7-r0, addressing an unspecified vulnerability. The CVE record contains only a terse Alpine Linux vendor advisory notice with no description, CVSS scoring, or CWE classification, making it impossible to characterize the nature of the vulnerability, affected attacker surface, or impact class at this time. No public exploit has been identified, no KEV listing exists, and EPSS data is absent - the full scope of risk cannot be assessed from available data.
Alpine Linux: arm-trusted-firmware fixed in 2.8.29-r0
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 16148