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 (16085)
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Rico Macchi WP Links Page allows SQL Injection.9.6. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in PHPGurukul Hospital Management System 4.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was identified in PHPGurukul Hospital Management System 4.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in SourceCodester COVID 19 Testing Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 Online Flight Booking Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in PHPGurukul Teachers Record Management System 2.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was identified in Campcodes Online Recruitment Management System 1.0.php?page=view_vacancy. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in projectworlds Visitor Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 projectworlds Visitor Management System 1.0.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in projectworlds Online Notes Sharing Platform 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in 1000 Projects Sales Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 1000 Projects Sales Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in 1000 Projects Sales Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in code-projects Medical Store Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in code-projects Medical Store Management System 1.0.java of the component Update Company Page. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in code-projects Medical Store Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was identified in code-projects Medical Store Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester COVID 19 Testing Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 itsourcecode Sports Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was identified in Campcodes Online Water Billing System 1.0.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in code-projects Job Diary 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Job Diary 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Job Diary 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was determined in Shanghai Lingdang Information Technology Lingdang CRM up to 8.6.5.4. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Organization Portal System developed by WellChoose has a SQL Injection vulnerability, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands to read database contents. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Tutor LMS Pro - eLearning and online course solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘order’ parameter used in the get_submitted_assignments() function in. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WeGIA is an open source web manager with a focus on the Portuguese language and charitable institutions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command ('sql injection') in SQL Server allows an authorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WeGIA is an open source web manager with a focus on the Portuguese language and charitable institutions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
SQL injection in Ivanti Avalanche before version 6.4.8.8008 allows a remote authenticated attacker with admin privileges to execute arbitrary SQL queries. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
pyLoad is the free and open-source Download Manager written in pure Python. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MASA CMS versions prior to 7.4.5 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the processAsyncObject method that enables unauthenticated remote code execution. The flaw allows attackers to extract database contents and leverage database-specific features to execute OS commands on the underlying server.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in code-projects Simple Art Gallery 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 zhilink 智互联(深圳)科技有限公司 ADP Application Developer Platform 应用开发者平台 1.0.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Dinstar Monitoring Platform 甘肃省危险品库监控平台 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 CesiumLab Web up to 4.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability in the Suite Applications Services component of Mitel MiCollab 10.0 through SP1 FP1 (10.0.1.101) could allow an authenticated attacker to conduct a SQL Injection attack due to. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Easy Hosting Control Panel EHCP v20.04.1.b was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter in the Change Settings function. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
OpenMetadata <=1.4.4 is vulnerable to SQL Injection. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
OpenMetadata <=1.4.4 is vulnerable to SQL Injection. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenMetadata <=1.4.4 is vulnerable to SQL Injection. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
OpenMetadata <=1.4.4 is vulnerable to SQL Injection. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in Wanzhou WOES Intelligent Optimization Energy Saving System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the doctor_contact parameter in doctorsearch.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in func3.php via the username1 and password2 parameters. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the app_contact parameter in appsearch.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in contact.php via the txtname, txtphone, and txtmail parameters. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the password2 parameter in func.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in func1.php via the username3 and password3 parameters. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the patient_contact parameter in patientsearch.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the username parameter at index.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the emailAddress parameter at createClassTeacher.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in createStudents.php via the Id, firstname, and admissionNumber parameters. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in createSessionTerm.php via the id, termId, and sessionName parameters. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in createClassArms.php via the classId and classArmName parameters. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Hospital Management System 4 is vulnerable to a SQL injection in /Hospital-Management-System-master/func.php via the password2 parameter. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Netwrix Directory Manager (formerly Imanami GroupID) 11.0.0.0 before 11.1.25162.02 allows SQL Injection. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SuiteCRM is an open-source, enterprise-ready Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The CleverReach® WP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the ‘title’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.20 due to insufficient escaping on the user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The FileBird - WordPress Media Library Folders & File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'search' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6.4.8 due to. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tilesheets MediaWiki Extension adds a table lookup parser function for an item and returns the requested image. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
ADOdb is a PHP database class library that provides abstractions for performing queries and managing databases. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A Boolean-based SQL injection vulnerability was discovered in Axelor 5.2.4 via the _domain parameter. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Austrian Archaeological Institute (AI) OpenAtlas v8.11.0 as discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Human Resource Integrated System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A security vulnerability has been detected in code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A weakness has been identified in code-projects Online Medicine Guide 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 projectworlds Online Admission System 1.0 and classified as critical. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Intern Membership Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Intern Membership Management System 1.0.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Intern Membership Management System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 projectworlds Online Admission System 1.0.php. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 SourceCodester Online Hotel Reservation System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 SourceCodester Online Hotel Reservation System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Wazifa System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Wazifa System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), 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 code-projects Online Farm System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Files is a module for managing files inside spaces and user profiles. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 16085