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 (16090)
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in code-projects Patient Record Management System 1.0. 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, has been found in code-projects Patient Record 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 PHPGurukul Men Salon Management 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, has been found in SourceCodester Online Eyewear Shop 1.0.php?f=delete_customer. 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 qinguoyi TinyWebServer up to 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 PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 classified as critical was found in PHPGurukul Old Age Home 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.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in rocketelements Split Test For Elementor allows SQL Injection.8.2. 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 manu225 Falling things allows SQL Injection.08. 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 winkm89 teachPress allows SQL Injection.0.11. 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 Daisycon Daisycon prijsvergelijkers allows SQL Injection.8.4. 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 onOffice GmbH onOffice for WP-Websites allows SQL Injection.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 cmsMinds Pay with Contact Form 7 allows SQL Injection.0.4. 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 silvasoft Silvasoft boekhouden allows SQL Injection.0.1. 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 eleopard Behance Portfolio Manager allows Blind SQL Injection.7.4. 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 Stylemix uListing allows Blind SQL Injection.1.9. 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 SuitePlugins Video & Photo Gallery for Ultimate Member allows SQL Injection.1.3. 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 Erick Danzer Easy Query - WP Query Builder allows Blind SQL Injection.0.4. 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 shiptrack Booking Calendar and Notification allows Blind SQL Injection.0.3. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in itsourcecode Library 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 Patient Record Management System 1.0 and classified as critical.php. 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 PHPGurukul e-Diary Management 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, has been found in PHPGurukul Online Fire Reporting System 1.2. 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 PHPGurukul Online Fire Reporting System 1.2. 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 PHPGurukul Online Fire Reporting System 1.2. 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 PHPGurukul Old Age Home 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 PHPGurukul Zoo 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 found in PHPGurukul Restaurant Table Booking System 1.0. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 PHPGurukul Restaurant Table Booking 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 classified as critical was found in PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 classified as critical has been found in code-projects Patient Record 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.
The Product Filter by WBW plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based SQL Injection via the filtersDataBackend parameter in all versions up to, and including, 2.7.9 due to insufficient escaping. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in code-projects Patient Record 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 Patient Record 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 Patient Record 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 Patient Record Management System 1.0 and classified as critical.php. 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 Hospital Management 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 CodeAstro Student Grading 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 CodeAstro Car Rental 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 itsourcecode Online Blood Bank 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 has been found in PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 PHPGurukul e-Diary 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 Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 Online Doctor Appointment Booking System 1.0 and classified as critical.php?patientId=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 has been found in projectworlds Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 projectworlds Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 Doctor Appointment Booking 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 was found in projectworlds Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 projectworlds Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 Online Doctor Appointment Booking 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 Project Worlds Online Lawyer 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 was found in Project Worlds Online Lawyer Management System 1.0 and classified as critical. 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 Project Worlds Online Lawyer Management 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 Project Worlds Online Lawyer 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.
SeaCMS v13.3 has a SQL injection vulnerability in the component admin_tempvideo.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.
OpenEMR 7.0.2 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via \openemr\library\classes\Pharmacy.class.php, \controllers\C_Pharmacy.class.php and \openemr\controller.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.
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Project Worlds Online Lawyer 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 classified as critical was found in Project Worlds Online Lawyer 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 classified as critical has been found in Project Worlds Online Lawyer 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 PHPGurukul Time Table Generator 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.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in NotFound Social Share And Social Locker allows Blind SQL Injection.4.2. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Code-Projects Matrimonial Site V1.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection in /view_profile.php?id=1. 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.
OS4ED openSIS v7.0 to v9.1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the groupid parameter at /messaging/Group.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OS4ED openSIS v7.0 to v9.1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the filter_id parameter at /students/StudentFilters.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OS4ED openSIS v7.0 to v9.1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the cp_id parameter at /modules/messages/Inbox.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Gym 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 PHPGurukul Boat Booking 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 PHPGurukul Bus Pass 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 classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Apartment Visitor 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 Apartment Visitor 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 Online Medicine Ordering 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 Online Medicine Ordering 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 has been found in PHPGurukul Online Security Guards Hiring 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 PHPGurukul Online Security Guards Hiring 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 was found in fcba_zzm ics-park Smart Park Management System 2.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in code-projects Payroll 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 Apartment Visitors 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 Online Tutor Portal 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 Online Tutor Portal 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.
SQL injection vulnerability in vipshop Saturn v.3.5.1 and before allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via /console/dashboard/executorCount?zkClusterKey component. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Epss exploitation probability 22.6% and no vendor patch available.
OS4ED openSIS v7.0 to v9.1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the table parameter at /attendance/AttendanceCodes.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OS4ED openSIS v7.0 through v9.1 contains a SQL injection vulnerability via the stu_id parameter at /modules/students/Student.php. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Front End Users plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'UserSearchField' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.32 due to insufficient escaping on the user. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A low privilege (regular) Zabbix user with API access can use SQL injection vulnerability in include/classes/api/CApiService.php to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the groupBy parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in marcoingraiti Actionwear products sync allows SQL Injection.3.3. 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 EXEIdeas International WP AutoKeyword allows SQL Injection.0. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- HIGH
- Category
- web
- Total CVEs
- 16090