1.
SQL Injections and basics

2.
SQL Query Poisoning
• Parameters from the URL or input fields get
used in SQL queries.
• An instance of Input Validation attacks.
• Data can be altered to extend the SQL query.
– e.g. http://server/query.asp?item=3+OR+1=1
• Execution of stored procedures.
• May even lead to back-end database server
compromise.

3.
Identify candidate parameters
• Determine what parameters seem to be
passed to the database.
• Usually some selection criteria.
• Results have a uniform template, but varying
data content.

4.
Force SQL errors
• Insert meta-characters around or within the
parameters.
• Range testing - BOF or EOF.
• Changing the data type.
• Premature query termination:
– quotation marks - ‘ or “
– trailing hyphens --
• Look for error messages generated from the
database.

5.
SQL Query Poisoning
• Insecure code (ASP):
roduct_id = request.querystring(“ID”)
onn.Open
uery = "select * from items where product_id = " &
product_id
et result = conn.execute(query)

6.
SQL Query Poisoning
• How the query gets assembled
http://192.168.7.120/details.asp?id=http://192.168.7.120/details.asp?id= 33
select * from items where product_id =select * from items where product_id = 33
DB

7.
Identifying SQL errors
• Try and force error messages from database
servers.
• Gives us an idea how the SQL query is being
created and used.
• Tamper the input parameter.
– Change data type
– Premature termination by ‘ “ etc…
• If the SQL query fails, we have a candidate for
SQL injection.

8.
Identifying SQL errors
• Identify which resources contain SQL
interfaces.
• Identify the offending parameters which cause
the SQL queries to break.
• Root cause of all SQL query poisoning is lack of
input sanitization.
• Strip off meta-characters.

9.
http://192.168.7.120/details.asp?id=
Identifying SQL errors
• Forcing SQL errors.
• Ideal for identifying database interfaces!
‘3
select * from items where product_id = ‘3
DB

10.
Identifying SQL errors
• Premature SQL query termination:
We now have an
SQL injection point.

11.
Identifying SQL errors
Example: PHP + MySQL error message

12.
Identifying SQL errors
Example: ColdFusion + SQL Server error msg

13.
Extend SQL queries
• Add valid SQL clauses to extend the SQL
query.
• “OR 1=1”
– return all rows.
• “;SELECT …”
– multiple queries.
• “;EXEC …”
– stored procedures.

14.
Retrieve all rows
• Retrieve excessive data
http://192.168.7.120/details.asp?id= 3+OR+1=1
select * from items where product_id = 3 OR 1=1
DB

15.
Executing Stored Procedures
• SQL Injection attacks can be extended beyond
excessive data retrieval.
• Stored procedures, if known, and accessible,
can also be invoked.
– For example Microsoft SQL Server’s extended
stored procedures.
• Use the SQL “EXEC” statement.

16.
EXEC master..xp_cmdshell ‘dir’
Executing Stored Procedures
• How the query gets assembled:
http://192.168.7.120/details.asp?id= 3%01EXEC+master..xp_cmdshell+’dir’
select * from items where product_id = 3
DB

17.
Executing Stored Procedures
• Viewing the results of execution:

18.
Conclusion