Injection Flaws

Injection Flaws are security vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is injected into a command or query, allowing attackers to alter its intended behaviour. By injecting malicious input, attackers can manipulate databases, execute system commands, or Exploit other systems, leading to unauthorised access, Data Breaches, and system compromise.

Injection vulnerabilities arise when user input is improperly handled or directly incorporated into an execution context, such as a SQL query, operating system command, or an API call, without sufficient validation or sanitisation. Common types of Injection Attacks include SQL Injection, Command Injection, and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). These vulnerabilities are widespread due to improper coding practices and lack of input validation.

The purpose of Exploiting Injection Flaws is to gain unauthorised access to data, execute arbitrary code, or manipulate system functions. Injection Attacks can have severe consequences, such as data theft, service disruption, or even complete system takeover, making them a critical security issue for web applications and networked systems.

Injection Attacks typically occur when untrusted input is passed directly into a query or command. For example, in a SQL Injection Attack, malicious input can manipulate database queries by altering the SQL statement's structure. Proper input validation, parameterised queries, and escaping special characters can help prevent these vulnerabilities. Frameworks with built-in security measures also offer protections against common Injection Flaws.

Examples of Injection Flaws include SQL Injection Attacks, where an attacker crafts input such as 'OR 1=1' to bypass Authentication and gain access to sensitive data, and Command Injection attacks that use unvalidated input to execute system commands. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is another example, where attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

Injection Flaws pose a significant risk as they can be Exploited to compromise the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of systems and data. Defending against Injection Attacks requires rigorous input validation, using parameterised queries, employing prepared statements, and following secure coding practices. Regular security testing and code reviews are essential to identify and mitigate injection vulnerabilities.