Injection Attacks
A broad category of attacks where malicious input is injected into applications.
Understanding Injection attacks
Injection attacks occur when untrusted input is improperly handled, allowing attackers to insert malicious code into a system. These attacks target databases, operating systems, web applications, and APIs. The most common types include SQL Injection (SQLi), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Command Injection, and LDAP Injection.
Common Applications and Use Cases:
SQL Injection (SQLi) – Attackers manipulate SQL queries to extract or modify database records.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – Injecting malicious JavaScript into web applications to steal user data.
Command Injection – Running unauthorized OS-level commands on a server.
LDAP Injection – Exploiting Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries to bypass authentication.
Best Practices and Security Considerations
Use Parameterized Queries and Prepared Statements – Prevent SQL injection by enforcing safe query structures.
Sanitize and Validate Input – Strip special characters and enforce strict input validation rules.
Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) – Detect and block malicious injection attempts.
Use Content Security Policy (CSP) for XSS Protection – Prevent execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers.
Apply Least Privilege Access – Restrict database and system privileges to limit the impact of an injection attack.