Blogs Overflow

1-Incomplete Input Validation–

• Example: Accepting user input without proper validation, leading to SQL injection.
• Consequence: Compromised database security, potential data loss, and unauthorized access.

Bad Way (PYTHON):

user_input = input("Enter your username: ")
# No validation, allowing SQL injection
query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = '" + user_input + "';"

Directly passing user input in database query statements is not recommended and very dangerous.

Good Way (PYTHON):

import sqlite3

user_input = input("Enter your username: ")
# Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection
query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ?;"
cursor.execute(query, (user_input,))

Above user input has been parameterized and it is safe to pass to database query statements.

Real Incident & Consequence – [Reference – Equifax Data Breach]

• Incident: In 2017, the Equifax data breach occurred due to incomplete input validation in a web application, allowing attackers to execute a SQL injection attack.
• Consequence: Personal information of 147 million individuals was exposed, leading to identity theft concerns.
• Loss Amount: Estimated at hundreds of millions in damages and settlements.