Best SQL Injection Detection Tools - zenarmor.com (2024)

More than 60 million users became victims of the most recent and significant SQL injection attack that targeted file transfer software provider MOVEit Transfer. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as retirement and educational institutions throughout the globe, have been among its victims, with losses totaling close to $10 billion thus far.

What, though, are attacks using SQL injection? Why do they affect the cybersecurity environment so greatly? And what safeguards can businesses put in place to prevent injection attacks? Everything you should know is included here. In this article, you'll find detailed information on the following topics related to SQL Injection.

• What is SQL injection, and how does it work?

• Why is SQL Injection Detection and Prevention Important?

• What are the top SQL injection detection tools?

  1. sqlmap (Open-source, beginner-friendly)
  2. Invicti (Cloud-based, comprehensive)
  3. Burp Scanner (Versatile, manual and automated testing)
  4. jSQL Injection (Java-based, developer-friendly)
  5. AppSpider (User-friendly, suitable for Windows)
  6. Acunetix (Advanced features, ideal for complex apps)
  7. Qualys WAS (Regular assessments, real-time testing)
  8. HCL AppScan (Enterprise-grade, on-premise and cloud)
  9. Imperva (Automated mitigation, beneficial for security teams)

• Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs

What is SQL injection, and how Does it Work?​

Even if you might not understand the details of a SQL injection (SQLi) attack, you are undoubtedly aware of its victims. Cybercriminals used SQL injections to compromise Target, Yahoo, Zappos, Equifax, Epic Games, TalkTalk, LinkedIn, and Sony Pictures, among other firms.

An SQL injection (SQLi) attack is a kind of cyberattack where hackers take advantage of software flaws in web applications to either steal, alter, or remove data or take over the systems that the compromised apps are operating on.

According to cybersecurity experts, one of the easiest cyber threats to protect against and the least complex is SQLi. SQLi was placed third by Malwarebytes Labs in their list of the Top 5 Dumbest Cyber Threats That Work. Regardless, pointing out that SQLi is a well-known, foreseeable assault with readily available defenses.

Because SQLi attacks are so simple, hackers use Google Dorking, or sophisticated Google searches, to identify susceptible websites. SQLi attackers efficiently execute the attack on their behalf by using automated programs when they've located a suitable victim. To access the stolen data, all they need to do is enter the URL of the intended website.

Nevertheless, SQLi assaults are frequent and occur on a daily basis. In fact, fraudsters have probably already attempted to access your website via SQLi if you have a website or an online company. According to Ponemon Institute research titled "The SQL Injection Threat & Recent Retail Breaches," 65% of the companies questioned have experienced an SQLi-based attack.

Web applications that are frequently targeted include institutions, online shops, and social networking platforms. Small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly at risk because they frequently lack the knowledge necessary to both protect against and identify the tactics used by hackers in a SQL injection attack.

Structured query language, or SQL for short, was created in the early 1970s and is one of the first computer languages still in use today for web database management. These databases include information on internet retailers' pricing and stock levels. SQL is used to retrieve and show database information to users as necessary. However, these databases hold more important and sensitive information, such as social security numbers, credit card details, and usernames and passwords. SQL injections are useful in situations like these.

To put it simply, an SQL injection occurs when malevolent hackers insert harmful commands into online forms, such as the search box, login field, or URL, of an insecure website in order to get private information without authorization.

Here's an illustration for SQL injection. Consider visiting your preferred online clothing retailer. When you browse for socks, you're presented with a Technicolor world of vibrant socks that you can purchase with only a mouse click. The marvels of modern technology! Every sock you see is present on some server somewhere in a database. When you locate a pair of socks that you like and click on them, the purchasing website sends a request to the sock database, which returns the details of the sock you clicked on. Imagine for a moment that your preferred e-commerce website was built carelessly and contains several SQL vulnerabilities that may be exploited.

Cybercriminals are able to modify database searches so that, for some unfortunate consumers, the credit card number is returned in response to a request for information about a pair of socks. A cybercriminal might explore the database's depths and get private data on each and every one of the customers who have ever shopped at your preferred online clothes store, including you, by repeatedly doing this procedure. Consider yourself the proprietor of this apparel website to carry out the thought experiment even further. You are dealing with a massive data breach.

Cybercriminals obtain millions of customers' credit card numbers, social security numbers, emails, and personal information with just one SQLi attack. After that, cybercriminals turn around and sell this personal information on the shadowiest parts of the dark web for use in a variety of illicit activities.

Phishing and spam attacks are carried out using stolen emails. Malspam assaults, on the other hand, are used to infect users with a variety of harmful viruses, including Trojans (like Emotet), adware, ransomware, and cryptojackers. Robocalls and spam text messages are directed towards mobile devices running iOS and Android phones that have stolen phone numbers.

Even more logins for other websites may be stolen, and stolen social networking site logins are used to send spam messages. In the past, Malwarebytes Labs has published reports on how compromised LinkedIn accounts were being exploited to send unsolicited InMail messages to other users that contained malicious URLs that were spoofing, or faking, the appearance of a Google Docs login page in order to collect Google usernames and passwords.

Why is SQL Injection Detection and Prevention Important?​

Databases are used by many web applications to store and retrieve data efficiently. This indicates that a great deal of sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, usernames, and passwords, is stored in databases. And, for more than a decade, SQL injections have topped every OWASP Top 10 list.

SQL queries are used by web applications to communicate with the database layer. These searches are usually conducted using inputs found on the webpage, much like a search query. On the other hand, a badly built web application can allow any kind of SQL query in an input box meant to only take a certain kind of data, the user's first name, for instance. By typing SQL queries in these input fields, attackers can extract or alter data that is stored in the database, taking advantage of this vulnerability.

SQL injection attacks can have a significant negative impact on an organization. Organizations have access to sensitive company data and private customer information, and SQL injection attacks often target that confidential information. When a malicious user successfully completes an SQL injection attack, it can have any of the following impacts:

• Exposes Sensitive Corporate Data: Attackers retrieve and modify data using SQL injection, which puts sensitive corporate data kept on the SQL server in danger of being discovered.
• Encroach on Users' Privacy: An attack may reveal personal information belonging to users, including credit card details, based on the data kept on the SQL server.
• Give an attacker administrative access to your system: Malicious code can be used by an attacker to enter a system if a database user has administrative capabilities. Make a database user with the fewest rights possible to guard against this sort of vulnerability.
• Give an Attacker General Access to Your System: An attacker may be able to access your system without knowing a user's credentials if you use shoddy SQL statements to verify user names and passwords. An attacker with broad access to your system can do more harm by gaining access to and altering private data.
• Breach the Integrity of Your Data: An attacker can alter or remove data from your system by using SQL injection.

Businesses should exercise preventive measures and restrict vulnerabilities before an attack happens since a successful SQL injection attack can have serious consequences. To achieve that, you need to be aware of your vulnerabilities by knowing how a SQL injection attack works.

Security experts and developers continue to be particularly concerned about SQL injection (SQLi) attacks. SQL injection is the most common cause of web application vulnerabilities globally, according to a Statista analysis.

Sensitive data, including usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and email addresses, might be accessed via SQL injection attacks. This implies that an attacker has the ability to edit or remove this data in addition to reading it.

Identifying and stopping SQL injection attacks is essential for preserving the security and integrity of online systems because of the devastation they may cause. Numerous SQLi detection technologies are at one's disposal to assist in locating and addressing these issues. We'll examine some of the best SQLi detection technologies below.

Figure 1. Top SQL Injection Detection Software

1. sqlmap (Open-source, beginner-friendly)​

On GitHub, you may find sqlmap, an automated SQLi and database takeover tool. The process of identifying and taking advantage of SQLi vulnerabilities or other assaults that take over database servers is automated by this open-source penetration testing program.

Major SQLi methods, including boolean-based blind, error-based, time-based blind, stacked, and UNION queries, are supported by sqlmap. Furthermore, this utility interfaces with a wide range of database management systems, such as IBM DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Microsoft Access, and more.

In addition, it has a detection engine, many penetration testing methods, tools for database fingerprinting, data fetching, underlying file system access, and out-of-band command execution on the operating system (OS).

Pricing​

sqlmap is a Free tool.

Features​

The main features of sqlmap are as follows:

• Complete compatibility with many database management systems.
• Using a local SQLite 3 database, the program may prototype the backend database's tables, entries, and structure.
• Boolean-based blind, time-based blind, error-based, UNION query, and stacked queries are the five main SQLi methods that it supports.
• The application's HTTP Set-Cookie header is handled automatically by the tool.

Pros​

The main pros of sqlmap are as follows:

• It is free and open source.
• May be changed to accommodate various test scenarios.
• Allows for integration with w3af and Metasploit, two major open-source IT security tools.

Cons​

The main cons of sqlmap are as follows:

• All it is is a command-line utility.
• It could produce erroneous positive results.

2. Invicti (Cloud-based, comprehensive)​

With the help of Invicti, a web security management system, security duties in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) may be automated by finding vulnerabilities in online applications and allocating them for correction. The platform, which includes SQLi as one of its fundamental components, employs Proof-based Scanning technology to find and validate vulnerabilities and show findings that are not false positives.

It can detect SQL injection vulnerabilities as well as cross-site scripting (XSS) and other flaws in online services, web applications, and web APIs. The platform may be incorporated into DevOps setups and includes tools for security testing as well as a report generator. It supports JavaScript and AJAX apps and examines web servers including Apache, Nginx, and IIS.

Pricing​

Invicti offers a free trial and demo in addition to two pricing options, the details of which may be obtained from their sales staff upon request.

• Invicti Pro: This package is appropriate for medium-sized companies that use about 100 APIs and apps.
• Invicti Enterprise: This package is ideal for large organizations and includes the whole range of Invicti features.

Features​

The main features of Invicti are as follows:

• It can automatically maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive inventory of your APIs and web apps.
• It provides sophisticated analytics and reporting.
• The vulnerability's precise position can be identified using the program.
• By offering technology version tracking, Invicta helps to minimize risks brought on by out-of-date frameworks and libraries.

Pros​

The main advantages of Invicti are as follows:

• Beyond SQLi detection, the program enables web app security.
• For those who are interested in trying out the tool, it provides a free trial.
• To assist new users, extensive documentation is available.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of Invicti are as follows:

• Lack of pricing transparency.
• The majority of features are exclusive to the corporate plan.

3. Burp Scanner (Versatile, manual, and automated testing)​

Burp Suite's web vulnerability scanner leverages research from PortSwigger to assist customers in automatically identifying a variety of vulnerabilities present in web applications. To check for vulnerabilities unseen by traditional scanners, including asynchronous SQL injection and blind server-side request forgery (SSRF), Burp Collaborator, for instance, detects interactions between its target and an external server.

The crawl engine of the Burp Scanner, which powers suites like Burp Suite Enterprise Edition and Burp Suite Professional, is capable of slicing past hurdles like stateful functionality, volatile or overloaded URLs, and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) tokens. JavaScript is rendered and crawled by its inbuilt Chromium browser, and a crawling algorithm creates a target profile just as a tester would.

Pricing​

Burp Suite Enterprise and Burp Suite Professional are the two primary price tiers that the company provides.

The annual cost of the Burp Suite Professional package is $449. There are three pricing categories for Burp Suite Enterprise:

• Starter: $8,395 yearly.
• Grow: $17,380 annually.
• Unlimited: $49,000.00 annually.

Features​

The main features of the Burp Scanner are as follows:

• Manually checking for vulnerabilities including cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and other OWASP top 10 flaws.
• Vulnerability scanning that is automated.
• Provides realistic scenarios and automated volume scanning.
• Sophisticated scanning features including custom scripts and session handling.

Pros​

The main advantages of the Burp Scanner are as follows:

• It provides application testing that is both automated and manual.
• There's a free trial available.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the Burp Scanner are as follows:

• It's difficult to use the user interface, especially for inexperienced users.
• Pricing for smaller enterprises may be prohibitive.

4. jSQL Injection (Java-based, developer-friendly)​

IT teams may locate database information from remote servers with the use of jSQL Injection, a Java-based solution. It's one of the numerous open-source, free solutions for SQLi. It works with Java versions 11-17 and supports Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Many additional vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools and distributions, such as Kali Linux, Pentest Box, Parrot Security OS, ArchStrike, and BlackArch Linux, have jSQL Injection since it is such an excellent SQLi deterrent.Additionally, it provides an automated injection of 33 different database engines, such as Hana, Ingres, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Teradata, Access, and DB2. It provides script sandboxes for SQL and tampering, and it lets the user handle various injection schemes and processes.

Pricing​

jSQL Injection is a Free tool.

Features​

The main features of the jSQL Injection are as follows:

• Provides automatic database engine injection.
• Within other vulnerability testing packages, the SQLi utility is often used.
• Many injection tactics, including normal, error, blind, and temporal, are supported by the tool.
• For simple database connection and retrieval, it provides database fingerprinting.

Pros​

The main advantages of the jSQL Injection are as follows:

• Open source and free.
• A substantial library of documentation.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the jSQL Injection are as follows:

• There are few reporting features.
• It is not appropriate for larger enterprises and is portable.

5. AppSpider (User-friendly, suitable for Windows)​

Rapid7 created AppSpider, a web application security scanner. The tool simulates real-world assaults and continually monitors apps to provide app security capabilities against SQLi.The program is intended to evaluate complicated and portable apps alike, probing into their most hidden recesses to find possible security flaws. Furthermore, the tool may offer comprehensive insights, allowing engineers to promptly and efficiently fix issues.

AppSpider may be integrated with a number of other technologies to meet users' needs for application security. It can integrate with issue-tracking platforms like Jira, automated testing tools like Selenium, API documentation frameworks like Swagger, and Continuous Integration (CI) technologies like Jenkins and Bamboo.

Pricing​

Three price options are available for AppSpider:

• Understanding AppSec (cloud): A single web application starts at $2,000.
• For a quote on AppSpider Enterprise (on-premise), get in touch with the vendor.
• Managed AppSec (cloud): Request a price from the supplier.

Features​

The main features of the AppSpider are as follows:

• AppSpider makes remediation reporting easier with its one-click vulnerability validation function.
• Because of its global translation capabilities, the program is able to more thoroughly scan contemporary online applications.
• AppSpider provides HTML-based reporting together with a Chrome plugin.
• Beyond the OWASP top 10, vulnerabilities may be tested for using the tool.

Pros​

The main advantages of the AppSpider are as follows:

• Expanded vulnerability testing beyond SQLi is provided.
• Testing is sped up by its one-click vulnerability validation feature.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the AppSpider are as follows:

• Inadequate instructions are provided on how to operate the product.
• Not every price strategy is clear-cut.
• The only operating system that it supports is Windows.

6. Acunetix (Advanced features, ideal for complex apps)​

SQLi testing is a component of Acunetix by Invicti's general web-based application scanning functionality. For Linux and Windows, its multi-threaded scanner can quickly scan through hundreds of thousands of pages. It finds typical problems with web server settings and excels with WordPress inspection.

Acunetix keeps a list of all websites, apps, and APIs current by creating it automatically. This program offers macros to automate scanning in password-protected and difficult-to-reach regions. It also scans SPAs, script-heavy websites, and HTML5 and JavaScript apps.

Features​

The main features of the Acunetix are as follows:

• The program includes testing for more than 7,000 vulnerabilities in addition to SQLi.
• provides a sophisticated macro recording feature that enables you to search password-protected portions of your website.
• The tool can determine how serious a vulnerability is and offer useful information.
• With Acunetix's integrated vulnerability management features, developers can address app issues more quickly.

Pros​

The main advantages of the Acunetix are as follows:

• It facilitates comprehensive scanning for webpages, sophisticated online applications, and web apps.
• By providing vulnerability verification, it lowers the number of false positives by determining which are genuine.
• On Jenkins, it may be set up as a plugin.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the Acunetix are as follows:

• There is a lack of transparency in pricing.
• Not available for free.

7. Qualys WAS (Regular assessments, real-time testing)​

Qualys WAS analyzes web applications and generates comprehensive reports on any vulnerabilities discovered using a combination of automated and human testing methodologies. Numerous vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other widespread web application vulnerabilities, may be found by Qualys WAS.

Apart from doing vulnerability scans, Qualys WAS offers several other functionalities, including comprehensive reporting, seamless interaction with other security solutions, and support for compliance mandates like PCI DSS.

Pricing​

The website does not have a price list. Request a quotation from Qualys.

Features​

The main features of the Qualys are as follows:

• Integration with other SIEM products for event management and security information.
• Millions of assets can be managed via scalable software.
• Supports thorough reporting that includes suggested repair actions, technical information, and severity levels.
• Qualys WAS facilitates autonomic scanning and crawling.

Pros​

The main advantages of the Qualys are as follows:

• Incredibly adaptable.
• Users get full access to their application environment thanks to this technology.
• Reporting features and compliance checks are integrated right into it.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the Qualys are as follows:

• Not appropriate for businesses with on-premise environments.
• It could need some technical know-how to set up and manage.

8. HCL AppScan (Enterprise-grade, on-premise and cloud)​

HCL Technologies purchased AppScan, a web application security testing product created by IBM. There are cloud-based and on-premises versions of the utility available. It may be used to check web applications for various vulnerabilities, such as SQLi, using a range of frameworks and technologies, such as PHP, Java, and.NET.

AppScan is a flexible solution for web application security testing since it provides a variety of scanning capabilities, such as dynamic scanning (DAST) and static scanning (SAST), in addition to manual testing alternatives.

AppScan offers comprehensive reporting features, such as suggested remedial actions and vulnerability severity rankings. Additionally, it is capable of integrating with other security solutions, including SIEM systems and vulnerability management platforms.

Pricing​

Request a free trial or quote for AppScan from the seller.

Features​

The main features of the AppScan are as follows:

• Multiple app testing features, including DAST, SAST, and interactive scanning (IAST), are supported by the software.
• Options for manual testing can be changed to fit specific test situations.
• It has the ability to generate comprehensive reports.
• The application is compatible with many different web application frameworks and technologies.

Pros​

The main advantages of the AppScan are as follows:

• Thorough scanning capability.
• A free trial is available.
• A large variety of web application technologies are supported.

Cons​

The main disadvantages of the AppScan are as follows:

• Prices for smaller businesses might be exorbitant.
• Some users might find the UI to be too complex.
• Some users might find the installation process to be complicated.

9. Imperva (Automated mitigation, beneficial for security teams)​

SQLi detection is provided by the cybersecurity platform Imperva as a part of its web application security solutions. SQL injection attacks are among the many forms of assaults that the Imperva SecureSphere Web Application Firewall (WAF) is intended to defend against.

The platform employs cutting-edge methods, such as machine learning algorithms, behavioral analysis, and signature-based detection, to instantly identify and stop SQLi assaults.

Pricing​

Request a free trial or quote from the seller.

Features​

The main features of the Imperva are as follows:

• Sophisticated detection methods, such as machine learning algorithms, behavioral analysis, and signature-based detection.
• SQLi attack prevention and real-time monitoring.
• Support for a large number of web apps and databases.
• Thorough reporting and examination of SQLi vulnerabilities and assaults.
• Integration with database firewalls and WAFs, among other security solutions.
• Support for NIST standards and other compliance needs.

Pros​

The main advantages of the Imperva are as follows:

• They provide a free trial.
• Threat detection and reporting in real-time.
• It permits extensive integration with other security systems.

Cons​

The main disadvantage of the Imperva is opaque pricing.

Choosing the Right SQL Injection Detection Tool for Your Needs​

A number of considerations should be made while selecting the optimal SQLi detection tool for your company, including scalability, accuracy, compatibility, ease of use, and feature set. The list of criteria for selecting SQL injection detection software is given below:

• Precision: It is known that certain SQLi tools might generate false positives during scanning, which can compromise the accuracy of vulnerability scan findings. In addition to wasting time and money, these false positives may divert your team's attention from real vulnerabilities that require attention. Consequently, it's critical to select a tool with a high accuracy rate and extensive testing.
• Features: What features are included in the product relative to the price you are paying for? This is one of the most important questions you should ask yourself. Even while most SQLi detection software has similar functionality, there are still some things that set them apart, particularly when it comes to price. It may be in the real-time monitoring features, integration capabilities, reporting, scan speed, etc.Some products, like sqlmap and jSQL Injection, have excellent integration and automated scanning functions, but they fall short in other areas, including real-time monitoring and sophisticated reporting capabilities. Your decision should thus be based on how well the tool's features suit the particular needs and financial constraints of your company.
• Harmony: Another crucial factor to take into account while selecting SQLi detection software for your company is compatibility. Your current technological stack, which includes your web application framework and database system, must function with the program. Choosing a product that is incompatible with your existing systems can lead to a number of IT issues, such as security flaws and downtime. Making sure the software works well with your existing systems is also essential.
• Usability: The installation, configuration, and use of SQLi detection software should be relatively simple. Prior to choosing a tool, you should think about how many user manuals and documentation your developers have access to. Taking this into account increases the likelihood that your team will utilize the product efficiently. Your team is more likely to quickly detect and fix issues if the tool is simple to use.
• Scalability: Scalability is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a SQLi detection tool for your company. The software must be scalable enough to support your company's current size as well as any future expansion. If a tool can't keep up with the expansion of your company, it might become outdated soon, leaving you open to attacks and requiring you to start over.