B608: hardcoded_sql_expressions

B608: Test for SQL injection

An SQL injection attack consists of insertion or “injection” of a SQL query via the input data given to an application. It is a very common attack vector. This plugin test looks for strings that resemble SQL statements that are involved in some form of string building operation. For example:

• “SELECT %s FROM derp;” % var
• “SELECT thing FROM ” + tab
• “SELECT ” + val + ” FROM ” + tab + ...

Unless care is taken to sanitize and control the input data when building such SQL statement strings, an injection attack becomes possible. If strings of this nature are discovered, a LOW confidence issue is reported. In order to boost result confidence, this plugin test will also check to see if the discovered string is in use with standard Python DBAPI calls execute or executemany. If so, a MEDIUM issue is reported. For example:

• cursor.execute(“SELECT %s FROM derp;” % var)

Example:

>> Issue: Possible SQL injection vector through string-based query
construction.
   Severity: Medium   Confidence: Low
   Location: ./examples/sql_statements_without_sql_alchemy.py:4
3 query = "DELETE FROM foo WHERE id = '%s'" % identifier
4 query = "UPDATE foo SET value = 'b' WHERE id = '%s'" % identifier
5

See also

• https://www.owasp.org/index.php/SQL_Injection
• https://security.openstack.org/guidelines/dg_parameterize-database-queries.html # noqa

New in version 0.9.0.