CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

What attack involves inserting a SQL statement via a web application's user input field?

1. Code Injection

2. SQL Injection

3. Command Injection

4. XML External Entity Injection

The correct answer is: SQL Injection

The scenario described pertains to SQL Injection, which is a specific type of attack that targets web applications by inserting or manipulating SQL statements through user input fields. When a user inputs data into a web form, the application may take this data and use it to construct a SQL query to interact with a database. If the application does not properly validate or sanitize this input, an attacker can insert malicious SQL code that the database will execute, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or data manipulation. Understanding SQL Injection is crucial, as it leverages the functionality of the underlying database and exploits vulnerabilities in how applications handle user input. This type of attack can have severe consequences, including data breaches and loss of integrity, making awareness and prevention measures essential in web application security. While other types of injection attacks were mentioned, such as Code Injection, Command Injection, and XML External Entity Injection, they each target different aspects or functionalities of applications and may not specifically involve SQL databases. Thus, the focus of this question aligns directly with SQL Injection as the method by which SQL statements are injected and executed within the context of web applications.