What is the best defense against SQL injection attacks on web applications? Learn how input validation and parameterized queries protect databases from malicious input—essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
A security engineer wants to prevent SQL injection attacks on a web application. What is the best defense?
A. Disable firewall logging
B. Use input validation and parameterized queries
C. Increase network bandwidth
D. Enable JavaScript on all web pages
E. Allow all user inputs without restriction
Answer
B. Use input validation and parameterized queries
Explanation
Validating user inputs and using parameterized queries prevent SQL injection attacks.
The best defense against SQL injection attacks on a web application is to use input validation and parameterized queries.
Input validation ensures that user-supplied data conforms to expected formats, types, and ranges, rejecting any input that could contain malicious SQL code. This should be enforced on the server side using a whitelist approach, where only known-good input is accepted.
Parameterized queries (also called prepared statements) separate SQL code from user input by using placeholders for user-supplied values. This prevents attackers from injecting malicious SQL, as the database treats the input strictly as data, not executable code.
Building SQL queries by concatenating user input directly into query strings is highly vulnerable to injection. Instead, parameterized queries ensure each input is properly escaped and validated by the database engine, making injection attacks ineffective.
Additional best practices include using the least privilege principle for database accounts, regular security testing, and proper error handling to avoid leaking technical details.
Validating user inputs and using parameterized queries are the most effective ways to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that user data cannot alter the intended structure of SQL statements.
CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam and earn CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 certification.