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Introduction

In computer science, SQL injection is a code injection technique used to attack data-driven applications. This attack occurs when malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution, exploiting vulnerabilities in how an application handles user-provided data. SQL injection primarily exploits instances where user input is not properly filtered or validated, or when it is included directly in SQL queries without sufficient control. As a result, attackers can interfere with database commands and perform unauthorized actions. Through these attacks, it is possible to spoof identities, modify or delete existing data, expose sensitive information, or even gain full administrative control over the database. Although typically associated with web applications, SQL injection can affect any system that uses SQL databases and, in some cases, even other systems like NoSQL databases. According to the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), this vulnerability occurs when applications construct database queries using unverified input. To prevent these attacks, techniques such as the use of prepared statements, stored procedures, and strict input validation are recommended. In this article, we will demonstrate the most common forms of this attack, illustrated with concrete examples from practice.
Heartland Payment Systems (2008)
SQL Injection Jun 03, 2026

Heartland Payment Systems (2008)

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, Heartland Payment Systems provides payment processing services to over 300,000 businesses across the U.S. Its services i...

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Eleven breach (2007)
SQL Injection Jun 03, 2026

Eleven breach (2007)

The 2007 attack on 7-Eleven remains one of the most significant cases involving the use of the SQL Injection technique in cybercrime. According to official documents from the U.S....

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Talk Talk (2015)
SQL Injection Jun 03, 2026

Talk Talk (2015)

In October 2015, the British company TalkTalk was attacked through a SQL Injection vulnerability on several legacy webpages inherited from its acquisition of Tiscali. Using tools l...

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Equifax (2017)
SQL Injection Jun 03, 2026

Equifax (2017)

Between May and July 2017, Equifax suffered one of the largest personal data breaches in history. Attackers exploited an unpatched vulnerability in Apache Struts. They gained acces...

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British Airways (2018)
SQL Injection Jun 03, 2026

British Airways (2018)

In 2018, British Airways faced one of the most serious cyberattacks in its history. Customer data was compromised through a web skimming attack (also known as Magecart). The attack...

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