Client Side Vulnerabilities / Client-Side SQL Injection (DOM-Based)

Description

Client-side SQL injection (DOM-based) is a type of injection attack that is classified as a Client Side Vulnerability (CWE-79). It occurs when a web application allows user-supplied input to be executed as part of a SQL query without proper validation or sanitization. According to the OWASP Testing Guide, DOM-based SQL injection is particularly dangerous because it is available to any user that visits the vulnerable page; it does not depend on the user having an account or being logged in.

Risk

Client-side SQL injection (DOM-based) poses a serious risk to web applications and APIs. Without proper validation or sanitization, attackers can gain access to sensitive data, change or delete data, or even modify the application’s functionality. The attack can be used to steal personal information, manipulate data, and cause a denial-of-service (DoS) attack.

Solution

The best way to protect against client-side SQL injection (DOM-based) is to ensure that user-supplied input is properly validated and sanitized. Validation should occur both on the client-side and the server-side, and any data coming from the client should be escaped before being used in a query. Additionally, it is important to use parameterized queries and stored procedures to limit the potential for SQL injection attacks.