Preventing SQL Injection (SQLi) in Drupal: A Complete Guide

Learn how to protect your Drupal site from SQL Injection (SQLi) attacks with practical coding examples and tools.

Introduction to SQL Injection in Drupal

Drupal is one of the most popular CMS platforms, and like many others, it can be vulnerable to SQL Injection (SQLi) if proper security practices aren’t followed. SQLi is a web security vulnerability that allows attackers to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database. In this blog, we’ll dive into understanding SQLi, how it affects Drupal, and share coding practices and tools to protect your site.

Pro Tip: Use our Free Website Security Checker to instantly assess your Drupal site’s vulnerability to SQL injection and other common threats.

What is SQL Injection (SQLi) and How Does It Affect Drupal?

SQL Injection occurs when an attacker exploits a vulnerability in an application’s database query. They can insert or “inject” arbitrary SQL code into a query, which allows them to retrieve, alter, or delete data from the database. In the case of Drupal, a SQLi attack could compromise sensitive user data, alter website content, or even take control of the site.

For instance, an unfiltered input field in a Drupal-based form could be manipulated with SQL commands. A successful SQLi attack could expose sensitive information, and once an attacker gains access, they can wreak havoc.

Preventing SQLi in Drupal: A Coding Example

To safeguard your Drupal application, always use prepared statements. Let’s look at a simple example in PHP.

php

// Vulnerable SQL Query in PHP (DO NOT USE)
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = '" . $_GET['name'] . "'";
$result = db_query($query);

// Secure SQL Query using Prepared Statements
$name = $_GET['name'];
$result = db_query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = :name", array(':name' => $name));

In this example:

• The first query is vulnerable to SQL injection because it concatenates user input directly into the query.
• The second query is secure, as it uses prepared statements, which bind the variable :name safely.

Screenshot of Free Website Vulnerability Scanner tool on Pentest Testing Corp.

Using Tools for Additional Protection

Drupal has built-in modules and configuration options to help mitigate SQLi risks. However, supplementing these protections with a vulnerability assessment tool can further enhance your site’s defenses. Our free tool at Pentest Testing allows you to assess potential SQLi vulnerabilities in your Drupal site. Regular checks help identify and patch vulnerabilities promptly.

Vulnerability Assessment Report Screenshot by Pentest Testing Corp.’s Free Website Vulnerability Checker tool

Best Practices for SQLi Prevention in Drupal

1. Keep Drupal Updated: Always run the latest version of Drupal and its modules.
2. Use Database Abstraction Layer: Drupal’s Database API provides a secure way to interact with your database.
3. Sanitize User Input: Use functions like check_plain() to sanitize inputs, especially when handling data from forms.
4. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): WAFs can help to detect and block SQL injection attacks before they reach your application.

Conclusion

SQL injection vulnerabilities in Drupal can lead to serious security breaches, but with secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments, you can safeguard your application. Try our Free Website Security Checker to see where your site stands against SQLi attacks. Remember, a proactive approach to security is your best defense.

About the Author:
Pentest Testing Corp is committed to providing cybersecurity solutions that empower businesses to protect their digital assets. Explore more on our website or try our free security checker tool today.