Code Injection

Code Injection is a security vulnerability where an attacker introduces malicious code into a software application, which is then executed by the system, causing unintended behavior. This can lead to unauthorized actions, data theft, system compromise, or denial of service.

Key components of code injection include:

• Malicious Input: Attackers inject harmful data, such as SQL queries or scripts, into input fields that are processed by the application.
• Types of Injection Attacks:
  
  • SQL Injection: Malicious SQL queries allow attackers to manipulate database operations, accessing or modifying data.
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts are injected into web applications, executing in users’ browsers, potentially stealing sensitive data.
  • Command Injection: Injected commands are executed by the underlying operating system, allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands.
• Security Risks: Code injection can lead to serious risks, including unauthorized access, data corruption, or server compromise.
• Prevention Techniques:
  
  • Input Validation: Ensuring only valid data is processed by the system, preventing malicious input.
  • Escaping Output: Properly escaping user inputs before displaying them ensures that they are treated as data, not executable code.
  • Prepared Statements: Using parameterized queries in databases prevents SQL injection by separating data from commands.

Code injection is a critical vulnerability that can be mitigated with proper validation, escaping, and secure coding practices to ensure application security.