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As we live in an age of information where data is an invaluable asset, protecting that data becomes a paramount duty for every organization. SQL, which is one of the most popular languages for managing data in a relational database, can potentially open up security vulnerabilities if not used properly. In this blog post, we will discuss some standard SQL security best practices using Databricks.
The Importance of SQL Injection Protection
The primary mode of attack on an SQL database is through SQL injections. An SQL injection is a code injection technique used by hackers to attack applications that are connected to databases. By injecting maliciously crafted SQL commands, attackers can bypass application security measures and access, modify or destroy database content.
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-- Bad practice! Vulnerable to SQL I<a href="mailto:njection @app.route" >njection @app.route</a>('/data', methods=['GET']) def data(): user_input = request.args.get('user_input') query = text('SELECT * FROM USERS WHERE name = ' + user_input) result = db.engine.execute(query) return jsonify({'result': [dict(row) for row in result]}) |
In the example above, if a user provides ‘Tom; DELETE FROM USERS; –‘ as input to the ‘user_input’ field, the query becomes ‘SELECT * FROM USERS WHERE name = Tom; DELETE FROM USERS; –’. This results in all data being erased from the USERS table.
Parameterized Queries
One of the best ways to avoid SQL injection vulnerabilities is to use parameterized queries, which allow developers to pass parameters to SQL statements in a way that’s safe and efficient.
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-- Good practice! Applying parameterization to avoid SQL I<a href="mailto:njection @app.route" >njection @app.route</a>('/data', methods=['GET']) def data(): user_input = request.args.get('user_input') query = text('SELECT * FROM USERS WHERE name = :name') result = db.engine.execute(query, name=user_input) return jsonify({'result': [dict(row) for row in result]}) |
In this example, the user_input is not directly attached to the SQL query string; instead, it is included as a parameter value. This distinction prevents SQL Injection attacks, as the input is not treated as part of the SQL command.
Securing Data with Access Controls
Another essential part of SQL security involves granting permissions. It’s important only to grant necessary privileges and access rights to specific users or roles. This means following the principle of least privilege: only giving users the permissions they need to do their job and nothing more.
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GRANT SELECT, UPDATE ON Orders TO SalesTeam; |
The code above allows members of the “SalesTeam” role to run SELECT and UPDATE statements on the “Orders” table – but they can’t DELETE, INSERT, or modify the table schema.
Encrypt Sensitive Data
Sensitive data such as credit cards, social security numbers, or user passwords should always be stored in encrypted form in the database using appropriate encryption techniques.
Conclusion
SQL Security goes beyond just protecting against attacks; it also involves how data is stored, accessed, and used. By implementing these best practices for Databricks SQL, you can enhance your database security and protect your data assets from potential threats.