What is SQL injection?

SQL injection refers to a technique employed by malicious users to exploit vulnerabilities in an application that interacts with a database. This attack occurs when an attacker is able to manipulate a SQL query by injecting arbitrary SQL code into input fields that are not properly validated. This can enable the attacker to gain unauthorized access to the database, potentially allowing them to read, modify, or delete data, bypass authentication, or execute administrative operations on the database.

Understanding SQL injection is crucial for database design and security, as it highlights the importance of properly validating and sanitizing user inputs to prevent malicious data from being executed as part of SQL commands. This knowledge enables database professionals to implement stronger security measures and minimize risks associated with unauthorized data access.