Code injection is a type of cyber attack where malicious code is inserted into a legitimate program or query, exploiting vulnerabilities in software input handling. This allows attackers to execute unauthorized commands, potentially leading to data breaches, system takeovers, or unauthorized access.
Common Types:
– SQL Injection: Attackers inject malicious SQL statements into an entry field, tricking the database into executing unintended queries. For example, in a login form, an attacker might input code to bypass authentication and access sensitive data.
– Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts are injected into web pages, often through user inputs like comments or search fields. When other users view the page, the script runs in their browser, stealing cookies or session data.
– Command Injection: Attackers insert operating system commands into an application, exploiting poor input validation. This can lead to arbitrary command execution on the server, such as running shell commands to delete files or install malware.
How It Works:
Code injection typically occurs when an application fails to sanitize or validate user inputs. For instance, if a web application directly incorporates user-supplied data into a database query without proper escaping, an attacker can manipulate the input to alter the query’s behavior.
Risks:
– Data Exposure: Sensitive information like passwords or personal data can be stolen.
– System Compromise: Attackers may gain full control, installing backdoors or ransomware.
– Reputation Damage: Organizations face legal and financial repercussions from breaches.
Prevention Strategies:
– Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to separate code from data.
– Implement input validation and sanitization to filter out malicious characters.
– Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) and regular security testing.
– Follow secure coding practices, such as the OWASP guidelines, to minimize vulnerabilities.
By addressing these issues early, developers can significantly reduce the risk of code injection attacks.
Table of contents
- Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz maker – Make a free quiz in minutes
- Part 2: 20 code injection quiz questions & answers
- Part 3: Automatically generate quiz questions using AI Question Generator
Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI quiz maker – Make a free quiz in minutes
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Part 2: 20 code injection quiz questions & answers
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1. Question: What is SQL injection?
A. A method to optimize database queries
B. An attack that inserts malicious SQL code into a query
C. A way to encrypt database connections
D. A technique for backing up databases
Answer: B
Explanation: SQL injection exploits vulnerabilities in input validation, allowing attackers to manipulate SQL queries and potentially access or modify data.
2. Question: Which of the following is a common prevention method for SQL injection?
A. Using prepared statements or parameterized queries
B. Storing passwords in plain text
C. Allowing user input without sanitization
D. Disabling database firewalls
Answer: A
Explanation: Prepared statements separate SQL code from data, preventing attackers from injecting malicious SQL commands.
3. Question: What type of code injection involves executing arbitrary commands on the operating system?
A. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
B. Command injection
C. LDAP injection
D. XML injection
Answer: B
Explanation: Command injection occurs when an attacker injects commands into a system shell through vulnerable input fields.
4. Question: In Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), what does an attacker typically inject?
A. Database queries
B. Malicious scripts into web pages
C. Encrypted files
D. Server-side code
Answer: B
Explanation: XSS allows attackers to inject client-side scripts that execute in the user’s browser, potentially stealing data or performing actions.
5. Question: Which HTTP header is commonly used to mitigate Cross-Site Scripting attacks?
A. Content-Security-Policy (CSP)
B. Cache-Control
C. Accept-Encoding
D. User-Agent
Answer: A
Explanation: CSP restricts the sources of scripts that can be executed, helping to prevent XSS by blocking unauthorized scripts.
6. Question: What is the primary risk of code injection in web applications?
A. Increased server performance
B. Unauthorized access or data manipulation
C. Faster data processing
D. Improved user authentication
Answer: B
Explanation: Code injection can allow attackers to bypass security controls, leading to data breaches or system compromise.
7. Question: Which of the following is an example of reflected XSS?
A. Storing malicious code in a database for later use
B. Injecting code that is immediately reflected in the response
C. Modifying server configuration files
D. Encrypting user data
Answer: B
Explanation: Reflected XSS involves the injected script being sent back to the user in the immediate response, often through a URL parameter.
8. Question: How can input validation help prevent code injection?
A. By allowing all user inputs without checks
B. By sanitizing and validating inputs to ensure they are safe
C. By increasing the size of input fields
D. By disabling error messages
Answer: B
Explanation: Proper input validation ensures that only expected data types and formats are accepted, reducing the chance of malicious code execution.
9. Question: What is LDAP injection?
A. Injecting code into Lightweight Directory Access Protocol queries
B. A method for optimizing network traffic
C. Encrypting directory services
D. A type of database backup
Answer: A
Explanation: LDAP injection manipulates LDAP queries to access unauthorized directory information, such as user credentials.
10. Question: Which programming language feature can help prevent SQL injection when used correctly?
A. String concatenation in queries
B. Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tools
C. Direct user input in SQL statements
D. Unescaped variables
Answer: B
Explanation: ORM tools abstract database interactions and handle parameterization, minimizing the risk of SQL injection.
11. Question: In a code injection attack, what role does encoding play?
A. It encodes data to make it unreadable
B. It can be used by attackers to bypass filters
C. It always prevents injection
D. It increases data size unnecessarily
Answer: B
Explanation: Attackers may use encoding techniques to evade detection, so proper decoding and validation are essential for defense.
12. Question: What is the difference between persistent and non-persistent XSS?
A. Persistent XSS stores the code in the database
B. Non-persistent XSS is always safer
C. Persistent XSS requires no user interaction
D. There is no difference
Answer: A
Explanation: Persistent XSS saves the injected script on the server, making it available to multiple users, while non-persistent XSS is temporary.
13. Question: Which of the following is a best practice to prevent command injection?
A. Directly executing user input as commands
B. Using whitelists for allowed commands
C. Ignoring input validation
D. Allowing wildcards in inputs
Answer: B
Explanation: Whitelists restrict inputs to predefined safe commands, preventing attackers from injecting unauthorized ones.
14. Question: What can happen if an application fails to escape user input properly?
A. Improved application speed
B. Vulnerability to code injection attacks
C. Reduced server load
D. Enhanced encryption
Answer: B
Explanation: Unescaped input can be interpreted as code, allowing injection attacks to succeed.
15. Question: Which type of injection targets XML-based systems?
A. SQL injection
B. XML injection
C. Command injection
D. XSS
Answer: B
Explanation: XML injection manipulates XML documents or queries, potentially leading to data exposure or denial of service.
16. Question: How does Content Security Policy (CSP) specifically help against code injection?
A. By blocking all external scripts
B. By defining allowed sources for resources like scripts
C. By encrypting all data transfers
D. By disabling user inputs
Answer: B
Explanation: CSP enforces restrictions on where scripts can be loaded from, mitigating risks from injected code in web applications.
17. Question: What is a common vector for code injection in APIs?
A. Secure API keys
B. Unsanitized query parameters
C. Encrypted endpoints
D. Rate limiting
Answer: B
Explanation: Unsanitized query parameters in APIs can allow attackers to inject malicious code into requests.
18. Question: In the context of code injection, what does “sanitization” mean?
A. Cleaning input data to remove or escape dangerous characters
B. Deleting all user data
C. Encrypting outputs
D. Increasing input length
Answer: A
Explanation: Sanitization processes input to neutralize potential threats, such as escaping special characters that could trigger injection.
19. Question: Which framework feature often includes built-in protection against SQL injection?
A. Raw SQL queries without parameters
B. ORM libraries in frameworks like Django or Ruby on Rails
C. Unvalidated forms
D. Direct database connections
Answer: B
Explanation: ORM libraries provide parameterized queries, which protect against SQL injection by separating code and data.
20. Question: What is the potential outcome of a successful code injection attack?
A. Enhanced system security
B. Data theft, privilege escalation, or system takeover
C. Faster application response times
D. Automatic backups
Answer: B
Explanation: Successful code injection can grant attackers control over the system, leading to severe security breaches.
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