INTRODUCTION TO WEBSITE HACKING

SQL Injection

SQL Injection is a malicious web vulnerability, a dark art that allows attackers to manipulate the very heart of your application – its database. By interfering with the queries your application makes, attackers can view, modify, or even delete your precious data. And if that's not enough, they might even be able to take full control of your application, leaving you with a smoldering mess.

Comments in SQL programming, those quiet little notes developers leave in the code, can become weapons in the hands of these attackers. Ignored by the compiler or interpreter, comments usually go unnoticed, but in the wrong hands, they can be used to exploit vulnerabilities and wreak havoc.

Take a look at this innocent-looking code snippet:

SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'admin'-- 'AND password = 'haha';

Here, the attacker has added a comment -- to bypass the password check, effectively granting them access with just the username. It's a simple yet powerful technique, and there are many more like it in the SQL Injection Payload List on GitHub. A treasure trove of malicious techniques awaits at: https://github.com/payloadbox/sql-injection-payload-list

Local File Inclusion (LFI) & Remote File Inclusion (RFI)

Now, let's move on to another devious trick up an attacker's sleeve: Local File Inclusion (LFI). With LFI, attackers trick the server into including local files stored on it. This gives them access to sensitive files and sometimes even lets them execute their own code. It's like giving a burglar the keys to your house and showing them where you hide your valuables.

Websites that dynamically include files based on user input are particularly vulnerable to LFI attacks, especially if they don't sanitize and validate that input properly. Content management systems, forums, and web applications with file inclusion features are common targets for these malicious intruders.

But wait, there's more! Remote File Inclusion (RFI) takes it a step further. With RFI, attackers include files from external sources, executing malicious code hosted on their own servers. It's like letting the burglar bring their own tools to break into your safe.

The Many Faces of Website Defacement

Website defacement, the act of altering a website's content or appearance without authorization, is a common goal of attackers. Here are some of the ways they can achieve this:

1. Admin Login Pages: Locating the admin login portal and gaining unauthorized access to alter website content.
2. LFI/RFI: Including and executing local or remote files to inject malicious scripts or replace files, ultimately changing website content.
3. SQL Injection: Injecting malicious SQL commands to modify or delete database entries, thereby altering website content.
4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, displaying altered content or redirecting them to malicious pages.
5. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): Exploiting internal services and making the server perform unauthorized requests to gain control and modify website content.
6. DDoS Attack: Overloading a website with traffic to make it unavailable, indirectly affecting site functionality.

And there's more where that came from. Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) and Directory Traversal are just a couple of other tricks attackers use to manipulate website content and execute server-side commands.

Attacks Targeting Visitors, Not Websites

Not all attacks are aimed at defacing websites. Some target the visitors themselves:

1. DNS Spoofing (DNS Cache Poisoning): Altering DNS records to redirect unsuspecting users from a legitimate site to a malicious one.
2. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF): Tricking authenticated users into performing actions on a web application without their consent, such as transferring money to an attacker's account.

The world of website hacking is a treacherous one, full of pitfalls and dangers. But fear not, for knowledge is power. By understanding these threats, we can fortify our defenses and keep our digital kingdoms safe.

And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even set up your own vulnerable website to practice your hacking skills. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use these skills wisely, young padawan.