Case Study: SQL Injection in Retail Platform

Background

A mid-size online retail platform with over 50,000 active users requested a web application penetration test from HackVitraSec to assess its security before a national launch campaign.

Vulnerability

Our team identified a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the product search feature. The endpoint /search?query= was vulnerable to injection, exposing sensitive order and inventory data.

Impact

• Dump of full user database including emails and hashed passwords
• Access to order history, product pricing, and internal inventory logs
• Severe PCI DSS compliance violation risk

Exploitation

Using Burp Suite and sqlmap, we confirmed full error-based SQLi and partial blind boolean injection. Exploitation yielded multiple database tables and their contents.

Remediation

• Rewrote vulnerable SQL queries with parameterized statements
• Implemented input validation and WAF rules
• Added logging and alerts for unusual SQL behavior

Outcome

The vulnerability was fixed within 36 hours. The client proceeded with launch as planned, with confidence in improved backend security and compliance readiness.