Are `mysql_real_escape_string()` and `mysql_escape_string()` Enough to Secure My Web Application Against SQL Injection?

Are mysql_real_escape_string() and mysql_escape_string() Sufficient for Application Security?

While these functions can enhance data protection, they are not sufficient to fully safeguard web applications from all security risks.

SQL Injection

• Mysql_escape_string() may still leave you vulnerable to SQL injection attacks, particularly if variable data is used in queries.

LIKE SQL Attacks

• LIKE queries with parameters like "�ta%" can be exploited to return all records or reveal sensitive information, such as full credit card numbers.

Charset Exploits

• Internet Explorer remains susceptible to charset exploits, which can give malicious actors remote database control.

LIMIT Exploits

• Mysql_real_escape_string() is ineffective against LIMIT exploit attacks, which can execute arbitrary SQL queries by manipulating the LIMIT value.

Proactive Defense: Prepared Statements

• Instead of relying solely on escaping, consider using prepared statements to prevent unexpected SQL execution.
• Prepared statements enforce valid server-side SQL syntax, mitigating the risks of both known and unknown vulnerabilities.

Code Example

Here's a comparison of mysql_escape_string() and prepared statements in PHP:

Prepared statements, while slightly longer to implement, offer superior protection against malicious SQL queries and reduce code complexity.

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