Incorporating CGI Form and SQL Database Access Secure Coding Standards and Techniques

Security can be a major concern anytime a website uses forms and databases. Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is not a programming language. Instead, it is a standard that enables communication between web forms and your program. A CGI script can be written in many different programming languages, including C, C++, Perl, Java, and others. CGI is commonly used on websites to create interactive forms, such as order forms, contact forms, surveys, registration forms, and several others.

Forms such as these have become commonplace on today’s websites. In most applications, these forms are secure; however, sometimes they are not. Securing web forms is a critical security consideration for preventing various forms of injection attacks. Key to securing online forms is incorporating strong input validation strategies; using secure communication protocols, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), and HTTPS; using password-protected forms; and, if necessary, incorporating a second level of encryption with RSA military-strength encryption.

It can be argued that the databases and the network database servers are the most important elements of a network. Databases store client details, financial information, human resource details, medical data, and much more. Without access to this data, many organizations would cease to function. One such type of database is the SQL database.

Although there are many ways to access a database, the most popular is to use SQL, which is designed for database systems that are accessed by a number of users simultaneously. It works on the basis of commands that can be integrated within applications.

Databases are systems for storing, retrieving, and managing data in a redundancy-reduced structured format. A database can be accessed directly using its own command set or a programming or scripting language. However, most databases are accessed through a client application. The client application accesses the data in a specified format, which is then presented to the user. This approach allows the databases to maintain a level of simplicity that can make them more responsive to requests and queries.

Because of the importance of databases, strategies and techniques are used to protect those servers and back-end databases. Some of these strategies include the following:

• Limiting user access to the database—All user accounts with access to the database should be closely monitored with the principle of least privilege applied. Database access should be guarded and restricted.

• Input validation—Web applications use SQL statements that incorporate user-supplied data. If user-supplied data are unsafe and unfiltered, a web application may be vulnerable to an SQL injection attack. A successful attack will allow the attacker to access, read, delete, and modify the information held within the database and even take control of the server on which the database is operating.

• Limit error messages—Error messages can be a form of information attack. Information leakage occurs when a website or web application discloses sensitive information unknowingly. For example, error messages can reveal information about the server, an application, or the network topology that an attacker can use to exploit the system.

• Logging and auditing—To help track and monitor access, it is necessary to enable auditing and logging to track events related to the database and database access. Tracking mechanisms can help identify potential security risks.

• Encryption protocols—If the database contains highly sensitive data, as most do, it is important to ensure that any communications into and out of the database are secured. You apply this security using secure encryption protocols and strong cryptography procedures.

• Physical security—Logical security measures are one form of security strategy, whereas physical security measures are another. Physical security measures restrict physical access to database servers, backups, and any other hardware related to the SQL database.