What is SQL injection?

SQL injection refers to a code injection technique that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in an application's software when interacting with a database. This vulnerability arises when user inputs are improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to input malicious SQL statements. These statements can then be executed by the database, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information, data manipulation, or even data destruction.

When SQL injection is successful, an attacker can gain the ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This could involve extracting sensitive data, inserting false records, or executing administrative operations on the database. Understanding SQL injection is crucial for database administrators and developers to implement effective security measures, such as using prepared statements, stored procedures, and proper input validation, to safeguard against such attacks.

The incorrect options reflect misunderstandings of SQL injection. For instance, describing it as a method to enhance database performance confuses it with legitimate optimization techniques. Similarly, portraying it as a security strategy undermines the fact that SQL injection represents a significant security vulnerability instead of a protective measure. Lastly, associating it with data migration misrepresents its nature, as SQL injection specifically pertains to security breaches rather than processes aimed at transferring data between systems.