How Can I Securely Use Dynamic Table Names in SQL to Prevent Injection?

Preventing SQL Injection with Dynamic Table Names

In response to a discussion on preventing SQL injection, it has been suggested that using PDO or mysql_real_escape_string is ineffective for safeguarding dynamic table names. However, further analysis reveals the validity of these suggestions under specific circumstances.

mysql_real_escape_string Limitation

While mysql_real_escape_string effectively escapes string data within quotes, it falls short when dealing with dynamic table names. The escape function only targets characters within quotes, leaving the backtick character unchanged. This oversight creates a loophole for attackers to execute SQL injection by incorporating a closing backtick into their input.

PDO Limitation

Similarly to mysql_real_escape_string, PDO does not provide direct protection against SQL injection involving dynamic table names.

Recommended Approach

To mitigate the risk of SQL injection when using dynamic table names, it is strongly advised to adopt alternative strategies:

• Avoid using dynamic table names: The optimal approach is to eliminate dynamic table names altogether.
• Restrict to valid values: If dynamic table names are unavoidable, compare them to a predefined list of authorized tables extracted from a SHOW TABLES command. This ensures that only valid table names are utilized, minimizing the risk of malicious activity.

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