Can You Parameterize Table Names in Prepared Statements to Prevent SQL Injection?

Parameterizing Table Names in Prepared Statements

SQL injection is a critical security vulnerability that occurs when raw user input is directly inserted into a database query. To mitigate this risk, prepared statements offer a secure way to execute parameterized queries. However, the question arises: can we parameterize table names to protect against SQL injection?

Answer: No

Prepared statements only allow parameters to be bound for the "values" portion of the SQL statement. Table names cannot be parameterized because they determine the validity of the query. Changing the table name can alter the meaning of the query and potentially lead to security breaches.

Some database interfaces, like PDO, may allow for placeholder substitution for table names. However, the value would be enclosed as a string, resulting in invalid SQL when executed. For example, SELECT FROM ? with mytable as the parameter would be sent as SELECT FROM 'mytable' to the database, which is invalid.

Best Practice

To protect against SQL injection with user-supplied table names, it is recommended to:

• Use a white-list of allowed table names and check against it before using the $mytable variable.
• Concatenate the table name with the query, ensuring that the $mytable variable is sanitized before use.

Remember, it is crucial to implement proper input validation and security measures to prevent unauthorized table manipulation and potential data breaches.

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