Django: Safeguarding Against SQL Injection with Named Parameters

In Django, a popular Python web framework, you can interact with databases using Django's built-in ORM (Object Relational Mapper). This is the recommended way since it offers a layer of abstraction between your Python code and the underlying database.

However, there are situations where you might need to execute raw SQL queries. For instance, you might need to use a complex SQL query that Django's ORM doesn't directly support. When using raw SQL queries, it's important to use named parameters instead of positional parameters to prevent SQL injection attacks.

SQL injection is a type of cyber attack where an attacker injects malicious SQL code into a program that relies on user input. This can allow the attacker to steal data, modify data, or even take control of the database server.

Here's a simplified example of how to use named parameters with a raw SQL query in Django:

from django.db import connection

def my_view(request):
  name = request.GET.get('name')
  cursor = connection.cursor()
  cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = %s", {'name': name})
  rows = cursor.fetchall()
  # Process the rows
  ...
  return render(request, 'my_template.html', {'rows': rows})

In this example, the %s placeholder in the SQL query is replaced with the value of the name parameter. This helps to ensure that the user input is treated as data and not as part of the SQL code itself.

Now, on to your trip planning!

Here are some ideas of things you can do in Tokyo:

• Visit Sensō-ji Temple, a Buddhist temple that is one of Tokyo's oldest.
• See the view from the Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower.
• Go shopping in Shibuya, a district known for its busy crossing and upscale shopping.
• Take a walk in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a large park with a variety of gardens and a greenhouse.

• Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace from the Joseon Dynasty.
• Go shopping in Myeongdong, a district known for its street vendors and fashion stores.
• Explore Bukchon Hanok Village, a traditional Korean village with houses dating back to the 14th century.
• Hike up Bugaksan Mountain for panoramic views of the city.

I can't search for flights for you directly, but you can use a flight search engine like Google Flights or Kayak to find flights to Tokyo and Seoul.

When searching for flights, be sure to consider your budget, travel dates, and the airline you want to fly. You may also want to factor in the time of year, as some times of year are more expensive to travel than others.

I hope this helps!

from django.db import connection

def get_user_by_name(name):
  """Fetches a user by name using a raw SQL query with named parameters."""
  with connection.cursor() as cursor:
    cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = %s", {'name': name})
    row = cursor.fetchone()  # Fetch only the first row
  return row  # Returns a dictionary representing the user row or None if not found

This example defines a function get_user_by_name that takes a name parameter. It uses a with statement to ensure proper cursor management and avoid potential resource leaks. Inside the with block:

1. A cursor object is obtained from the database connection.
2. The SQL query is executed using the cursor.execute method. The %s placeholder is used for the name parameter.
3. A dictionary named params is created with the key 'name' and the value set to the function argument name. This dictionary is passed as the second argument to cursor.execute. This ensures the user input is treated as data, preventing SQL injection.
4. The cursor.fetchone method fetches the first row of the result set (assuming you only expect one user with that name).
5. The function returns the fetched row (a dictionary) or None if no row is found.

This is a basic example, you can modify it to fetch all rows using cursor.fetchall() or process the results as needed within the function.

Positional Parameters:

This method uses placeholders like %s in the SQL query according to the order they appear. Then, the parameters are passed as a separate list or tuple in the cursor.execute method.

from django.db import connection

def get_user_by_name(name):
  """Fetches a user by name using positional parameters (not recommended)."""
  with connection.cursor() as cursor:
    cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = %s", [name])
    row = cursor.fetchone()
  return row

Caveats:

• Security Risk: This method is vulnerable to SQL injection attacks if the order of parameters in the query doesn't match the order in the list. Malicious users could craft input that disrupts the intended logic.
• Readability: For complex queries with many parameters, it can be difficult to keep track of which parameter corresponds to which placeholder.

String Formatting:

Here, you directly format the user input into the query string using string formatting methods like f-strings.

from django.db import connection

def get_user_by_name(name):
  """Fetches a user by name using string formatting (not recommended)."""
  with connection.cursor() as cursor:
    query = f"SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = '{name}'"
    cursor.execute(query)
    row = cursor.fetchone()
  return row

• Severe Security Risk: This method is highly vulnerable to SQL injection. Malicious users can inject code directly into the string, bypassing any parameterization. It's strongly discouraged.
• Database Engine Compatibility: Different database engines might have different ways to escape strings within queries. This method might not be portable across databases.

Remember:

• Always prioritize named parameters for security and clarity.
• Only use positional parameters or string formatting if you absolutely must, and be extremely cautious about user input to avoid SQL injection.
• Consider using Django's ORM for most database interactions as it offers a safer and more maintainable approach.