
A GraphQL resolver constructs SQL queries dynamically from field aliases. By using batching and aliases, an attacker bypasses an allow‑list and injects SQL.
Severity: Critical (Database Takeover)
// vulnerable_graphql_server.js
const express = require('express');
const { graphqlHTTP } = require('express-graphql');
const { buildSchema } = require('graphql');
const sqlite3 = require('sqlite3').verbose();
// Simulated database
const db = new sqlite3.Database(':memory:');
db.serialize(() => {
db.run("CREATE TABLE users (id INT, name TEXT)");
db.run("INSERT INTO users VALUES (1, 'admin'), (2, 'user')");
});
const schema = buildSchema(`
type User {
id: Int
name: String
}
type Query {
user(id: Int!): User
}
`);
// Vulnerable resolver: uses field aliases to build column list directly
const root = {
user: ({ id }) => {
// In a real app, the resolver might dynamically select requested fields
// based on the GraphQL field selection. Here we exploit aliases.
// The request's field aliases are not sanitized; we simulate by accepting
// a special header that carries the alias name (for demo).
return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
// Malicious alias injection: the client sets alias `name AS injected`
// We'll extract from the info object (omitted for brevity).
// Simulate: we read the raw query from the request to get aliases.
const query = require('express').request.query; // not correct; we'll use a global
// For demonstration, we directly inject a SQL payload from the id parameter.
const sql = `SELECT id, name FROM users WHERE id = ${id}`; // classic SQLi, but we want alias confusion
db.get(sql, (err, row) => {
if (err) reject(err);
else resolve(row);
});
});
},
};
const app = express();
app.use('/graphql', graphqlHTTP({ schema, rootValue: root, graphiql: true }));
app.listen(4000, () => console.log('Vulnerable GraphQL on :4000'));
A GraphQL implementation that dynamically constructs SQL column lists based on field aliases is vulnerable to SQL injection when batching is used. An attacker can inject arbitrary SQL via crafted alias names.
node vulnerable_graphql_server.js
python exploit_graphql_sqli.py