detecting-sql-injection-via-waf-logs

name	detecting-sql-injection-via-waf-logs
description	Use when analyzing WAF (ModSecurity/AWS WAF/Cloudflare) logs to detect SQL injection attack campaigns. Parses ModSecurity audit logs and JSON WAF event logs to identify SQLi patterns (UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, SLEEP(), BENCHMARK()), tracks attack sources, correlates multi-stage injection attempts, and generates incident reports with OWASP classification.
domain	cybersecurity
tags	["detecting","sql","injection","via"]
subdomain	security-operations
version	1.0
author	oyi77
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["DE.CM-01","RS.MA-01","GV.OV-01","DE.AE-02"]

Detecting Sql Injection Via Waf Logs

Overview

Cybersecurity skill for detecting sql injection via waf logs. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

When to Use

Trigger phrases:

• "detecting sql injection via waf logs"

• "Analyze WAF (ModSecurity/AWS WAF/Cloudflare) logs to detect SQL injection attack"

• When investigating security incidents that require detecting sql injection via waf logs

• When building detection rules or threat hunting queries for this domain

• When SOC analysts need structured procedures for this analysis type

• When validating security monitoring coverage for related attack techniques

When NOT to Use

• When you lack proper authorization for testing
• For production systems without change management
• When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with security operations concepts and tools
• Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
• Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
• Appropriate authorization for any testing activities

Workflow

# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs(text: str) -> dict:
    return {k: re.findall(v, text) for k, v in IOC_PATTERNS.items()}

1. Define Detection Scope — Identify the specific sql injection techniques or indicators to hunt. Map to MITRE ATT&CK tactics/techniques where applicable.
2. Collect Baseline Data — Gather historical logs and establish normal behavior patterns for sql injection.