My Journey into Vulnerability Hunting
As an aspiring security researcher, finding my first significant vulnerability was both exhilarating and intimidating. I had spent months learning about web application security, practicing on capture-the-flag platforms, and reading countless articles about SQL injection vulnerabilities. But finding a real-world vulnerability, especially in an organization as prominent as NASA, was an entirely different challenge.
This article documents my methodology, the tools I used, and the lessons I learned while discovering a SQL injection vulnerability in one of NASA’s web applications. My goal in sharing this experience is to inspire other beginners and demonstrate that with persistence and methodical testing, even newcomers to the field can make meaningful security contributions.
Setting the Target Scope
NASA runs a public bug bounty program through the Vulnerability Disclosure Program, inviting security researchers to test their public-facing assets for vulnerabilities. Before starting any testing, I carefully reviewed their program policies to ensure my activities would be authorized and within scope.
The scope included numerous subdomains under nasa.gov, and I decided to focus on less obvious applications that might have received less attention from other researchers. After compiling a list of potential targets, I began my systematic reconnaissance.
Initial Reconnaissance
My reconnaissance process involved several phases:
- Subdomain Enumeration: Using tools like Sublist3r and Amass, I identified hundreds of NASA subdomains
- Service Fingerprinting: Analyzing technologies and frameworks used by each application
- Content Discovery: Locating hidden directories and endpoints
- Parameter Analysis: Identifying query parameters that might be vulnerable to injection
During this process, I discovered an older web application that appeared to be a database frontend for internal NASA research data. The application contained multiple search forms and displayed results in a structured format—classic indicators of a database-driven application.
Identifying the Vulnerability
What caught my attention was a search page with several parameters that seemed to interact directly with a database. One particular parameter stood out:
https://[redacted].nasa.gov/[redacted]/search.php?id=15&category=spacecraft
I began testing various SQL injection techniques on these parameters. Most attempts resulted in normal application behavior, but when I modified the ‘id’ parameter with a single quote:
https://[redacted].nasa.gov/[redacted]/search.php?id=15'&category=spacecraft
The application returned an error message containing SQL syntax information. This error message was a strong indicator of a potential SQL injection vulnerability, as it revealed that:
- The input was being directly incorporated into a SQL query
- The application was exposing error messages that provided information about the database structure
- Input sanitization was likely inadequate or nonexistent
Confirming the SQL Injection Vulnerability
To confirm the existence of a SQL injection vulnerability, I needed to verify that I could manipulate the SQL query’s logic. I tested a simple boolean condition:
https://[redacted].nasa.gov/[redacted]/search.php?id=15 AND 1=1&category=spacecraft
This returned normal results, while:
https://[redacted].nasa.gov/[redacted]/search.php?id=15 AND 1=2&category=spacecraft
Returned no results—confirming that the application was indeed vulnerable to SQL injection.
Further testing revealed that this was a classic error-based SQL injection. I was able to determine that the backend database was Microsoft SQL Server by using database-specific syntax tests.
Responsible Disclosure Process
Upon confirming the SQL injection vulnerability, I immediately halted my testing. While I could have explored the extent of the vulnerability further, I recognized that doing so without explicit permission could cross ethical boundaries.
I documented my findings in detail, including:
- The vulnerable endpoint and parameter
- Steps to reproduce the vulnerability
- Screenshots demonstrating the issue
- Potential impact assessment
- Remediation suggestions
I submitted this information through NASA’s official vulnerability disclosure channel and received an acknowledgment within 24 hours. The security team confirmed the vulnerability and began remediation efforts.
Timeline of Events
- Day 1: Discovered and verified the SQL injection vulnerability
- Day 1: Submitted detailed report to NASA’s security team
- Day 2: Received acknowledgment of the report
- Day 14: NASA confirmed the vulnerability had been remediated
- Day 30: Received formal acknowledgment and thanks from NASA
Lessons Learned
This experience taught me several valuable lessons about vulnerability hunting:
1. Persistence Pays Off
I had tested dozens of NASA subdomains before finding this vulnerability. Many researchers might have given up earlier, assuming that a high-profile organization like NASA would have robust security measures. Persistence was key to my success.
2. Focus on Less-Traveled Paths
The vulnerable application was an older system that likely received less security attention than NASA’s main websites. Looking for legacy or less prominent applications can often yield better results than focusing on an organization’s primary web presence.
3. Basic Techniques Still Work
Despite all the advanced exploitation techniques available, this vulnerability was discovered using the most basic SQL injection test—adding a single quote to a parameter. Never underestimate the effectiveness of fundamental testing methods.
4. Documentation is Crucial
Thorough documentation made the reporting process smooth and effective. The security team could quickly validate and fix the issue because my report provided all necessary details.
5. Ethical Boundaries Matter
Stopping at the confirmation stage rather than attempting to extract data demonstrated respect for ethical boundaries, which was acknowledged and appreciated by NASA’s security team.
Technical Analysis of the Vulnerability
The SQL injection vulnerability existed because the application failed to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The underlying code likely looked something similar to:
$id = $_GET['id'];
$query = "SELECT * FROM research_data WHERE id = $id AND category = '$category'";
$result = $db->query($query);
Without proper input validation or prepared statements, the application was directly inserting user-supplied values into the SQL query, allowing an attacker to modify the query’s structure and logic.
A secure implementation would have used parameterized queries:
$stmt = $db->prepare("SELECT * FROM research_data WHERE id = ? AND category = ?");
$stmt->bind_param("is", $id, $category);
$stmt->execute();
$result = $stmt->get_result();
Potential Impact
Had this vulnerability been discovered by someone with malicious intent, the potential impact could have included:
- Unauthorized Data Access: Extraction of sensitive research data
- Database Schema Mapping: Understanding the structure of NASA’s databases
- Credential Theft: Potential access to database credentials
- Lateral Movement: Using the vulnerability as an entry point to access other internal systems
Fortunately, NASA’s security team addressed the issue promptly, preventing any potential exploitation.
Conclusion: The Value of Security Research
Finding a SQL injection vulnerability in NASA’s infrastructure was a significant milestone in my security research journey. It validated months of learning and practice, while also providing a valuable service to an important organization.
For aspiring security researchers, my experience demonstrates that meaningful contributions to security are within reach, even for newcomers. The key ingredients are methodical testing, persistence, and a commitment to responsible disclosure practices.
Organizations like NASA benefit from the diverse perspectives that independent security researchers bring to the table. By maintaining open vulnerability disclosure programs, they harness the collective expertise of the security community to strengthen their defenses.
As for me, this discovery was just the beginning. It provided the confidence and motivation to continue developing my skills and contributing to the cybersecurity community. If you’re just starting out in security research, remember that your unique perspective and persistence might help you find vulnerabilities that others have missed.
This article details a security vulnerability that was properly disclosed and has since been remediated. The specific details of the vulnerable endpoint have been redacted to prevent any misuse. Always ensure you have proper authorization before conducting security testing against any system.