Courseiva

CEH Web Application and Injection Attacks Practice Question

Which of the following tools is specifically designed to automate the detection and exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications?

⚠ Common exam trap

CEH often tests the distinction between general web scanners (Burp, Nikto) and the purpose-built SQLi automation tool (SQLMap), so candidates must match the tool to the specific vulnerability class.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

SQLMap

SQLMap is an open-source penetration testing tool specifically designed to automate the detection and exploitation of SQL injection flaws in web applications. It supports a wide range of database backends, injection techniques (boolean-based, time-based, error-based, UNION, stacked queries), and post-exploitation actions such as dumping database contents. This makes it the correct answer for automated SQLi detection and exploitation.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    Burp Suite

    Why it's wrong here

    While Burp Suite is a comprehensive web penetration testing tool, offering capabilities like proxying, scanning, and intruder functions, its primary design is not solely dedicated to automating SQL injection. It can facilitate manual or semi-manual SQL injection testing through its Repeater or Intruder, but it lacks the built-in, intelligent detection and exploitation algorithms specific to SQL injection that a tool like SQLMap possesses. Its broader scope makes it a general-purpose web security tool rather than a specialized SQLi automation engine.

  • ✗

    Nikto

    Why it's wrong here

    Nikto is an open-source web server scanner designed to perform comprehensive checks for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and outdated software on web servers. It primarily focuses on server-side issues, identifying common web server flaws, dangerous files/CGIs, and server misconfigurations. While it might detect some generic web application vulnerabilities, its core functionality does not involve the sophisticated, database-specific payload generation and exploitation techniques required for SQL injection.

  • ✗

    Metasploit

    Why it's wrong here

    Metasploit Framework is a powerful, modular platform for developing, testing, and executing exploits against a wide range of targets and services. While it includes various auxiliary modules and exploits, some of which can target SQL injection vulnerabilities, its design encompasses a much broader spectrum of penetration testing activities, from reconnaissance to post-exploitation. It is a general-purpose exploitation framework, not a dedicated, specialized tool whose sole function is the automated detection and exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities.

  • ✓

    SQLMap

    Why this is correct

    SQLMap is an open-source penetration testing tool specifically engineered to automate the process of detecting and exploiting SQL injection flaws in web applications. It supports a wide array of SQL injection techniques, including boolean-based blind, error-based, union query, stacked queries, and time-based blind, across various database management systems. Its specialized algorithms and extensive payload database make it highly efficient and effective for fully automating the identification and exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities.

About these practice questions

This CEH question is part of Courseiva's 913-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

JA

Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official EC-Council exam blueprint

This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CEH exam.