Security issues in the database language SQL

Abstract: The Database Language SQL (SQL) is a standard interface for accessing and manipulating relational databases. An SQL-compliant database management system (DBMS) will include a minimum level of functionality in a variety of areas. However, many additional areas are left unspecified by the SQL standard. In addition, there are multiple versions of the SQL standard; the functionality will vary according to the particular version. This document examines the security functionality that might be required of relational DBMS's, and compares them with the requirements and options of the SQL specifications. The comparison will show that the security functionality of an SQL-compliant DBMS may vary greatly. A variety of security policies are considered which can be supported by SQL. The document ends by showing which types of functions are required by the examined security policies.