What method is used by attackers to manipulate the way a web application interprets user input to bypass authentication?

The method used by attackers to manipulate how a web application interprets user input to bypass authentication is SQL injection. This technique involves injecting malicious SQL code into input fields that the application uses to interact with its database. By doing so, the attacker can alter the intended database query, which may allow them to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, including user credentials or administrative privileges.

In the context of web applications, if input validation and proper parameterization are lacking, the malicious SQL code can execute commands that the attacker should not have permission to perform. For example, an attacker could input a SQL statement that either authenticates them without valid credentials or retrieves data that should be restricted. This exploitation highlights the importance of secure coding practices, such as using prepared statements and proper input validation, to mitigate the risk of SQL injection attacks.

The other methods listed, while relevant in cybersecurity, do not specifically pertain to bypassing authentication in the same manner that SQL injection does. Command injection generally involves executing arbitrary commands on a host operating system, parameter pollution confuses an application by introducing unexpected parameters, and session hijacking captures or uses valid session tokens to impersonate a user. Each of these methods has its own context and applicability, but they do not directly relate to manipulating