SQL injection is a serious vulnerability that can compromise the security of any application that interacts with a database. It occurs when user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being used in a SQL query. This allows attackers to inject their own SQL commands into the query, effectively tricking the application into executing unintended actions. For example, an attacker might enter a malicious string into a login form, causing the database to return all user accounts instead of just the one matching the provided credentials. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and even complete system compromise. Understanding how SQL injection works is crucial for building secure applications. A well-designed application will always validate and sanitize user input to prevent this type of attack.