What tool is best suited for identifying vulnerabilities in applications that may lead to SQL injection attacks?

A vulnerability scanner is specifically designed to identify weaknesses in applications and systems, including those that may lead to SQL injection attacks. SQL injection vulnerabilities arise when an application improperly handles user input by allowing malicious SQL code to be executed.

Vulnerability scanners systematically assess applications by testing their inputs and monitoring responses to determine if they can successfully exploit weaknesses like SQL injection. They employ various techniques, such as examining code and evaluating security configurations, to pinpoint areas of potential risk.

In this context, other options are less suited for identifying SQL injection vulnerabilities. A packet sniffer captures and analyzes network packets but does not actively test for vulnerabilities in application code itself. An intrusion-detection system focuses on identifying and responding to suspicious activities within a network rather than assessing vulnerabilities proactively. A network switch, on the other hand, is primarily a component used for directing traffic within a network and does not have capabilities for vulnerability detection.

Thus, a vulnerability scanner stands out as the most effective tool for detecting SQL injection vulnerabilities in applications.