_verified_ | Sql+injection+challenge+5+security+shepherd+new

You will notice the keyword appearing frequently in search queries. Historically, earlier versions of Security Shepherd (pre-2021) had a relatively straightforward SQLi in Challenge 5. However, the "new" iteration—updated for modern OWASP Top 10 compliance—introduced three critical changes:

SELECT coupon_code FROM coupons WHERE coupon_code = ′User_Input′SELECT coupon_code FROM coupons WHERE coupon_code = prime User_Input prime

The challenge description reads:

You realize that ( \ ) are not filtered. In MySQL, a backslash escapes the following character. But here, you don’t need quotes if you can inject without them. sql+injection+challenge+5+security+shepherd+new

We need a column that returns string data (not integer). Payload: 1'/**/UnIoN/**/SeLeCt/**/'Hack',NULL/**/aNd/**/1=2-- -

: You are presented with a "VIP Coupon Check" or "Super Meme Shop" page with a Coupon Code field .

The search query is not using prepared statements here — the developer hand-wrote a LIKE clause directly inside the query string. The user_id=2 corresponds to the guest user. The admin’s user_id is almost certainly 1 . You will notice the keyword appearing frequently in

. You must use SQL injection to trick the database into accepting an "always true" condition or revealing the valid code. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Walkthrough 1. Identify the Entry Point

Response shows :

Level 5, known as the "SQL Injection Escaping Challenge," raises the bar significantly. Here, the backend query looks something like this: In MySQL, a backslash escapes the following character

An attacker entering admin' -- as the username changes the query logic:

However, the vulnerability arises when the application's sanitization routine allows a backslash to be injected, which then escapes the developer's escape character.

Searching for solutions to yields fragmented forum posts and outdated hints. Why? Because this challenge isn’t just about dropping a ' OR 1=1 -- into a login form. It introduces a twist: case sensitivity, keyword filtering, and a misconception about prepared statements.