The application does not escape double quotes, so this payload is inserted directly into the query, resulting in:
Need the exact solution for your specific instance of Security Shepherd? Ensure your version is updated to the "new" standard. The payloads above (using mixed-case /eXpLoIt/ syntax) currently bypass all versions as of 2025.
To retrieve a specific, hidden coupon code or sensitive information from the database that is not displayed through the standard UI.
Even earlier releases laid the groundwork for the current platform. Version 2.4 included better XSS detection, new levels, an improved administrative user interface, and a user class adaptive scoreboard, demonstrating the project's long-standing commitment to continuous improvement. sql+injection+challenge+5+security+shepherd+new
An attacker entering admin' -- as the username changes the query logic:
Examine the request for SQLi points in the userName parameter. Remediation: How to Prevent This Injection
regardless of the actual coupon, you can use a classic tautology injection. Solution Steps Tautology Injection : Input a payload that always evaluates to true, such as: ' OR 1=1 -- " OR 1=1 -- : By using The application does not escape double quotes, so
String query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = '" + request.getParameter("userid") + "'"; Statement stmt = conn.createStatement(); ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery(query);
: Use modern Object-Relational Mapping libraries that handle escaping automatically.
The goal of Security Shepherd is not just to break it, but to learn how to fix it. To retrieve a specific, hidden coupon code or
Use strict allow-lists for input, ensuring that an item_id is actually an integer.
// Danger: Flawed custom escaping logic vulnerable to backslash bypasses String sanitizedInput = userInput.replace("'", "\\'"); String query = "SELECT coupon_code FROM coupons WHERE coupon_code = '" + sanitizedInput + "'"; ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery(query); Use code with caution. Remediated Secure Code Blueprint
Navigate to the tab within your OWASP Security Shepherd platform .
Based on typical Security Shepherd implementations, the following approaches are often successful for Level 5. Scenario A: Bypassing Email/Format Validation