: This is a SQL comment. It tells the database to ignore everything that follows it, which prevents any remaining original code from causing a syntax error.
: This is the core of the exploit. It instructs the database to combine the results of the legitimate query with the results of a new, malicious one. : This is a SQL comment
: This is likely a unique "fingerprint" or tag used by security researchers or automated scanning tools to identify if the injected code was successfully executed in the results. It instructs the database to combine the results
The string you provided is a designed to test for or exploit vulnerabilities in a database's search or filtering "feature." It provides a keyword, then uses a single
: This attempts to "break out" of the original SQL query. It provides a keyword, then uses a single quote and a closing parenthesis to trick the database into thinking the intended command has ended.
: This is used to determine the number of columns being returned by the original query. The attacker adds NULL values until the query stops returning an error, revealing the database structure.