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Initial Access: Show Impact of Exploitation

In this lab, you’ll exploit vulnerabilities and configuration weaknesses to gain access to networked devices. When you’re finished, you’ll have a foothold in the system and be able to demonstrate the impact of your activities.

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Lab platform
Lab Info
Rating
(21)
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Aug 04, 2025
Duration
1h 15m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Getting Started in the Lab Environment

    Here are the initial instructions and explanation of the lab environment. Read this while your environment is busy creating itself from nothing. Yes, this violates physics; we know. How fun!

  2. Challenge

    Accessing Sensitive Information

    You'll exploit a vulnerable FTP server to gain access to sensitive information.

  3. Challenge

    Exploiting CVE-2020-7247

    Next up, you'll exploit a vulnerable SMTP server to execute arbitrary commands as root via a crafted SMTP session.

  4. Challenge

    Exploiting Insecure NFS Configuration

    Take advantage of the access provided to a user’s /home folder via NFS to plant SSH credentials nd elevate your access to a root shell.

  5. Challenge

    Creating an Alternative Access Channel

    You'll exploit a vulnerable version of bash to create an alternative access channel for persistence

  6. Challenge

    The Last Challenge

    Welcome to the final challenge! This is your last chance to experiment in the environment. Clicking Finish Lab will end this little world that flittered into existence just for you.

About the author

Matt has a degree in Chemical engineering and a PhD in mathematical chemistry. He is also a GIAC certified incident handler and penetration tester and has regulated cyber security in the UK civil nuclear sector for many years.

Real skill practice before real-world application

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

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