SSTI and Remote Code Execution Attack Chain

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Security

SSTI and Remote Code Execution Attack Chain

In this lab, you'll learn how to identify and exploit a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability, in order to escalate to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via Server Side Template Injection (SSTI). When you've finished with this lab, you'll know how to exploit a vulnerable endpoint to obtain code execution on a remote system.

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Lab Info

Rating

(14)

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Aug 05, 2025

Duration

40m

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!
Challenge

Exploiting Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

In this challenge, you will access a web application and identify a Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability by modifying application parameters. Once identified, the SSRF can be used to read local files (including the application source code) to identify additional application vulnerabilities.
Challenge

Exploiting Server Side Template Injection (SSTI)

In this challenge, you will analyze the application source code obtained in the previous challenge. The analysis will identify a Server Side Template Injection (SSTI) in the source code, which can be abused to obtain Remote Code Execution (RCE) on the host.
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

Riley Kidd

Riley has technical security consultancy experience – leading and building teams to deliver projects and outcomes for clients. He has created and facilitated technical trainings across secure coding, python for hackers, offensive operations, and Capture The Flag competitions. Riley has created technical educational content across YouTube, TCM Academy, and his personal Capture The Flag platform – 247CTF. Riley holds a number of certifications including OSCP, OSCE, OSED, OSWE, OSEP, CRTO, CRTL, CEH, CISA, CISSP, CREST CRT and CREST CCT. He has also completed a Bachelor of Software Engineering degree with honours from the Australian National University.

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