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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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Path Info

Rating
(14 reviews)
Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 40m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 05, 2025

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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

    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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Riley Kidd - Labs - Riley
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.

What's a lab?

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.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
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