Featured resource
2025 Tech Upskilling Playbook
Tech Upskilling Playbook

Build future-ready tech teams and hit key business milestones with seven proven plays from industry leaders.

Check it out
  • Lab
    • Libraries: If you want this lab, consider one of these libraries.
    • Security
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

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.

Google Cloud Platform icon
Lab platform
Lab Info
Rating
(14)
Level
Beginner
Last updated
Aug 05, 2025
Duration
40m

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.
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.

About the author

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.

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.

Learn by doing

Engage hands-on with the tools and technologies you’re learning. You pick the skill, we provide the credentials and environment.

Follow your guide

All labs have detailed instructions and objectives, guiding you through the learning process and ensuring you understand every step.

Turn time into mastery

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you take time to practice. Hands-on labs set you up for success to make those skills stick.

Get started with Pluralsight