/ tags/ Brute Force

# Puppy

Hack-The-Box 54 / 72
8 min read

Windows Intermediate machine - Puppy.

HTB Active Directory Microsoft's directory service for managing users, computers, and permissions across a Windows domain. Windows Sudo Linux command for running as another user — misconfigured sudo rules are a common privilege escalation path. Nmap A network scanner used to enumerate open ports, services, and versions on a target. DNS The Domain Name System — translates hostnames to IPs; often leaks subdomains and internal naming during recon. PHP WinRM Windows Remote Management — used for remote PowerShell access, often the lateral-movement endpoint on AD boxes. SMB Server Message Block — Windows file-sharing protocol, frequently abused for enumeration and lateral movement. BloodHound A tool that maps Active Directory trust relationships as a graph to reveal hidden attack paths to Domain Admin. LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol — used to query Active Directory; often vulnerable to injection or anonymous binds. Brute Force Systematically trying many credential combinations until one succeeds. SUID A Linux permission bit that runs a binary as its owner — misconfigured SUID binaries are a classic privesc vector. NFS Network File System — shared Linux file storage, sometimes exported with no_root_squash for privilege escalation.
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# OpenAdmin

Hack-The-Box 47 / 72
5 min read

Linux Easy machine - OpenAdmin.

HTB Active Directory Microsoft's directory service for managing users, computers, and permissions across a Windows domain. Linux Sudo Linux command for running as another user — misconfigured sudo rules are a common privilege escalation path. SSH Secure Shell — encrypted remote login, targeted via key theft, brute force, or misconfigured access. PHP Password Spraying Trying one common password against many usernames to avoid account lockouts. Brute Force Systematically trying many credential combinations until one succeeds.
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# Nineveh

Hack-The-Box 46 / 72
6 min read

Linux Medium machine - Nineveh.

HTB RCE Remote Code Execution — the ability to run arbitrary commands on a target system remotely. Linux SSH Secure Shell — encrypted remote login, targeted via key theft, brute force, or misconfigured access. Nmap A network scanner used to enumerate open ports, services, and versions on a target. PHP LFI Local File Inclusion — a web vulnerability letting an attacker read arbitrary files on the server. MySQL Brute Force Systematically trying many credential combinations until one succeeds. SUID A Linux permission bit that runs a binary as its owner — misconfigured SUID binaries are a classic privesc vector. Cronjob A scheduled task on Linux — often abused for privilege escalation when it runs as root with a writable script.
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# Jeeves

Hack-The-Box 34 / 72
6 min read

Windows Medium machine - Jeeves.

HTB Windows Sudo Linux command for running as another user — misconfigured sudo rules are a common privilege escalation path. Nmap A network scanner used to enumerate open ports, services, and versions on a target. NTLM Windows' legacy authentication protocol — vulnerable to relay and pass-the-hash attacks. SMB Server Message Block — Windows file-sharing protocol, frequently abused for enumeration and lateral movement. Password Cracking Recovering a plaintext password from a captured hash via brute-force or wordlist attacks. Brute Force Systematically trying many credential combinations until one succeeds.
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# Cypher

Hack-The-Box 21 / 72
4 min read

Linux Medium machine - Cypher.

HTB Linux Sudo Linux command for running as another user — misconfigured sudo rules are a common privilege escalation path. SSH Secure Shell — encrypted remote login, targeted via key theft, brute force, or misconfigured access. Nmap A network scanner used to enumerate open ports, services, and versions on a target. PHP Brute Force Systematically trying many credential combinations until one succeeds.
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