/ tags/ HTB

# 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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# Querier

Hack-The-Box 53 / 72
5 min read

Windows Medium machine - Querier.

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. 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.
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# PingPong

Hack-The-Box 50 / 72
20 min read

Unknown Unknown machine - PingPong.

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. NTLM Windows' legacy authentication protocol — vulnerable to relay and pass-the-hash attacks. 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. DCSync Abusing domain replication permissions to ask a Domain Controller for password hashes as if you were another DC. 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. Pass-the-Hash Authenticating using a stolen NTLM password hash directly, without ever knowing the plaintext password.
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# Planning

Hack-The-Box 49 / 72
6 min read

Linux Easy machine - Planning.

HTB Active Directory Microsoft's directory service for managing users, computers, and permissions across a Windows domain. 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. CVE A publicly catalogued, known vulnerability with a unique identifier (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures). Cronjob A scheduled task on Linux — often abused for privilege escalation when it runs as root with a writable script.
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