Good Tech Inc. has realised its machines were vulnerable. They have decided to deploy a permanent VAPT machine within their network, where contractors can remotely access to perform the necessary vulnerability assessment scans.

However, this has not been the most secure deployment. Can you root this machine?

If you MUST have hints for this machine: ELECTRICAL is (#1): well-intentioned but horrible in execution, (#2): has multiple paths to privilege escalation, (#3): how you should not configure vendor configurations for VAPT work.

To celebrate the fifth year that the author has survived his infosec career, a new box has been born! This machine resembles a few different machines in the PEN-200 environment (making it yet another OSCP-like box). More enumeration practice indeed!

If you MUST have hints for this machine: FALL is (#1): what happens when one gets careless, (#2): important in making sure we can get up, (#3): the author's favourite season since it is a season of harvest.

Recently, Good Tech Inc. has decided to change their application development process. However, their applications look broken and too basic. Is this an application full of snakeoil, or are they insecure too? This goes beyond PEN-200, and some web application development expertise could be helpful.

If you MUST have hints for this machine: SNAKEOIL is (#1): a hint by itself, (#2): full of disallowed methods, (#3): a single file full of problems.

2021 brings us the VENGEANCE of digitalworld.local! A box born out of COVID-19. This machine was built whilst the author was mulling over life in infosec whilst doing his PEN-300 course. But the author always has a heart for the OSCP, which explains yet another OSCP-like box, full of enumeration goodness.

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): VENGEANCE is (#1): all about users making use of other users, (#2): broken hearts, (#3): broken minds.

Note: Always think like a user when enumerating target machine.

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.

Does penetration testing spark joy? If it does, this machine is for you.

This machine is full of services, full of fun, but how many ways are there to align the stars? Perhaps, just like the child in all of us, we may find joy in a playground such as this.

This is somewhat OSCP-like for learning value, but is nowhere as easy to complete with an OSCP exam timeframe. But if you found this box because of preparation for the OSCP, you might as well try harder. :-)

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): Joy is (#1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AvWs2X-bEA, (#2): something that should be replicated, (#3): what happens when you clean out seemingly "hidden" closets.

Note: There are at least two reliable ways of obtaining user privileges and rooting this machine. Have fun. :-)

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.

This is the evil twin of JOY. Unlike JOY, this machine is designed to drive you crazy. Stephen Hawking once mentioned, "God plays dice and throws them into places where they cannot be seen."

The dice for the machine can all be found on the Internet. Like all other machines built by me, you should not torment yourself by brute force. But perhaps, JOY and TORMENT are two sides of the same coin of satisfaction? Can we really spark joy if we can't first be tormented to endure sufferance?

This machine guarantees to teach you some new ways of looking at enumeration and exploitation. Unlike all the other OSCP-like machines written by me, this machine will be mind-twisting and maybe mind-blowing. You may lose your mind while at it, but we will still nudge you to... try harder!

This is NOT an easy machine and you should not feel discouraged if you spend a few days headbanging on this machine. At least three competent pentesters I have asked to test this machine report days (thankfully not weeks) of head banging and nerve wrecking. Do this machine if you enjoy being humbled.

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): Torment is (#1): what happens when you can't find your answer on Google, even though it's there, (#2): what happens when you plead for mercy, but do not succeed, (#3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ge1yWot4cE

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.

MERCY is a machine dedicated to Offensive Security for the PWK course, and to a great friend of mine who was there to share my sufferance with me. :-)

MERCY is a name-play on some aspects of the PWK course. It is NOT a hint for the box.

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): Mercy is: (#1): what you always plead for but cannot get, (#2): a dubious machine, (#3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-5UnMdKg70

Note: Some report a kernel privilege escalation works on this machine. If it does, try harder! There is another vector that you should try!

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.

This machine reminds us of a DEVELOPMENT environment: misconfigurations rule the roost. This is designed for OSCP practice, and the original version of the machine was used for a CTF. It is now revived, and made slightly more nefarious than the original.

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): Development is (#1): different from production, (#2): a mess of code, (#3): under construction.

Note: Some users report the box may seem to be "unstable" with aggressive scanning. The homepage gives a clue why.

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.

This machine hopes to inspire BRAVERY in you; this machine may surprise you from the outside. This is designed for OSCP practice, and the original version of the machine was used for a CTF. It is now revived, and made more nefarious than the original.

If you MUST have hints for this machine (even though they will probably not help you very much until you root the box!): Bravery is (#1): a positive trait in people, (#2): another way of saying "try harder", (#3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2QPJ2xGMiY

Note: There may be more than one method to obtain root privileges on this machine. Look around you!

Feel free to contact the author at https://donavan.sg/blog if you would like to drop a comment.