Exploring Hackvertor: A Powerful Tool for Security Researchers

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Introduction

Hackvertor is a versatile web-based tool designed for security researchers, offering advanced conversion capabilities and a built-in Hack Pad for testing payloads. Developed by Gareth Heyes, a researcher at PortSwigger Web Security, this tool simplifies encoding, decoding, and manipulating data for penetration testing and vulnerability research.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to use Hackvertor for security testing.
• Learn key encoding/decoding techniques for bypassing security filters.
• Explore practical applications of Hackvertor in web exploitation.

You Should Know

1. Basic Data Encoding/Decoding with Hackvertor

Hackvertor supports multiple encoding schemes, including Base64, URL, and HTML entities.

Example Command:

<@base64>alert(1)<@/base64> 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit Hackvertor.

2. Paste the payload inside `<@base64>` tags.

1. Click Convert to generate the encoded output (YWxlcnQoMSk=).
2. Use this in XSS payloads to bypass basic filters.

2. Using Hack Pad for Real-Time Testing

Hackvertor’s built-in Hack Pad allows dynamic payload manipulation.

Example Command:

<@hex_entities>alert('XSS')<@/hex_entities> 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Hackvertor and navigate to the Hack Pad.

2. Enter the payload with `<@hex_entities>` tags.

3. The tool converts it to `\x61\x6C\x65\x72\x74\x28\x27\x58\x53\x53\x27\x29`.

1. Test this in input fields to evade WAFs.

3. Custom Tag Creation for Advanced Obfuscation

Hackvertor allows defining custom conversion tags for unique obfuscation.

Example Command:

<@reverse>dlrow olleh<@/reverse> 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Define a custom tag (e.g., <@reverse>) in Hackvertor.
2. Apply it to reverse strings dynamically (hello world).

3. Useful for bypassing signature-based detection.

4. Exploiting XSS with Chained Encodings

Combining multiple encodings can bypass advanced security mechanisms.

Example Command:

<@html_entities><@base64>PHNjcmlwdD5hbGVydCgxKTwvc2NyaXB0Pg==<@/base64><@/html_entities> 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Chain Base64 and HTML entity encoding.

2. The payload decodes to ``.

3. Test in contexts where single encoding fails.

5. API Security Testing with Hackvertor

Simulate malicious API requests using encoded payloads.

Example Command:

<@url>{"user":"admin","password":"<@base64>password123<@/base64>"}<@/url> 

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Encode sensitive parts of a JSON request.

1. Use the output in Burp Suite or Postman.

3. Helps test for injection flaws in APIs.

What Undercode Say

• Key Takeaway 1: Hackvertor’s flexibility in encoding/decoding makes it indispensable for bypassing WAFs and input filters.
• Key Takeaway 2: The tool’s no-login-required approach ensures accessibility for quick security assessments.

Analysis:

Hackvertor bridges the gap between manual obfuscation and automated tools, offering a unique advantage in red-team engagements. Its ability to chain encodings dynamically allows testers to adapt to evolving defenses. As web applications implement stricter input validation, tools like Hackvertor will remain critical for uncovering hidden vulnerabilities.

Prediction

With increasing reliance on AI-driven security solutions, Hackvertor’s role will expand into adversarial machine learning, helping researchers craft payloads that evade AI-based detection systems. Future updates may integrate automated fuzzing and AI-assisted obfuscation, further enhancing its utility in penetration testing.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Gareth Heyes – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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