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🔓Finally done: Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) from TCM Security! 🔓
🪪 This certificate was achieved after Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) on the target in scope was conducted, followed by an External and Internal Penetration Test, leading to a full Active Directory Domain compromised. After the practical assessment, a professional report had to be written and a 15-minutes debriefing explaining the path taken towards full domain compromise together with recommendations for mitigations of the vulnerabilities found.
👨💻The environment and the exam experience provide a deep feeling of what a real world penetration test is about, and it should not be treated as a Capture-the-Flag!! This is the one mistake I did more than I would like to admit which stopped me from passing the exam. However, through a persistent and resilient approach to failures, I pushed harder and finally managed to get Domain Admin in the environment.
💡You know what they say: “Failure paves the way to success”! In my opinion, it is one of the most important parts in the learning process and unavoidable eventually for those who dare to strive for progress and in pursuit of knowledge. Do you agree?
🔜Now, I have my eyes on the next 4-letter acronym challenge.
Practice Verified Codes and Commands:
1. OSINT Tools:
theHarvester: `theHarvester -d example.com -b google`
–recon-ng: `recon-ng -m recon/domains-hosts/bing_domain_web`
2. External Penetration Testing:
nmap: `nmap -sV -sC -oA scan_results example.com`
–nikto: `nikto -h example.com`
3. Internal Penetration Testing:
smbclient: `smbclient -L //192.168.1.1 -U administrator`
–crackmapexec: `crackmapexec smb 192.168.1.0/24 -u user -p password`
4. Active Directory Exploitation:
BloodHound: `bloodhound-python -d example.com -u user -p password -c All`
–Mimikatz: `mimikatz.exe “privilege::debug” “sekurlsa::logonpasswords”`
5. Reporting and Debriefing:
Dradis: `dradis start`
–Metasploit: `msfconsole -r report.rc`
What Undercode Say:
The journey to becoming a certified Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) is a testament to the resilience and persistence required in the field of cybersecurity. The process involves a comprehensive understanding of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), external and internal penetration testing, and the exploitation of Active Directory domains. The use of tools like theHarvester, nmap, smbclient, and `Mimikatz` is crucial in identifying vulnerabilities and gaining domain compromise.
The importance of failure in the learning process cannot be overstated. Each setback provides valuable lessons that pave the way to success. The practical experience gained from such certifications is invaluable, offering a realistic glimpse into the challenges of real-world penetration testing.
For those aspiring to follow a similar path, it is essential to embrace failure, persist through challenges, and continuously seek knowledge. The journey is demanding, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Additional Commands and Tools:
- Linux Commands:
netstat: `netstat -tuln`
–tcpdump: `tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap`- Windows Commands:
ipconfig: `ipconfig /all`
–net user: `net user administrator /active:yes`- Cybersecurity Tools:
Wireshark: `wireshark -k -i eth0`
–John the Ripper: `john –wordlist=passwords.txt hash.txt`- URLs for Further Reading:
- TCM Security PNPT Certification
- OSINT Framework
- BloodHound Documentation
The journey to mastering cybersecurity is ongoing, and the tools and techniques mentioned here are just the beginning. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to staying ahead in this ever-evolving field.
References:
Hackers Feeds, Undercode AI
