Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation
Beginner60 min5 objectives

Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation

Practice Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation in a deterministic local workspace without unavailable external infrastructure.

Briefing

### Scenario You are a linux practitioner handling a realistic client engagement. For Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation, the client has provided a staging environment that mirrors production but is isolated to this lab. Your task is to demonstrate the core technique on the local target without touching external systems. The scenario is intentionally scoped to what you can verify inside the container. ### Environment and scope Use the Ubuntu 22.04 practice container. Working directory is `/home/student/lab-work` (create it with `mkdir -p`). Target is `127.0.0.1` and `127.0.0.1:8080` where a `python3 -m http.server` or service-specific daemon runs. Install only needed tools via `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y coreutils, acl, sudo, passwd` then verify with `ls --version && getfacl --version`. Credentials: `student:lab123` with `sudo` (created via `useradd` + `chpasswd` + `sudoers.d` as in `labs.service.ts:554`). Do not scan or query outside 127.0.0.0/8 or lab-work. Scope is strictly container-only; no external cloud, hardware, or nested container engines. ### Mission objective For Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation: install and verify tooling, prepare the local target (`files in /home/student/lab-work`), execute the technique step-by-step, and collect evidence. Each walkthrough step produces a verifiable artifact (file, command output, or service state) that you will cite in your submission. ### Success criteria You have completed the lab when: - Tooling verification passes (`ls --version && getfacl --version` returns expected version without error) - Local target is running and responds (`curl -s http://127.0.0.1:8080/` or `dig @127.0.0.1` or `tshark -r` shows expected output) - `solution.md` in `lab-work` documents each step's exact command, raw output excerpt, and your interpretation (what the output proves) - All flag answers are direct values from your local output (e.g., version string, status code, IP, header name) and no external hosts were targeted (`history | grep -E "nmap|dig|tshark|openssl|nikto|curl"` shows only 127.0.0.1) Runtime mode: portable artifact validation

Objectives

  • 1Prepare workspace and verify tooling
  • 2Prepare local target for Kali Linux: Vulnerability Scanning & Exploitation
  • 3Harden file permissions
  • 4Manage users
  • 5Complete Script Writer
  • 6Complete Module Master
  • 7Tune and interpret
  • 8Compile and verify submission

Flags

Script Writer+300 pts

Submit the verifiable output value for Script Writer as produced by the local tool on 127.0.0.1 (e.g., version, status, IP, or header).

Module Master+250 pts

Submit the verifiable output value for Module Master as produced by the local tool on 127.0.0.1 (e.g., version, status, IP, or header).

Payload Crafter+250 pts

Submit the synthesized artifact value for Payload Crafter (e.g., IP 127.0.0.2 or zone name) as verified by dig or cat /etc/bind/.

Exploit Finder+200 pts

Submit the observed value for Exploit Finder from local tool output on 127.0.0.1 (e.g., status code, header name, or count).

DB Connected+100 pts

Submit the verifiable output value for DB Connected as produced by the local tool on 127.0.0.1 (e.g., version, status, IP, or header).