RootMe CTF Writeup: A Step-by-Step Guide
RootMe CTF Writeup: A Step-by-Step Guide
This writeup details the process of solving the RootMe CTF challenge available on TryHackMe. We'll cover key steps and techniques involved in successfully completing this challenge.
Initial Reconnaissance: Network Scanning
The first step in any penetration testing engagement is reconnaissance. We begin by scanning the target IP address using nmap. This helps us identify open ports and services running on the target machine.
The nmap scan reveals two open ports: port 80 (HTTP) and port 22 (SSH). This gives us two potential avenues to explore.
Identifying the Apache Version
Having identified the HTTP service running on port 80, the next step is to determine the version of Apache web server in use. We can achieve this by attempting to access a non-existent directory on the web server. For instance, trying to access http://10.10.253.225/anything often reveals the server's version information in the error message.
Examining the error message returned by the server allows us to identify the specific Apache version. This information is crucial for further exploitation, as certain vulnerabilities are version-specific.
SSH and Further Exploitation
Our initial nmap scan also identified an SSH service running on port 22. This port provides a possible entry point into the system. However, the exact steps needed to compromise this system depend heavily on what vulnerabilities are present in the identified Apache web server version or whether other services are running that are not immediately visible via a standard port scan. Further investigation would be needed to determine the next steps.
Conclusion
This writeup provides a basic outline for tackling the RootMe CTF challenge. Remember that successful penetration testing requires a systematic approach, combining reconnaissance, vulnerability identification, and exploitation techniques. Always prioritize ethical considerations and obtain proper authorization before conducting any security assessments against systems you do not own.
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