This skills assessment on Hack The Box (HTB) typically tests your ability to use fuzzing tools to discover hidden content, subdomains, and parameters on a target web application. Since you're looking for a "text" (likely a walkthrough or a summary of the methodology), here is a structured guide on how to approach the assessment using tools like ffuf , wfuzz , or gobuster . 1. Directory & File Fuzzing Your first goal is to map out the web server’s structure. You want to find hidden directories or files that aren't linked on the main page. The Goal: Find administrative panels, backups (like .bak , .old ), or configuration files. Key Command (ffuf): ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt -u http:// : /FUZZ Pro Tip: Always fuzz for extensions (e.g., -e .php,.html,.txt ) to find functional scripts. 2. Subdomain & VHost Discovery Sometimes the "flag" or the vulnerability is hidden on a different virtual host (like ://target.com or ://target.com ). VHost Fuzzing: Since you often don't have DNS control in HTB labs, you fuzz the Host Header . Key Command: ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/seclists/Discovery/DNS/subdomains-top1million-5000.txt -u http://target.htb -H "Host: FUZZ.target.htb" Filtering: Use -fs [size] to filter out "Default" page sizes that clutter your results. 3. Parameter Fuzzing (GET/POST) Once you find a page (like config.php ), it might be expecting a parameter you don't know about (e.g., ?file= or ?id= ). The Goal: Identify parameters that could lead to Local File Inclusion (LFI) or IDOR. Key Command: ffuf -w /usr/share/wordlists/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/burp-parameter-names.txt -u http:// /page.php?FUZZ=test -fs [size] 4. Recursive Fuzzing If you find a directory called /api , you should immediately fuzz inside that directory. ffuf flag: Use -recursion and -recursion-depth 2 to automate this. Summary Checklist for the Assessment: Identify the Target: Add the IP to your /etc/hosts file if a domain name is provided. Basic Scan: Run a quick directory fuzz to find the "entry point." VHost Check: Always check for subdomains if the main page looks like a dead end. Parameter Hunting: If you find a page that does nothing, fuzz for hidden parameters. Are you stuck on a specific question or flag within the assessment, or did you need a deeper explanation of the ffuf filters ?

The Hack The Box (HTB) Skills Assessment for Web Fuzzing is a practical capstone for the Attacking Web Applications with Ffuf module. It requires a systematic application of directory discovery, VHost identification, and parameter fuzzing to uncover hidden flags. 1. Understanding the Objective The assessment tests your ability to use ffuf (Fuzz Faster U Fool) to map an application's hidden attack surface. Success relies on choosing the correct wordlists—typically from SecLists —and applying filters to remove "noise" like common 403 or 404 responses. 2. Core Methodology & Techniques Directory and File Discovery Begin by identifying the base structure of the web server. Unlike standard reconnaissance, you must often use recursion to find nested directories like /admin/ and then fuzz within those for specific file types. Command Example: ffuf -w common.txt -u http:// : /FUZZ -recursion Refinement: If you hit a 403 Forbidden on a directory, don't stop. Fuzz for extensions (e.g., .php , .php7 , .html ) within that directory to find accessible pages like panel.php . Virtual Host (VHost) Fuzzing Servers often host multiple sites on one IP using Virtual Hosts. The assessment frequently requires discovering these by fuzzing the Host header. Command: ffuf -w subdomains.txt -u http:// : / -H 'Host: FUZZ.academy.htb' -fs Crucial Step: Once a VHost like admin.academy.htb is found, you must add it to your /etc/hosts file to interact with it through a browser or further tools. Parameter Fuzzing (GET and POST) Once you find a hidden page, it may require specific parameters to function. You will use ffuf to discover both parameter names and their valid values. GET Parameter Fuzzing: ffuf -w parameters.txt -u http://admin.academy.htb: /admin.php?FUZZ=key POST Parameter Fuzzing: If GET fails, try POST by specifying the data flag: -X POST -d 'FUZZ=value' . 3. Key Assessment Tasks & Solutions HTB Academy Skills Assessment -Web Fuzzing | by Demacia

Mastering the HTB Skills Assessment: A Deep Dive into Web Fuzzing Hack The Box (HTB) has revolutionized cybersecurity training by moving beyond theoretical multiple-choice questions into hands-on, live-labs. Among the most daunting yet critical modules for aspiring penetration testers and bug bounty hunters is the Web Fuzzing section, culminating in the infamous HTB Skills Assessment . If you have reached the "Web Fuzzing" skills assessment, you have moved past the basics of SQLi and XSS. You are now entering the world of automated discovery—where hidden directories, backup files, virtual hosts, and parameter injection become your primary attack vectors. This article will serve as your ultimate guide. We will dissect the methodology, tools, and mindset required to not just pass the assessment, but to master web fuzzing as a discipline.

Part 1: What is Web Fuzzing (In the Context of HTB)? Before typing ffuf or gobuster , you must understand why HTB places such heavy emphasis on fuzzing. Web fuzzing is the art of automated brute-forcing. Instead of guessing passwords, you are guessing:

Directories & Files: admin.php , backup.zip , .git/HEAD . Parameters: ?id=1 , ?debug=true , ?file=index . Virtual Hosts: admin.internal.htb , dev.target.com . Values: IDOR vulnerabilities (e.g., ?user_id=1001 -> 1002 ).

In the HTB ecosystem, the "Skills Assessment" is a purposefully vulnerable machine or web application. It combines multiple fuzzing techniques into a single narrative. You cannot pass it by running a single wordlist. You need a fuzzing workflow .

Part 2: The Essential Toolchain The HTB Skills Assessment expects you to be comfortable with command-line tools. While dirb and wfuzz are classics, the modern standard is ffuf (Fuzz Faster U Fool). We will focus on ffuf due to its speed, flexibility, and MATCH/FILTER logic. Install ffuf (if you haven't): sudo apt install ffuf -y # Or from source: go get github.com/ffuf/ffuf

Critical Wordlists (Seclists): HTB often provides a small wordlist, but real success requires the SecLists repository. sudo apt install seclists -y # Located in /usr/share/seclists/

Key lists for the assessment:

Discovery/Web-Content/common.txt Discovery/Web-Content/directory-list-2.3-medium.txt Discovery/Web-Content/burp-parameter-names.txt Discovery/DNS/subdomains-top1million-5000.txt

Part 3: The Three Phases of the HTB Fuzzing Assessment Most HTB Skills Assessments for web fuzzing follow a predictable three-act structure. Recognizing which phase you are in is 50% of the solution. Phase 1: Directory & File Fuzzing (The Low-Hanging Fruit) The assessment typically starts with an exposed web server (e.g., http://10.10.10.x ). Your first task: Find the hidden entry point. The Command: ffuf -u http://target.htb/FUZZ -w /usr/share/seclists/Discovery/Web-Content/common.txt

What to look for: