Web Server Hacking and Security: Offensive and Defensive Techniques

Description:

This 3 day training  is designed for ethical hackers, security professionals, and IT administrators who want to delve deeper into web server security. Participants will explore the attack surface of web servers, focusing on methods attackers use to compromise web servers and the mitigation strategies needed to prevent those attacks. Through practical exercises and hands-on labs, learners will analyze web server configurations, identify weaknesses, and implement various security measures to harden the web environment. Topics covered include automated attacks, DNS-based attacks, session management vulnerabilities, and advanced firewall configuration. The bootcamp will also examine cutting-edge trends like serverless architecture vulnerabilities and the role of AI in server security.

Duration:3  Days

Course Code: BDT381

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the role of misconfigurations in web server compromises.
• Use advanced tools to detect, exploit, and defend against web server vulnerabilities.
• Analyze emerging serverless architecture vulnerabilities.
• Implement layered security measures to protect web infrastructure.

• Basic Understanding of Networking, Basic Knowledge of Operating Systems, Introduction to Cybersecurity Concepts.

• Aspiring ethical hackers, IT Security professionals, Cybersecurity professionals, Web Application Developers.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Foundations of Web Server Security

• Understanding Web Server Architecture
  • Differences between physical, virtual, and cloud-based servers.
  • Overview of serverless architecture and associated vulnerabilities.
• Threat Landscape in 2024
  • Evolving web server attack trends.
  • Introduction to automated and bot-based attacks.
• Common Attack Vectors
  • Session management flaws.
  • DNS poisoning and hijacking.
  • Attacks against SSL/TLS and HTTPS.

Module 2: Advanced Information Gathering

• Automated Reconnaissance
  • Tools for large-scale scanning (Shodan, Censys).
  • Identifying outdated server software and exposed services.
• Analyzing Web Server Headers
  • Extracting server information.
  • Identifying security misconfigurations in headers (e.g., X-Frame-Options, Content Security Policy).
• Fingerprinting SSL/TLS Configurations
  • SSL Labs scanning.
  • Analyzing weak ciphers and deprecated protocols.

Module 3: Exploiting Web Server Weaknesses

• Session Management and Cookie Exploits
  • Session fixation attacks.
  • Securing cookies: HttpOnly, Secure, and SameSite flags.
• DNS-Based Attacks
  • DNS rebinding attacks.
  • DNS spoofing and cache poisoning.
• Exploiting Serverless Architectures
  • Analyzing vulnerabilities in FaaS (Function as a Service).
  • Exploiting misconfigured APIs and event-driven attacks.
• Custom Vulnerability Discovery
  • Writing custom exploits for rare server configurations.
  • Using fuzzing techniques to discover hidden vulnerabilities.

Module 4: Post-Exploitation Techniques

• Maintaining Persistence
  • Installing persistent web shells.
  • Creating malicious cron jobs.
• Privilege Escalation on Web Servers
  • Escalating privileges via file uploads and misconfigured sudo.
  • Bypassing restricted shells.
• Exfiltration and Obfuscation Techniques
  • Encoding data for exfiltration (Base64, URL encoding).
  • Hiding malicious activities in server logs.

Module 5: Web Server Defense Strategies

• Firewall and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
  • Advanced WAF configurations.
  • Implementing reverse proxy security (Nginx as reverse proxy).
• Monitoring and Logging for Attack Detection
  • Utilizing SIEM solutions for continuous monitoring.
  • Log correlation for early detection of intrusions.
• Defending Serverless Architectures
  • Securing APIs and data flows.
  • Implementing function-level access control.
• Emerging Trends in Web Server Defense
  • Use of AI and machine learning in intrusion detection.
  • Implementing zero-trust architecture on web servers.

Module 6: Case Studies and Ethical Considerations

• Real-World Case Studies
  • Analyzing recent server breaches (SolarWinds, GitHub).
  • Understanding how small misconfigurations led to major breaches.
• Ethical Hacking Principles
  • Legal boundaries in web server testing.
  • Best practices for responsible vulnerability disclosure.

Training Material Provided:
Yes (Digital format)