My TryHackMe Workflow for CTF Challenges

Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges on platforms like TryHackMe are brilliant for developing security instincts. However, randomly trying payloads without a clear methodology is a recipe for frustration. Over months of hacking, I’ve established a 4-step workflow that is repeatable and structured.

Phase 1: Active Reconnaissance & Port Scanning

First, run a comprehensive port scan to find entry points. I always start with an Nmap service scan to discover services and their versions:

nmap -sV -sC -T4 -oN nmap_report.txt [TARGET_IP]

Phase 2: Web & Directory Enumeration

If port 80 or 443 is open, search for hidden directories using Gobuster or GoBuster. Finding login panels or backup files (.zip, .bak) is often the key to initial access:

gobuster dir -u http://[TARGET_IP] -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt

Phase 3: Initial Exploitation

Look up public exploits for the service versions found in Phase 1 (using Searchsploit or Exploit-DB). If it’s a custom web app, manually test for forms vulnerable to command injection or file uploads.

Phase 4: Privilege Escalation

Once inside with a low-privilege shell, run automated tools like LinPEAS to scan for SUID binaries, exposed cron jobs, or kernel exploits. Understanding system administration and operating system fundamentals is critical here.