OSCP: My November 2022 SESC Experience

Nov 7, 2025 by SLV Team 47 views

Hey guys! Let's dive into my OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) journey from November 2022. It was a wild ride, and I'm stoked to share my experience, the hurdles I faced, and the things that helped me finally get that coveted certification. I know a lot of you are prepping for the exam, so I hope my story gives you some valuable insights and maybe even a chuckle or two. This is my OSCP November 2022 SESC review, geared towards helping you succeed!

The Preparation Phase: Building the Foundation for OSCP Success

Before diving into the exam itself, let's talk prep. This phase is super crucial, and trust me, skimping here will make the exam way harder. I spent a good chunk of time on the PEN-200 course, which is the official course offered by Offensive Security. The course covers a ton of stuff, including Kali Linux, buffer overflows, Active Directory, web application security, and privilege escalation. Seriously, these are your bread and butter, so get familiar with them!

My initial approach involved methodically working through the course materials, lab exercises and OSCP labs. I made sure to take detailed notes. I'm talking screenshots, commands, explanations – the works! I created a dedicated note-taking system (I used OneNote) to organize all my findings. This system became my go-to reference during the exam. During the course, I spent a lot of time on buffer overflows and Active Directory exploitation. These were a bit challenging at first, but with persistence, I managed to get a good grip on them. For buffer overflows, I spent a lot of time setting up the environment, understanding the concepts, and practicing different scenarios. It's like learning a new language, but instead of words, you're dealing with memory addresses and assembly code. But it's super important to understand them well because they are a key part of the OSCP exam and they really test your skills. For Active Directory, I made sure to understand the basics of the domain and forest concepts, the relationship between domain controllers and how to compromise user accounts. I also practiced different techniques to escalate privileges. Believe me, the labs are invaluable when it comes to hands-on experience and that’s why you should spend as much time as possible in the OSCP labs environment.

Then came the OSCP labs. Oh man, the labs! They are a beast, but in a good way. The labs simulate a real-world network environment, which is excellent for practical skills. I spent a lot of time in the labs, working through the different machines, and trying to compromise them. I initially felt overwhelmed, but then I started approaching each machine with a systematic methodology. I created a checklist based on the course materials, and I used it to guide my approach. The checklist included things like information gathering, vulnerability scanning, and exploitation. Once I understood the process, it became much easier to tackle the machines. I also made sure to document everything. When I successfully compromised a machine, I would document the process. Then I would note down the tools I used, the commands I ran, the vulnerabilities I exploited, and the steps I took to escalate privileges. This documentation was super valuable when it came to the exam. Another tip is to search for resources online, like walkthroughs and writeups, but don't just copy and paste! Try to understand the concepts behind each step. I found that I learned a lot more by trying to understand what the walkthrough authors were doing and why they were doing it. This allowed me to learn how to solve problems and adapt to new situations. Make sure to also get familiar with the Kali Linux distribution. Kali is packed with tools for penetration testing and it is also the official OS for the OSCP labs. Understand the tool's use cases, and how to effectively use them during your exam.

Finally, make sure to take breaks and avoid burnout. OSCP can be demanding and it's essential to take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep. This will help you stay focused and motivated. I also made sure to have some fun. I went out with friends, watched movies, and did other things that I enjoyed. This helped me to recharge and come back to the labs with fresh energy.

Tackling the OSCP Exam: A Battle of Skill and Perseverance

Alright, so the day of the exam arrived. My heart was pounding, and I was a bit nervous, but also excited to put my skills to the test. The OSCP exam is a 24-hour penetration test with a 24-hour report writing period. The exam involves compromising several machines in a simulated network environment. Your goal is to get root or system access on as many machines as possible and provide proof of your successful penetration testing efforts through documentation. You'll be tested on everything from information gathering to privilege escalation, including Active Directory and web application security. It is a grueling test of your knowledge, skills, and, most importantly, your ability to think critically under pressure. It's not just about knowing the tools; it's about understanding how they work and how to apply them to different scenarios. This is where my preparation paid off.

The first thing I did when the exam started was to take a deep breath and read the instructions carefully. Then, I set up my environment. I made sure that all my tools were installed and configured correctly. I also created a checklist. It included things like information gathering, vulnerability scanning, and exploitation. Next, I started gathering information about the target machines. I used tools like nmap to scan for open ports and services, dirb and gobuster to identify web directories, and searchsploit to look for known vulnerabilities. I then started exploiting the vulnerabilities I identified. This involved using tools like Metasploit, exploitdb, and custom scripts. I made sure to document every step of the process. I made screenshots of my actions, and took notes on the commands I ran and the results I obtained. This documentation was essential when it came to writing my report. After a few hours, I had root access on a few machines. I was able to escalate my privileges to root, and I was also able to compromise a domain controller. This was a significant achievement. I felt like I was doing well, but I knew I still had a long way to go. I made sure to take regular breaks. I got up, stretched, and walked around. I also ate healthy snacks and drank plenty of water. This helped me to stay focused and motivated. The exam isn’t just about hacking; it’s about writing a professional report. You will have to provide a detailed explanation of your findings in your report to successfully pass the exam. Don't underestimate the importance of documentation!

I encountered several challenges during the exam. Some machines were more difficult than others, and I had to spend a lot of time troubleshooting. I also struggled with some of the privilege escalation techniques. But I didn't give up. I kept working on the machines, and I eventually managed to compromise all of them. After the 24-hour penetration test, I had 24 hours to write a report. This report is a crucial part of the exam, and it must document all your actions and findings in a clear and concise manner. I spent most of the 24 hours writing the report. I made sure that the report was well-organized, and that it included all the information I needed to provide. I took breaks to rest and clear my head. This helped me to stay focused and avoid making mistakes. And, after submitting the report, I waited for the results, which felt like an eternity!

Tools of the Trade: My Favorite Resources for OSCP

Kali Linux: The go-to operating system. Make sure you're comfortable navigating it. Get familiar with the tools and how to use them to your advantage.
Pen-testing Tools: Learn to use these, understand their functions, and know when to apply them for maximum impact! Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Wireshark are some of the essentials. Make sure you are comfortable with them. Practice!
Exploit Databases: Familiarize yourself with exploit-db and other resources. Searchsploit on Kali is your friend. They offer a ton of information about exploits and vulnerabilities.
Community Forums: There are tons of online communities where people share tips, tricks, and solutions.

Tips and Tricks for OSCP Success

Practice, Practice, Practice: Get your hands dirty in the labs. The more hands-on experience, the better. Try to compromise as many machines as possible.
Learn to Document: Document everything! Take screenshots, write down commands, and note down your steps. This will make writing the exam report much easier.
Master the Fundamentals: Solid understanding of the basics is essential. It's the building block of everything else. This includes networking concepts, Linux command-line, and basic programming.
Don't Panic: The exam can be intense. But stay calm, take breaks, and approach each machine systematically.
Stay Focused: Avoid distractions. Set up a dedicated workspace and stay focused on the task at hand.
Take Breaks: Don't work non-stop. Take regular breaks to stretch, eat, and clear your head.
Read the Exam Guide Carefully: Pay close attention to the exam rules and guidelines. You don't want to get penalized for something silly.

Conclusion: My OSCP Journey and Lessons Learned

Passing the OSCP exam was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It was a challenging but amazing journey. I learned a ton about penetration testing, ethical hacking, and cyber security. If you're studying for your OSCP, I hope my story gives you some encouragement. Remember to stay focused, keep learning, and never give up. Good luck, and happy hacking!