How I Hacked into a Corporate Database (Ethically)

Disclaimer: This demonstration was performed under strict authorization as part of an internal security assessment. All testing was carried out in a controlled environment using approved methods. The vulnerabilities discussed below were exploited solely for the purpose of strengthening security.

In this blog post, I reveal how my advanced penetration testing tool enabled me to compromise a corporate database—accessing sensitive internal systems and data. I and my team were granted permission to assess the security of a company’s critical API, and our testing uncovered multiple vulnerabilities that could have been exploited by malicious actors. In this demonstration, I showcase a suite of advanced commands that simulate real-world attacks.

Below, I explain the techniques used and describe each command my tool executed during the assessment.

Understanding the Target: Corporate API Security Assessment

As part of an authorized security engagement, I was tasked with assessing the security of the client's critical API. My objective was to uncover vulnerabilities that a malicious attacker might exploit, thereby demonstrating the importance of continuous security evaluation.

The vulnerabilities I targeted included:

• SQL Injection: Bypassing authentication and extracting sensitive records.

• Command Injection: Running unauthorized commands on the system.

• Arbitrary Code Execution (Eval Vulnerability): Exploiting unsafe code evaluation to execute arbitrary scripts.

• Path Traversal (File Read): Gaining access to restricted files containing confidential data.

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting harmful JavaScript into the web interface.

• Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): Manipulating the server to initiate unauthorized internal requests.

• Privileged Configuration Access: Leveraging administrative credentials to access sensitive configuration details.

Tools and Environment Used

1. Corporate API: (acme_api.py)

I tested an API provided by the client. The API looked secured but I was wrong.

Advanced Penetration Testing Script (attack_script.py)

To streamline my testing, I created an advanced attacker tool that automated a variety of sophisticated penetration testing techniques. Its functionalities included:

• login: Advanced SQL injection for authentication bypass.

• search: SQL injection to extract internal data.

• command: Command injection with randomized payloads.

• eval: Arbitrary code execution exploits via unsafe eval().

• read: File read/path traversal to exfiltrate confidential information.

• xss: Injection of malicious JavaScript payloads.

• config: Accessing privileged API endpoints with valid credentials.

• ssrf: Exploiting SSRF to trigger internal network requests.

• help: Comprehensive help interface explaining each feature clearly.

Detailed Breakdown: Executing the Ethical Hacks

Step 1: Deploying the Target API

I initiated the assessment by deploying the provided vulnerable API (acme_api.py).

Step 2: Preparing attack script

I had to configure the attack script to also look for file inclusion vulnerabilities to read exposed files.

Step 3: Launching the Exploits

Using my customized penetration testing toolkit (attack_script.py), I systematically executed multiple attacks to demonstrate various vulnerabilities:

Authentication Bypass (SQL Injection):

Exploited SQL injection on the login to bypass user authentication:

Data Extraction via Search Endpoint (SQL Injection):

Injected SQL payloads to access all stored user records:

Command Injection for System Access:

Executed unauthorized system commands through the vulnerable endpoint:

Arbitrary Code Execution via Eval:

Used unsafe eval() to run arbitrary code remotely:

File Read/Path Traversal Attack:

Accessed the sensitive file goodies.txt, retrieving simulated confidential information:

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Demonstration:

Injected malicious JavaScript payloads into the web interface to simulate a client-side attack:

Privileged Configuration Endpoint Exploitation:

Using credentials previously obtained, I accessed restricted configuration information:

Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Exploit:

Forced the server to make internal network requests, illustrating potential pivoting opportunities:

Displaying Tool Capabilities:

Finally, showcased the full tool functionality clearly and concisely:

Each attack was executed methodically, demonstrating the real-world sophistication of an advanced threat actor within controlled and ethical boundaries.

Key Conclusion

This authorized penetration test revealed several high-risk vulnerabilities within the corporate API, demonstrating clear avenues that attackers could exploit. Issues such as SQL Injection, Command Injection, Arbitrary Code Execution, XSS, and SSRF significantly elevated the organization's risk profile.

If you have questions or would like further clarification on the techniques demonstrated in this ethical hacking case study, please leave a comment or reach out directly.

Happy Hacking (Ethically and Responsibly)!