Learn Hacking by Actually Hacking

Difficulty

Easy

Vuln class

Security Misconfiguration / Debug Mode Exposure

Steps

// Objective

Discover exposed debug endpoints and misconfigured routes on CryptoBurner's exchange platform to retrieve secrets and the flag.

// Tools required

Browsercurlffuf

// Step-by-step walkthrough

Browse the application normally

Open the CryptoBurner exchange. It looks like a standard crypto trading platform. Your goal is to find endpoints that should not be accessible in production.

⚑ Misconfigurations are often invisible on the surface. You need to probe for hidden routes, debug panels, and exposed configuration.

Look for common debug endpoints

Many frameworks expose debug or admin endpoints by default that developers forget to disable before going live. Try common paths.

Command / Input

curl http://target.lab/debug curl http://target.lab/console curl http://target.lab/admin curl http://target.lab/env curl http://target.lab/config

Output

GET /debug → 200 OK {"debug":true,"environment":"production","DB_PASSWORD":"hunter2","SECRET_KEY":"dev-secret-123","FLAG":"HackrGG{m1sc0nf1g_3xp0s3d_s3cr3ts}"}

⚑ Debug mode was left on in production. The /debug endpoint dumps the entire application environment including secrets.

Retrieve the flag

The flag is in the debug endpoint JSON response.

Output

HackrGG{m1sc0nf1g_3xp0s3d_s3cr3ts}

⚑ In a real breach this endpoint would also expose database credentials, API keys for payment processors, and internal service hostnames.

// Flag

Flag value

HackrGG{m1sc0nf1g_3xp0s3d_s3cr3ts}

Found in the /debug endpoint response left enabled in production.

Exchange Platform — CryptoBurner