Kioptrix Level 1

About this target

Kioptrix Level 1 is where a huge number of people cut their teeth. It is a small Linux VM running a handful of services that were already old when the box was built, which makes it a clean lesson in the loop that never changes: enumerate everything, read the version numbers, match one to a public exploit, and use it. No trick puzzles, just discipline and attention to detail.

Your two objectives here: get a foothold and read the user flag (user), then land a root shell and read the root flag (root).

The loop

1. Find the target on your network.
2. Map every open port and identify each service and version.
3. Turn the weakest, oldest service into a shell (user).
4. Confirm your privilege level and escalate to root (root).

Work it yourself first. The hints are here when you are genuinely stuck, and each one costs points, so earn them.