Web Application Penetration Tester eXtreme (eWPTXv3)
Last updated
Last updated
So, picture this: I’d just clawed my way through the eCPPT the day before, running on fumes and a prayer, and now I’m staring down the eWPTx. It’s got this big, bold "eXtreme" label plastered on it, which had me sweating a little. I mean, "eXtreme" sounds like I should be scaling a mountain or fighting off a shark, not poking at web apps. But after skimming the notes, titles only, it looked manageable. I decided to ride the dopamine high from passing the eCPPT and jump right in. Let’s do this.
This time, I was slightly less of a zombie. Six hours of sleep (a personal record!) and a midday start at 12 PM. Spoiler: It took me 9 hours total, with breaks to eat, hop into a quick meeting, and remind my legs they still work. Way better than the 15-hour eCPPT slog.
If the eCPPT and eWPTx were siblings, they’d share the same DNA. Here’s the rundown:
18-hour marathon: 45 questions, a mix of MCQs and hands-on challenges. Same deal as before (eCPTTv3).
Instant Gratification: Submit your answers, and boom, pass or fail, right then and there. No nail-biting wait times.
Browser-accessed Kali machine: Worked like a charm. Progress saves if you close the tab, but restarting the lab? Total reset. Plan accordingly.
No internet access: Yep, no apt-get install to save you. You’re stuck copy-pasting scripts like it’s 1999 and you’re on dial-up. To be honest, you don't even need anything that's not there.
Scattered questions: Questions for the same target are sprinkled throughout (Q1, Q30, Q45…). Pro tip: Read everything first. I did, and it saved my sanity.
Pretty much a carbon copy of the eCPPT setup. Familiar territory, just with a web pentesting twist.
Reviews for the eWPTx v3 are scarce online, so I had limited guidance going in.
Did I crack open the INE material? Nope. Instead, I leaned hard on my prior adventures: the Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS) path on HackTheBox, 50+ boxes from HackTheBox and Proving Grounds, and 20-30 PortSwigger labs. That’s my web pentesting street cred right there. I skimmed the slides, glanced at the labs, and called it good. Dopamine was my co-pilot.
Although most of my knowledge came from CPTS and the portswigger labs I tackled, some topics weren’t covered in the HTB CPTS path. These include:
LDAP Injection
Deserialization Attacks
Introduction to NoSQL Injection
API Attacks
These sections from HTB (or their equivalents on TryHackMe) will do the job. Since they’re Tier 3 modules and my subscription only covers Tier 2, I gave the INE labs and videos a quick look instead. I recommend you go through these resources more thoroughly, especially the HTB modules.
Another gem is PortSwigger, which is excellent for practice. While HTB CPTS is great for learning, PortSwigger labs are perfect for both learning and getting hands-on experience.
Here’s a list of tools I remember using during the test (my memory’s a bit fuzzy, but these stood out):
CVSS Calculator: Any online version works fine for scoring vulnerabilities.
nmap: For scanning ports and services.
BurpSuite: A must for web app testing.
SQLMap: Automating SQL injection tasks.
Curl: Handy for crafting HTTP requests.
hashcat: For cracking hashes.
ffuf: Fuzzing directories and parameters.
john: Another solid option for password cracking.
The exam was… surprisingly chill? I was braced for some next-level, "eXtreme" web vuln madness, but it felt more like a victory lap. There were even some general-knowledge questions that screamed, "Just Google it!". Most of the challenges were stuff I’d tackled before in my HackTheBox and PortSwigger days. If this is "eXtreme," I’m terrified to see how basic the regular eWPT must be.
Keep in mind that this test is designed to be finished in way less than 18 hours. If you encounter a large website, after checking the basics (ports, directories, etc.), try researching online for CVEs. It’ll most likely point you in the right direction and save you time.
Same old headaches from the eCPPT popped up:
Limited tools: The Kali machine is missing some of my go-to toys, and you can’t use your own setup. Deal with it.
No internet access: No downloading that one script you forgot. Copy-paste or bust.
Port mystery: One question mentioned a service on a specific port that just… wasn’t open. I triple-checked, nothing. Bug? Sneaky bypass I missed? No clue. I flagged it in the feedback for INE and moved on. Only two questions tripped me up, thanks to that closed port. Otherwise, smooth sailing.
SQL Injection All the Way: SQL Injection is one of the stars of this exam. Master it, know the ins and outs, from basic injections to more advanced techniques.
Not Much Enumeration, But Keep Nmap Handy: I went in expecting to enumerate subdomains and hidden directories, but it’s not that kind of test. Still, basic nmap skills are essential to check open ports and get a lay of the land, so keep those sharp.
Know About JWT: JSON Web Tokens (JWT) pop up, so understand how they work, how they’re used, and how they can be exploited.
Watch for Cracking Techniques: Cracking skills will come in handy, so stay ready to break some hashes or passwords when the opportunity arises.
For learning, the HTB Academy is quite amazing. If you’re a student, you can get access to all Tier 2 modules for just $8 a month, which sets you up perfectly for the Certified Bug Bounty Hunter (CBBH) path. I think that’s an incredible deal for the quality you’re getting.
PortSwigger is also top-tier and it’s free! Both the labs and the content are top-notch, making it a fantastic resource for anyone looking to dive into web security.
I took the eWPTx certificate mainly for the magic letters on my CV. It’s as simple as that!
