spoiler-free hints for web exploitation challenges.

what web ctf challenges look like

web CTF challenges give you a URL, source code, or both. the goal is usually to read a flag file, gain admin access, or exploit a server-side vulnerability. common categories include SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), server-side template injection (SSTI), local file inclusion (LFI), SSRF, insecure direct object references (IDOR), and command injection.

common web challenge types

• SQL injectionclassic error-based, blind boolean, time-based — look for input fields that touch a database. test with a single quote.
• XSSreflected, stored, DOM-based — look for unsanitized user input rendered back in the page. try <script>alert(1)</script>.
• LFI / RFIfile inclusion via path traversal — look for file parameters like ?page= or ?include=. try ../../../etc/passwd.
• SSRFserver-side request forgery — look for URL parameters the server fetches. target internal services like http://localhost/.
• SSTItemplate injection — test with {{7*7}} or ${7*7} or <%= 7*7 %> in input fields depending on the framework.
• IDORinsecure direct object reference — look for predictable IDs in URLs or API calls. try changing /api/user/1 to /api/user/2.
• command injectionlook for inputs that pass user data to shell commands. test with ; id or | whoami.
• prototype pollutionlook for object merge or clone operations in JavaScript. test with __proto__[admin]=true in JSON bodies.

how hints work for web challenges

describe your challenge — the URL, what the app does, what you've already tried. CTF Helper gives you a nudge first (what class of vulnerability to look for), then a technique hint (specific approach or tool), then a near-solution hint (exact steps without the flag). you choose when to go deeper.