eWPTX Cert Experiment
Passed INE eWPTXv3 in 7 hours (out of 18).
Lab reset once. No XXE or SSTI. Strong emphasis on JWT, SQLi, NoSQLi, deserialization, and CVE exploitation.
Below: exam details, my preparation method, and professional tips for success.
1. Exam Information
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Duration | 18 hours |
| Format | 45 questions (theory + practical) |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Environment | Kali Linux VM via Apache Guacamole (in-browser RDP) |
| Internet Access | None — fully offline |
| Lab Environment | NovaPay Technologies staging (web apps, APIs, databases) |
| Flags | Dynamic, unique per session — lab reset does not invalidate flags |
| Official Focus Areas | CVEs, JWT, APIs, SQLi/NoSQLi, SSTI, XXE, deserialization, cryptography |
Official INE Page
Letter of Engagement
My Exam: No XXE or SSTI.
Core Vulnerabilities: JWT forgery, API abuse, SQLi → deserialization RCE, CVE-based privilege escalation.
2. My Preparation — Focused, Syllabus-Driven Study
No INE course or paid labs were used.
I studied every vulnerability listed in the official syllabus using free, high-quality resources.
Preparation Method
- Reviewed the official eWPTX syllabus and listed all vulnerability types:
- SQL Injection
- NoSQL Injection
- JWT Manipulation
- XXE
- SSTI
- Deserialization
- File Upload Vulnerabilities
- API Security
- CVE Exploitation
- Cryptographic Weaknesses
Completed all relevant labs on PortSwigger Web Security Academy
Interactive, exam-style challenges with immediate feedback.- Practiced real-world exploitation on HackTheBox
Targeted machines with public CVEs and complex web attack chains.
Learned exploit modification, shell stabilization, and post-exploitation.
3. Professional Tips for Success
- Approach the exam with confidence — this was my first certification; preparation matters more than experience.
- You are granted two attempts — use the first to learn the environment if needed.
- The exam is easier than a real engagement.
- Prioritize mastery of CVE exploitation, API security, and JWT manipulation — these appear frequently.
- Answers are case-sensitive — a single incorrect character or trailing space will mark your submission as wrong.
- Perform full Nmap scans on all targets — provides critical version and service data for recon questions.
- Use only the wordlists provided in the Letter of Engagement — they are optimized for the exam.
- Some questions are intentionally tricky — verify your findings and double-check submissions before finalizing.
“And whoever fears Allah — He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
“ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسب”
— Qur’an 65:2–3