How Do Hackers Exploit Web Servers?

Introduction

Over 70% of Indian websites still run vulnerable Apache, Nginx, IIS, or Tomcat versions. One misconfiguration = full server takeover. Our 8,000+ placed students at Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies exploit these exact web server flaws legally every day in lab — then harden real client servers and earn ₹15–45 LPA at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, PhonePe, and banks.

Top 10 Web Server Exploitation Techniques Used in Real Attacks

1. Directory Traversal / LFI → /etc/passwd
2. Remote File Inclusion (RFI)
3. Server Misconfiguration (options indexing, verbose errors)
4. Outdated Software (Struts, Tomcat Ghostcat)
5. Deserialization Attacks (Java, PHP, Node.js)
6. Default Credentials & Weak Panels
7. IIS Short Filename Disclosure
8. Apache mod_cgi / mod_php Abuse
9. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
10. Log Poisoning → RCE

Master web server exploitation legally → Complete server hacking course

Apache & Nginx – The Most Common Targets

Exposed .htaccess, options indexing, symbolic link attacks, mod_ssl misconfig, userdir enabled, and vulnerable modules (mod_negotiation) give instant shell. Our students exploit 50+ Apache/Nginx boxes weekly using real client-like setups — exactly what red teams at Big4 find in every assessment. 

Windows IIS Server Exploitation Techniques

IIS 8.5 short filename disclosure (~filename), WebDAV PUT upload, unhandled .config files, and classic tilde enumeration lead to source code leak and RCE. We recreate every IIS version from 6.0 to 10 in lab so students practice real exploits used by attackers daily. 

Discover the ultimate web pentesting career path

Tomcat, Node.js & Java Application Servers

Ghostcat (CVE-2020-1938), default manager credentials, deserialization gadgets (ysoserial), WAR upload, and insecure file read give instant RCE. Our advanced students chain these with SSRF and log poisoning to get root — real techniques used in recent Indian bank breaches. 

Log Poisoning & File Inclusion Attacks

Attackers poison access.log with PHP code → LFI → RCE, or use RFI to include remote shell. We teach 20+ log poisoning variations (Apache, Nginx, IIS, SSH) and safe file inclusion testing — mandatory skills for every professional web pentester. 

How We Teach Web Server Exploitation

Every student gets: 100+ real web servers (Apache, Nginx, IIS, Tomcat, Node.js), licensed Burp Suite Pro, daily new vulnerabilities, weekly server takeover challenges, professional report writing, and mentorship from pentesters working at Deloitte, KPMG, and Indian banks. 

Career After Mastering Web Server Attacks

Students become Web Application Pentester, Red Teamer, Security Engineer at Deloitte, EY, PwC, Paytm, Razorpay, Zerodha, Indian banks with packages ₹15–45 LPA. Many clear OSCP web sections in first attempt and earn extra via bug bounty programs. 

See the future of server attacks → AI-powered web server exploitation

Conclusion

Web servers will always be the primary target. While criminals deface and ransom, our graduates protect and earn massive respect. Join Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies — India’s only institute with 100+ live web server exploitation lab. New batches start every Monday — Pune + 100% live online. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which web server is most vulnerable?

Apache + old PHP — still dominates India.

Is LFI still working?

Yes — daily in real pentests.

Can freshers learn web server hacking?

Yes — 90% of our students start from zero.

Do you provide real servers to hack?

Yes — 100+ live servers in lab.

Which institute teaches Tomcat Ghostcat?

Only Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha.

Salary after web server skills?

Freshers ₹15–45 LPA instantly.

Is Burp Suite provided?

Yes — licensed Pro for every student.

Next batch starting?

Every Monday — Pune + live online.

Do girls join web pentesting?

Yes — many top earners.

Is SSRF taught?

Yes — full module with labs.

Can I practice on Windows servers?

Yes — IIS 6 to 10 included.

Do you teach hardening?

Yes — after exploitation.

Is report writing included?

Yes — professional template + review.

100% placement?

Yes — written guarantee.

Free demo available?

Yes — every Saturday.