Offensive Security Web Assessor (OSWA) Study Notes PDF
What is OSWA?
The Offensive Security Web Assessor (OSWA) is a certification exam offered by Offensive Security (OffSec), focusing on identifying and exploiting web application vulnerabilities. The OSWA certification validates a professional’s ability to conduct in-depth web application penetration testing and apply real-world offensive security skills.
Overview of the OSWA Exam
- Certification Name: Offensive Security Web Assessor (OSWA)
- Prerequisite Course: OffSec Web Expert (WEB-200)
- Exam Duration: 23 hours and 45 minutes
- Exam Format: Hands-on, practical, and proctored
- Passing Score: Typically 80 points out of 100 (subject to change)
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Retake Policy: Requires re-purchase if failed
Skills Tested in the OSWA Exam
The exam tests candidates on identifying, exploiting, and understanding the impact of real-world web vulnerabilities, including:
Advanced Exploitation Techniques
Information Gathering and Reconnaissance
Input Validation Vulnerabilities (SQLi, XSS, CSRF)
Authentication and Session Management Flaws
Business Logic Vulnerabilities
File Upload Exploits
Server-Side Vulnerabilities (RCE, SSRF, SSTI)
Web Misconfigurations
OSWA Exam Structure
- Multiple web applications are provided, each with varying complexity.
- Each exploited vulnerability awards a specific number of points.
- Vulnerabilities can range from common flaws to complex, multi-stage exploits.
- Candidates must submit proof-of-exploitation (usually flags) for scoring.
- A comprehensive exam report detailing the exploitation process is required.
OSWA Exam Report Requirements
To pass the OSWA exam, you must submit a detailed report that includes:
- Methodology and step-by-step exploitation.
- Screenshots and evidence of flag captures.
- Explanations of the vulnerabilities and their impact.
- Proof of gaining access to sensitive resources or systems.
Professionalism and clarity in the report are essential for scoring.
Who Should Take OSWA?
- Web Application Penetration Testers
- Bug Bounty Hunters
- Security Analysts and Consultants
- Developers seeking security knowledge
OSWA Exam Tips
- Time Management: Allocate time per application and avoid getting stuck.
- Documentation: Document every step during the exam for the report.
- Manual Testing: Focus on manual exploitation rather than automated tools.
- Report Writing: Start writing the report as you progress, not at the end.
- Rest Well: Ensure you’re mentally prepared for the nearly 24-hour exam.
OSWA Study Notes
Table of Contents:
- About The Exam
- Preparation & Exam Tips
- Tools
- XSS
- Cross-Origin Attacks
- SQL
- XML External Entities
- SSTI
- SSRF
- IDOR
Page Count: 136
Format: PDF & Markup
How to Get OSWA Study Notes?
You can buy the booklet directly by clicking on the button below
After you buy the booklet, you will be able to download the PDF booklet along with the markup files if you want to import them to Obsidian software.
Free OSWA Training
Checkout the playlist below on my YouTube channel for free Web Application Penetration Testing training.
Conclusion
The OSWA exam is a rigorous, hands-on certification that proves your expertise in identifying and exploiting web application vulnerabilities. It is ideal for security professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of web exploitation and demonstrate their penetration testing skills.
