Part 4: Hacking DarkHaven (Full Network) - Hack Smarter Labs
Source: YouTube · Tyler Ramsbey - Hack Smarter · published Apr 8, 2026 · 22:26
This video continues the Dark Haven range penetration test on Hack Smarter, focusing on establishing persistence on a compromised SQL server by creating a backdoor user account 0:00.
Key Takeaways:
• The attacker has fully compromised the SQL server, successfully bypassed Windows Defender, and obtained a stable Sliver C2 session with NT Authority access 0:12.
• The primary objective for this phase is to establish persistence using a straightforward method: creating a backdoor user account 0:24.
• Because the Hack Smarter platform saves range progress, this backdoor account provides a reliable way to log back in for additional post-exploitation or loot extraction 0:31.
The video sets the stage for maintaining long-term access to the target network following the initial system compromise.
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Transcript Preview
First 800 characters of the transcript
What is up everyone? Welcome back to another video. This is part four of our series working through the Dark Haven range on the Hack Smarter platform. We're going to pick up right where we left off in part three. Quick recap. At the end of part three, we have fully compromised the SQL server. We were able to bypass Defender. We have a stable Sliver C2 session. So now we have two focuses. Number one, we want to establish a backdoor and I'm going to do it the easy way by making a backdoor user account. This is going to be helpful on the range because remember your progress is always saved. So now that we have NT Authority access, let's create a backdoor user account that we can log back into at any time if we want to look for more loot or do more post exploitation later on in the range. And …