eCPTXv2 Review
To be honest, ECPTXv2 was extremely challenging for me, especially when compared to other exams in terms of time frame and content. This is because it goes far beyond traditional network or domain-based penetration testing. It demands a deep understanding of strange attack vectors and unconventional foothold techniques that push even experienced professionals to their limits.
I skimmed through the syllabus before starting my preparation, and when I actually saw the topics covered, I hesitated and seriously reconsidered whether I was ready to take the exam lol. Let’s be real, going through the exam content, I realized I hadn’t even come across half of what was listed in the syllabus. I’ve listed some of these topics below for reference.
https://dsxte2q2nyjxs.cloudfront.net/Syllabus_PTXv2.pdf
I think exam lab is the same for all candidates. I found the inclusion of social engineering in the syllabus unnecessary. No related scenarios appeared during my assessment, which made studying this section feel like a waste of time.
A strong knowledge of Active Directory enumeration and network service discovery is crucial. Difficulties in the enumeration phase will significantly hinder your overall progress during the exam. The primary goal of ECPTXv2 is to assess your ability to operate under challenging conditions. Do yourself a favor: move away from relying on off-the-shelf exploits and focus on developing a deeper technical understanding. Because using exploits is forbidden in exam.
One area I wish I had studied more thoroughly beforehand was ACLs and DACLs. These concepts repeatedly surfaced throughout the assessment and often determined how far I could go in privilege escalation and lateral movement. While internet access is permitted during the exam, time constraints make it impractical to research these topics from scratch. To avoid wasting valuable time or falling into a rabbit hole, it’s strongly advised to study these concepts in advance.
If you’re not comfortable with pivoting and proxy configurations, you’ll struggle significantly. The exam environment typically consists of 4–5 interconnected systems, with direct access provided to only one via the initial VPN connection. The remaining targets reside on isolated networks, requiring the use of compromised systems to pivot through. Tools like Chisel, SSH tunneling, or native OS capabilities become essential for navigating restricted environments. Spend time understanding how to set up SOCKS proxies, SSH tunnels, or pivoting techniques. These skills will save you hours of frustration.
Finally, I think the exam creators intentionally force candidates to compromise every machine in the lab using all possible methods. During my first attempt, I successfully breached all systems but received feedback indicating alternative attack paths existed that I hadn’t explored. At first, I was confused—wasn’t compromising everything enough? Upon reflection, I understood their reasoning. The exam emphasizes not just successful access but comprehensive methodology. You’ll likely face the same situation, so make sure you explore every possible attack vector and demonstrate true red-team-level thinking.