The OWASP Juice Shop is a widely used platform in cyber security education and penetration testing, simulating a vulnerable web application where users can practice identifying and mitigating security flaws in a controlled environment. One core challenge in Juice Shop is finding hidden functionality, such as the admin dashboard, which often includes sensitive operations and insights into an application’s internal workings. This guide will walk you through finding the Juice Shop dashboard, highlighting techniques that improve your penetration testing skills in real-world scenarios.

Note: This article is intended for educational and authorized penetration testing purposes only. Always obtain explicit permission before testing any live system.

Understanding OWASP Juice Shop and Its Relevance

The Juice Shop application is packed with intentional vulnerabilities, offering penetration testers a training ground for various skills, from SQL injection to authentication bypass. Locating the hidden admin dashboard is an essential skill, as dashboards often contain high-privilege operations or sensitive data that attackers commonly target.

In Juice Shop, finding the dashboard is a challenge meant to replicate how hidden or poorly protected functionalities can be exploited by an attacker. Completing this exercise will not only reveal critical penetration testing techniques but will also help you understand the importance of securing these elements in real-world applications.

Approach to Finding the Dashboard

To discover the dashboard in Juice Shop, let’s explore several common penetration testing methods, beginning with the application’s structure and potential entry points.

Step 1: Explore the source code

In modern web applications, developers often leave hints in HTML, JavaScript, or CSS files. Here’s how you can use this to your advantage:

1. Open the browser’s Developer Tools:

• Open Developer Tools (F12 in most browsers) and navigate to the “Sources” or “Network” tabs to inspect loaded resources.

1. Look through JavaScript files:

• Web applications frequently load JavaScript files that include functionality code. Examine JavaScript files to find references to “admin,” “dashboard,” or similar keywords.

1. Search for comments and links:

• Sometimes, developers leave commented-out sections or hints about specific pages. Look for URLs or names like “/admin” or “/dashboard” within the HTML and JavaScript code.

Step 2: URL manipulation and fuzzing

URL manipulation is a fundamental approach in penetration testing. To find hidden sections:

1. Guess common paths:

• Try common dashboard URL paths by typing them directly into the address bar, e.g., /admin, /dashboard, /controlpanel. Use variations based on the app’s naming conventions.

1. Use a URL fuzzing tool:

• Tools like OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, or Dirbuster can automate this process by testing a wide range of URL paths. Set your tool to fuzz the Juice Shop URLs, targeting common names related to administrative sections.

Step 3: Analyzing the authentication mechanism

Some web applications will hide the dashboard link only from unauthorized users. To check if Juice Shop behaves similarly:

1. Inspect the application’s access control:

• Observe the login process and whether authentication tokens or cookies control access to specific routes.

1. Attempt URL access as an authenticated user:

• If you’re logged in with a high-privilege account, try the previously discovered URLs again. Some dashboard pages may be accessible only when logged in.

Step 4: Leveraging vulnerability scanners

Security scanners can identify hidden paths or files that may not be immediately apparent through manual inspection.

1. Run OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite’s scanner:

• Both ZAP and Burp have robust web crawlers and scanners that can detect hidden pages and files, making it easier to locate potential dashboard entry points.

1. Identify open directories:

• If Juice Shop has exposed directories or unprotected resources, they might link directly to dashboard files. You can configure these tools to test for directory listings that reveal hidden content.

Step 5: Searching for error messages and redirects

If none of the above steps directly reveal the dashboard, carefully analyze any errors you encounter:

1. Intentional error triggering:

• Input incorrect data or alter URL parameters to force error messages. Occasionally, applications will reveal more information in error responses that can guide you to hidden paths.

1. Look for unusual redirects:

• Juice Shop may redirect unauthorized users when they attempt to access the dashboard. Capture and analyze these redirects to understand where the application may be hiding privileged pages.

Key Takeaways and Security Lessons

Completing this exercise in Juice Shop provides critical insights into real-world application vulnerabilities. Here’s why this experience is valuable:

• Hidden functionality risk: Even seemingly innocuous pages, like dashboards, can pose severe security risks if they’re not properly protected. Testing these vulnerabilities strengthens your ability to identify risks in production systems.
• Enhanced fuzzing skills: Locating the Juice Shop dashboard familiarizes you with directory fuzzing tools and techniques, a skill applicable in almost any penetration test.
• Effective use of scanners: Knowing how and when to use automated tools effectively is essential in cybersecurity; using OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite within Juice Shop reinforces this proficiency.

Conclusion

Finding the dashboard in OWASP Juice Shop is a rewarding exercise for any aspiring cybersecurity professional. By combining manual exploration, URL fuzzing, access control testing, and automated scanning, you’ll gain hands-on experience with the tactics and techniques used in real-world penetration testing.

This guide should serve as a learning tool to understand the mechanisms that attackers might exploit to find hidden functionality in web applications. Always remember: penetration testing is a double-edged sword, offering valuable skills for defenders and attackers alike. Practice responsibly and continue building your knowledge with a clear focus on ethical, legal, and authorized applications.