← Writeups
HardLinuxHackTheBoxACTIVE

Nimbus: HackTheBox Writeup (Linux, Hard)

SSRF through a dual-layer filter bypass leaks EC2 metadata IAM credentials, a PyYAML unsafe-loader RCE via SQS delivers a worker shell inside Docker, and a privileged LocalStack CodeBuild job writes to the overlay upperdir to hijack modprobe and pop root on the host.

2026-06-24

// Attack Chain

Recon → health endpoint leak → SSRF (extension + IP filter bypass) → EC2 metadata IAM creds → SQS job injection → PyYAML RCE → worker shell → LocalStack CodeBuild privileged build → overlay upperdir write → modprobe path hijack → Root

Machine Overview

PlatformHackTheBox
Targetnimbus.htb / aws.nimbus.htb
Operating SystemLinux
DifficultyHard
CategoryCloud / Container Escape

🔒

Machine Still Active

This machine is currently live on HackTheBox. The full writeup unlocks automatically once it retires.

← Back to writeups