Many highly technical students fail the OSWE due to reporting errors. Avoid these common mistakes:
The PDF and your functional exploit scripts must be compressed into a password-protected .7z file.
Provide a concise overview (3–5 sentences) summarizing the objective, scope, key findings, and overall outcome (pass/fail). Example: The objective was to identify and exploit web application vulnerabilities on the assigned target to achieve remote code execution and obtain proof-of-exploit flags. During the exam I identified multiple injection and authentication issues, chained an authorization bypass to remote code execution, and captured the required flags. Result: Pass.
Provide step-by-step instructions that allow the reader to manually reproduce the exploit. oswe exam report work
Ensure your scripts are provided as plain text within the PDF and can be copied/pasted without formatting errors. Submission Format: The final report must be a PDF named OSWE-OS-XXXXX-Exam-Report.pdf and archived in a non-password protected .7z file OSWE Exam FAQ - OffSec Support Portal
At the end of each target section, paste your full, unedited Python exploit script. Ensure the script is cleanly formatted in a code block. Add comments to your code explaining what each function does, making it easy for the examiner to read. Refining Your Automated Exploit Scripts
Include a brief comment block at the top explaining how to run the script (e.g., python3 exploit.py ). 5. Remediation Recommendations Many highly technical students fail the OSWE due
The Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE) is one of the most respected web application penetration testing certifications in the cybersecurity industry. While the 48-hour hands-on exam tests your ability to find and exploit complex vulnerability chains, the final 24 hours are dedicated to a different beast: the exam report.
Prepare placeholders for target IP addresses, usernames, and passwords. During the 48 Hours: The Real-Time Documentation Workflow
The OSWE heavily emphasizes automation. To get full points for a target, you must supply a fully functional, automated script (typically written in Python) that completes the entire attack chain. Code Quality and Readability Example: The objective was to identify and exploit
C. Vulnerability Analysis & Exploitation Stage 2 (e.g., RCE)
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when writing the OSWE exam report:
The "Detailed Walkthrough" section is where the rubber meets the road. The grader will attempt to replicate your success by following the steps you document. The following guidelines will help you ensure your walkthrough is clear and effective.
: Don't leave the entire report for the final hours. Use the 24 hours provided after the exam ends to polish your documentation, but take notes and save screenshots throughout the 48-hour testing window. 5. Final Review Checklist Before submitting, ask yourself: Did I include my OSID and full name? Are all screenshots readable and relevant?
Provide the complete Python script used to automate the entire attack chain from start to finish.