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Exam Information
Official specifications published by GIAC
Exam Format
180 min
60
67%
Practitioner
Registration
$979 USD
ProctorU Remote Proctoring, PearsonVUE Testing Centers, or online proctoring
English
Validity
4 years
Earn 36 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits over 4 years; Retake the GXPN exam; Pass a higher-level GIAC certification
GXPN Exam Topics and Domains
GXPN is organized into 14 weighted domains. Expect to work with AFL, libFuzzer, ROPgadget, Ropper, and more.
1
Bypassing Linux Exploit Mitigations
7%
Linux Stack Protections
Stack Canaries and SSPASLR on LinuxDEP and NX Bit
- Identify Linux stack protection mechanisms
- Recognize methods to bypass ASLR, DEP, and stack canaries
- Understand the limitations of each protection mechanism
Advanced Linux Exploitation Techniques
ret2libc AttacksFormat String Vulnerabilities
- Demonstrate ability to exploit Linux binaries with modern protections
- Construct ret2libc and ROP chains for code execution
2
Bypassing Windows Memory Protections
7%
Windows Stack Protections
SafeSEH and SEHOPDEP and ASLR on WindowsControl Flow Guard (CFG)
- Identify Windows stack safeguards and protection mechanisms
- Describe methods to bypass DEP, ASLR, SafeSEH, and CFG
- Understand Windows exception handling exploitation
Windows Exploitation Techniques
SEH OverwritesHeap Spraying
- Gain execution control by leveraging Windows internal mechanisms
- Demonstrate SEH-based exploitation techniques
3
Endpoint Control Evasions and Escalation
7%
Bypassing Endpoint Protection
Application Whitelisting BypassPowerShell Constrained Language ModeAntivirus Evasion
- Apply techniques to bypass common endpoint protections
- Demonstrate methods to break out of restricted environments
- Understand modern endpoint security controls
Privilege Escalation
Windows Privilege EscalationLinux Privilege Escalation
- Identify privilege escalation vectors on Windows and Linux
- Demonstrate lateral movement techniques
4
Establishing Network Access
7%
Network Access Control Bypass
802.1X Authentication BypassVLAN HoppingCDP and LLDP Exploitation
- Demonstrate knowledge in enumeration and bypass of network access controls
- Understand common network authentication mechanisms and their weaknesses
Initial Network Connectivity
ARP Attacks
Obtain initial network connectivity in restricted environments
5
Infrastructure Manipulation and Exploitation
7%
Routing Protocol Exploitation
OSPF AttacksBGP Hijacking
- Demonstrate understanding of how routing and traffic control can be influenced
- Exploit routing protocols to manipulate network traffic
Traffic Manipulation
HSRP/VRRP Attacks
Manipulate infrastructure to redirect or intercept traffic
6
Linux Execution, Memory, and Shellcode Foundations
7%
Linux Memory Organization
Process Memory LayoutDynamic Memory Allocation
- Describe Linux memory organization and management fundamentals
- Understand low-level Linux binary execution
Linux Shellcode Development
x86/x64 Assembly for ShellcodeShellcode Encoding and Obfuscation
- Leverage Linux memory information with shellcode
- Write functional shellcode for Linux systems
7
Network Interception and Traffic Manipulation
7%
Traffic Interception Techniques
ARP Poisoning for MITMDNS Spoofing
- Describe the process of intercepting and observing traffic flows
- Demonstrate ability to perform man-in-the-middle attacks
Traffic Manipulation and Analysis
SSL/TLS StrippingPacket Crafting and Injection
- Alter traffic flows to achieve attacker objectives
- Understand traffic manipulation techniques and their detection
8
Practical Cryptography
7%
Cryptographic Implementation Flaws
Padding Oracle AttacksHash Length Extension AttacksKeystream Reuse
- Identify issues in cryptographic implementations
- Demonstrate different ways to exploit cryptographic weaknesses
- Understand common cryptographic pitfalls
SSL/TLS Vulnerabilities
SSL/TLS Protocol Attacks
Exploit SSL/TLS implementation weaknesses
9
Practical Scripting for Offensive Operations
7%
Python for Penetration Testing
Python Scripting FundamentalsScapy for Packet Manipulation
- Create new and adapt existing objective-focused scripts
- Demonstrate proficiency in Python for offensive operations
Tool Adaptation and Customization
Modifying Existing Exploits
Adapt existing tools for specific engagement requirements
10
Product Security Testing and Fuzzing Foundations
7%
Fuzzing Methodologies
Building Fuzzing GrammarsDumb vs Smart Fuzzing
- Build fuzzing grammars for protocol and application testing
- Know when and how to use fuzzing techniques effectively
Code Coverage and Crash Analysis
Measuring Code CoverageCrash Triaging
- Measure and improve fuzzing code coverage
- Analyze crashes for exploitability
11
Return Oriented Stack-Based Exploits
7%
ROP Chain Construction
ROP FundamentalsAdvanced ROP Techniques
- Create simple return-oriented chains to achieve execution
- Understand ROP as a DEP bypass mechanism
Gadget Discovery and Utilization
Gadget Finding Techniques
Identify and utilize ROP gadgets in binary exploitation
12
Source Code Based Fuzzing Techniques
7%
Source Code Assisted Fuzzing
White-box FuzzingCompile-time Instrumentation
- Demonstrate use of available source code to improve fuzzing efficiency
- Ensure greater code coverage through source-based techniques
Advanced Coverage Techniques
Reaching Deep Code Paths
Achieve comprehensive code coverage in complex applications
13
Windows Execution and Memory Foundations
7%
Windows Process Execution
PE File FormatWindows Loading Process
- Describe the low-level Windows execution process
- Understand Windows runtime and execution-time protections
Windows Memory Management
Windows HeapWindows Stack
Understand Windows memory organization for exploitation purposes
14
Windows Overflows and Execution Control
7%
Windows Buffer Overflows
Stack-based Buffer Overflows on WindowsSEH-based Exploitation
- Demonstrate how execution control can be gained through Windows mechanisms
- Leverage structured exception handling for exploitation
Windows Heap Exploitation
Heap Overflow Techniques
Exploit heap-based vulnerabilities on Windows
How do I earn this certification?
Passing GXPN earns the GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester certification. It sits in the Offensive Operations (Red Team) track.
Current Level Exams
GX-PT - GIAC Experienced Penetration Tester Advanced hands-on penetration testing certification
Next Level Options
SEC760 - Advanced Exploit Development for Penetration Testers Next level of exploit development beyond GXPN
Alternative Paths
- GWAPT - GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester Complementary web application security skills
- GCIH - GIAC Certified Incident Handler Understanding defensive perspective to improve offensive techniques
- GREM - GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware Advanced reverse engineering skills applicable to exploit development
- GCFA - GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst Understanding forensics to avoid detection during red team operations
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for GXPN is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Network Penetration Testers and Systems Penetration Testers.
- GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification or equivalent knowledge
- SANS SEC560: Network Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking or equivalent experience
- Strong foundation in penetration testing methodologies
- Programming experience in Python
- Familiarity with C and C++ code reading
- Understanding of x86/x64 assembly language
- Knowledge of Windows and Linux operating systems
- Experience with network protocols and packet analysis