OSEE explained

OSEE: The Offensive Security Exploitation Expert Certification

Table of contents

The field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging every day. To combat these risks, organizations need professionals who possess advanced skills in Offensive security and exploitation. One certification that stands out in this domain is OSEE, which stands for Offensive Security Exploitation Expert. In this article, we will dive deep into what OSEE is, how it is used, where it comes from, its history, background, examples, use cases, career aspects, its relevance in the industry, and the standards and best practices associated with it.

What is OSEE?

OSEE is an advanced certification offered by Offensive Security, a leading organization in the field of offensive security training and certifications. The OSEE certification focuses on the skills and knowledge required to identify, exploit, and mitigate Vulnerabilities in various systems and applications. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to enhance their expertise in offensive security and penetration testing.

How is OSEE Used?

The OSEE certification equips professionals with the skills necessary to perform advanced penetration testing, Exploit development, and vulnerability research. It provides a comprehensive understanding of both modern and legacy exploitation techniques, enabling professionals to identify and exploit vulnerabilities effectively.

Professionals with OSEE certification can:

• Conduct advanced penetration testing assessments: OSEE-certified professionals are adept at identifying Vulnerabilities in complex systems and applications. They possess the skills to perform in-depth assessments, find vulnerabilities, and exploit them to demonstrate the potential impact.

• Develop custom Exploits: OSEE focuses on exploit development, enabling professionals to create custom exploits for vulnerabilities that have no public exploits available. This skill set is crucial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.

• Perform in-depth vulnerability research: OSEE equips professionals with the knowledge and techniques required to perform in-depth vulnerability research. This includes analyzing binary code, Reverse engineering, and understanding the intricacies of vulnerabilities to develop effective exploits.

Background and History of OSEE

The OSEE certification is part of the Offensive Security Training and Certification Program, which was established in 2006. Offensive Security has a long history of providing practical and hands-on training in offensive security, with certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and OSCE (Offensive Security Certified Expert) being highly regarded in the industry.

The OSEE certification was introduced in 2013 to address the growing need for professionals with advanced skills in Offensive security, exploit development, and vulnerability research. It was designed to bridge the gap between traditional penetration testing and advanced exploit development, providing professionals with a deeper understanding of offensive security techniques.

Examples and Use Cases of OSEE

To better understand the practical application of OSEE, let's explore a few examples and use cases:

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Exploit Development: An organization hires an OSEE-certified professional to conduct a thorough assessment of their web application. The professional identifies a critical vulnerability in the application and develops a custom exploit to demonstrate the impact. This helps the organization understand the severity of the vulnerability and take appropriate remediation measures.

2. Zero-Day Vulnerability Research: A security researcher with OSEE certification discovers a zero-day vulnerability in a widely used software product. They analyze the vulnerability, develop an exploit, and responsibly disclose the findings to the vendor. This research helps the vendor patch the vulnerability, protecting millions of users from potential attacks.

3. Red team Engagements: OSEE-certified professionals are often part of red team engagements, where they simulate real-world attacks to test an organization's security posture. By utilizing their advanced offensive security skills, they identify and exploit vulnerabilities to provide valuable insights into an organization's security weaknesses.

These examples highlight the diverse applications of OSEE in various scenarios, emphasizing its importance in offensive security and exploit development.

Career Aspects and Relevance in the Industry

The OSEE certification holds significant value in the cybersecurity industry, especially for professionals interested in offensive security and exploit development. It demonstrates a high level of expertise in advanced offensive techniques and sets individuals apart from their peers. OSEE-certified professionals are sought after by organizations looking to enhance their security posture and mitigate potential risks.

The certification opens up various career opportunities, including roles such as:

• Penetration Tester: OSEE-certified professionals can work as penetration testers, assessing the security of systems and applications, identifying vulnerabilities, and providing remediation recommendations.

• Vulnerability Researcher: With their expertise in vulnerability research, OSEE-certified professionals can work as researchers, analyzing software and systems to discover and responsibly disclose vulnerabilities.

• Exploit Developer: OSEE equips professionals with the skills to develop custom Exploits. This opens up opportunities to work as exploit developers, either as part of a security team or in vulnerability research organizations.

• Red team Member: OSEE-certified professionals are highly sought after for red team engagements, where they simulate real-world attacks to test an organization's defenses and identify vulnerabilities.

Standards and Best Practices

As an advanced certification, OSEE aligns with several standards and best practices in the field of offensive security and exploit development. Some notable references include:

• Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS): OSEE-certified professionals understand the CVSS framework, which is widely used to assess the severity of vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation efforts.

• Exploit Development Frameworks: OSEE covers various exploit development techniques and frameworks, including Metasploit Framework, Corelan, and Immunity Debugger. These frameworks provide best practices and guidelines for developing reliable and effective exploits.

• Secure Coding Practices: OSEE emphasizes the understanding of secure coding practices to identify vulnerabilities in software applications. Knowledge of secure coding practices helps professionals develop secure applications and identify vulnerabilities in existing codebases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE) certification is a highly regarded credential in the field of offensive security and exploit development. It equips professionals with advanced skills in penetration testing, vulnerability research, and exploit development. With its practical approach and focus on real-world scenarios, OSEE provides professionals with the expertise required to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively. This certification opens up diverse career opportunities in the cybersecurity industry and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in offensive security techniques.

References: - Offensive Security - OSEE Certification. https://www.offensive-security.com/osee/ - Offensive Security Training and Certification Program. https://www.offensive-security.com/training-and-certification/ - Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). https://www.first.org/cvss/ - Metasploit Framework. https://metasploit.com/ - Corelan. https://www.corelan.be/ - Immunity Debugger. https://www.immunityinc.com/products/debugger/