HackTheBox | Where it all started from

Are you ready to travel back to an era where memory protection didn’t exist, and a single packet could "Blue Screen" a server?
Welcome to a special HackTheBox Meetup dedicated to the legends of legacy computing! We are stepping away from modern cloud security to explore the foundational vulnerabilities of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. We’ll be discussing everything from the IBM PC (1981) to the screaming-fast Pentium 4 (2000-2006).

Why Retro Hacking?
Before we had EDR, ASLR, and DEP, there was the "Wild West" of computing. By understanding how the Morris Worm, NetBIOS exploits, and buffer overflows worked on raw silicon, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how modern security mitigations were built from the ground up.

What’s on the Agenda?

• The Evolution of the Exploit: A breakdown of how CPU architecture (from 16-bit to 32-bit) changed the hacking landscape.
• No Guards on Duty: A live look at why exploiting Windows XP/2000 was "Easy Mode" compared to today—and why these systems are still lurking in industrial networks (OT/ICS) today.
• Live Pwn – HTB Legacy: We will collectively tackle the Legacy machine on HackTheBox to demonstrate the infamous MS08-067 and MS17-010 vulnerabilities.
• Hardware Show & Tell: Have an old IBM ThinkPad, a floppy disk collection, or a Pentium 4 tower gathering dust? Bring it along!
• Beginners: See the roots of cybersecurity in a simplified environment without modern "noise."
• Vets: Come get nostalgic and share your stories of the "Good Old Days" of 2600 and IRC.
• HTB Players: Earn some points and learn new techniques for legacy boxes.

### Logistics

• What to bring: Your laptop (with Kali Linux or your favorite distro), your HTB login, and any "ancient" tech you want to show off.
• Knowledge Level: All levels are welcome! We will walk through the exploits step-by-step.

Don’t let your skills become legacy code. Join us for a night of silicon, shells, and 8-bit nostalgia!
#HTB #HackTheBox #RetroHacking #CyberSecurity #Pentium4 #IBM #Infosec

Organizer:

• Huzaifah Tahir
• Muhammad Umair
• Talha Zaheer