HTB CAPE: The hands-on certification for mastering Active Directory exploitation

HTB CAPE isn’t a course—it’s actually a top-tier certification designed to prove you can conquer real-world Active Directory (AD) environments. It’s the culmination of the popular Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path on HTB Academy; a rigorous, hands-on training journey covering everything from enumeration and exploitation to post-exploitation and reporting. 

If you’ve completed the modules in that path, HTB CAPE is the natural next step if you want to certify your skills at the highest level.  Let’s dive in.

What is HTB CAPE?

HTB CAPE (Certified Active Directory Exploitation Professional) is Hack The Box’s flagship certification for proving mastery in Active Directory penetration testing. It’s not a course—it’s a performance-based exam that validates the advanced skills and techniques acquired through completion of the Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path, which features 15 modules of hands-on training. 

It’s intensive, manual, and rooted in real-world practice. You won’t just learn techniques—you’ll execute them, over and over again, from multiple angles and using both Windows and Linux attack boxes.

Let’s take a closer look at what HTB CAPE covers:

• Enumeration at depth. Because you can’t break what you can’t see.

• Multiple attack chains. Learn how different paths can lead to the same goal.

• Manual exploitation. Tools help, but understanding why something works is where the real treasure is.

• Realistic environments. Authored by experienced professionals who’ve been there, done that, and broken it a few times over.

Each section is packed with theory, peppered with real-life pentest examples, and capped off with exercises and a final skills assessment. Yes, it’s a bit of a grind, but that’s the point. You’re not just preparing for an exam—you’re preparing for the job.

The HTB CAPE exam: Realistic, ruthless, rewarding

This isn’t a puzzle; it’s an honest-to-goodness pentest. You’ll get:

• A 10-day exam window

• An engagement letter and an internal foothold; no credentials, no hand-holding

• A full Active Directory environment to exploit

The goal? Rack up 90 points by capturing and submitting flags, and submit a professional-grade pentest report using the provided template.

The exam is open-book, so Google, notes, and course materials are fair game. Outside help beyond that? Denied. This is your show.

Top tip: Take the HTB Documentation & Reporting module before diving in. Knowing how to organize and present your findings is just as important as the hacks themselves.

Notetaking matters (a lot)

The Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path is dense, so staying organized will save you time and headaches. 

• Keep detailed notes for each module.

• Develop a system that works for your workflow—Notion, Obsidian, physical notebook, whatever keeps you consistent.

• Structure your notes in a way that makes reporting feel like a copy-paste job, not a rewrite.

Who should take HTB CAPE?

HTB CAPE isn’t for beginners; it’s tailor-made for those who already know the fundamentals and want to sharpen their skills to a fine point. More specifically, it’s for:

• Penetration Testers who want to strengthen their AD chops.

• Application Penetration Testers who might be more web-app focused and want to move deeper into network territory.

• Blue teamers who want to see how attackers think, so they can better defend against them.

Now, let’s talk about prerequisites. At minimum, you’ll need:

• A solid understanding of AD fundamentals (ideally, you’ve crushed the AD Enumeration & Attacks module + assessment).

• Familiarity with network pentesting concepts.

• Completion of HTB CPTS (or equivalent experience) is a solid foundation.

For organizations, HTB CAPE is a robust tool for upskilling security teams. It’s a great way to make sure internal talent can predict, prevent, and respond to real-world AD attacks without depending entirely on automation or external consultants. HTB CAPE-certified professionals bring ready-to-go, validated expertise to any organization’s blue or red team operations.

What you'll learn

HTB CAPE is designed to teach you the full kill chain in an Active Directory environment. That means you’ll walk away with hands-on experience in:

• Deep enumeration techniques

• Gaining footholds

• Lateral movement strategies

• Domain privilege escalation

• Tackling modern attack techniques

• A soft entry into C2 infrastructure and evasion

• Effective pillaging and post-exploitation

And most importantly, manual testing. HTB CAPE forces you to slow things down, understand how it all flows, and develop that attacker mindset.

How long does it take?

If you’re going full throttle, it’s about 36 days of focused work. But if we’re being realistic, most learners take 3 to 4 months to complete the course at a sustainable pace.

What doors can HTB CAPE open?

For junior pentesters, it’s a springboard to more complex internal engagements. You’ll gain the confidence (and proof) that you can navigate the tangled world of AD exploitation.

For senior pentesters, especially those more familiar with external or web-facing engagements, HTB  CAPE adds serious heft to your skillset, helping you pivot into more full-scope network work.

For blue teamers, it’s a tough but priceless look at what you’re really up against. And employers out there will take notice. 

Final tips

• Don’t skip the fundamentals. If AD is still murky, hit the basics again first.

• Use a VM snapshot strategy for rollback during lab work.

• Bookmark reference materials. Familiarize yourself with Windows internals, PowerView, BloodHound, and Kerberos mechanics.

• Don’t rush the modules; spend time on the theory so it sticks, and redo exercises when needed.

• Practice writing reports before the exam. You’ll thank us later.

In short, the Active Directory Penetration Tester job-role path and HTB CAPE are built for those who want to think like an attacker and act like a pro. It’s not easy because it’s not meant to be. But if you’re ready to go hands-on, think critically, and document like your life depends on it—this is where you get sharp.

Find out more about HTB CAPE