PWNCTF 2025
A capture-the-flag competition emphasizing collaborative learning over toxic competition
What is PWNCTF?
A fresh approach to cybersecurity education through peer mentorship
Challenge Categories
We have partenred up with hacker groups from around the world to provide challenges in cutting-edge cybersecurity domains, from traditional web exploitation to emerging technologies like SATCOM and FPGA security
SATCOM Security
Satellite communication protocols, signal analysis, and space-based infrastructure vulnerabilities. Learn about orbital mechanics impact on security and ground station exploitation.
Bomb Defusal
Physical puzzle solving under pressure, circuit analysis, and complex multi-stage challenge coordination. Experience real-world crisis management and technical problem-solving.
Mainframe Hacking
Legacy system exploitation, COBOL vulnerabilities, and enterprise mainframe security assessment techniques. Master z/OS security and TSO/ISPF exploitation methods.
Automotive Security
Vehicle network protocols, CAN bus exploitation, and connected car vulnerability assessment. Explore autonomous vehicle security and V2X communication attacks.
SCADA Systems
Industrial control system security, PLC programming vulnerabilities, and critical infrastructure protection. Master Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850 protocol exploitation.
RTOS Security
Real-time operating system vulnerabilities, embedded device exploitation, and time-critical system analysis. Explore FreeRTOS, VxWorks, and QNX security challenges.
FPGA Security
Field-programmable gate array vulnerabilities, hardware description language analysis, and reconfigurable computing security. Master Verilog/VHDL security analysis and bitstream manipulation.
Web Exploitation
Modern web application vulnerabilities, from SQL injection to advanced client-side attacks and API security flaws. Explore cutting-edge techniques in modern web frameworks and cloud-native applications.
Digital Forensics
Investigate digital crime scenes, recover deleted data, and analyze complex evidence chains across multiple platforms. Master advanced memory analysis and timeline reconstruction techniques.
Hardware Hacking
Physical device exploitation, firmware analysis, and embedded system vulnerabilities in IoT and industrial devices. Dive deep into side-channel attacks and hardware reverse engineering.
Cryptography
Classical and modern cryptographic challenges, from basic ciphers to advanced elliptic curve and post-quantum cryptography. Explore lattice-based cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs.
Reverse Engineering
Binary analysis, malware dissection, and software protection mechanism bypass techniques. Master advanced static and dynamic analysis with modern anti-analysis evasion.
Binary Exploitation
Memory corruption vulnerabilities, exploit development, and advanced exploitation techniques against modern defenses. Explore kernel exploitation and hypervisor escapes.
Browser Exploitation
Modern browser security mechanisms, JavaScript engine vulnerabilities, and client-side exploitation techniques. Master V8, SpiderMonkey, and WebKit exploitation methods.
Container Escape
Docker and container security, privilege escalation, and containerized environment breakout techniques. Explore Kubernetes security and container runtime vulnerabilities.
Required Hardware
Additional equipment is needed to actively participate in some special onsite challenges (excluded from scoreboard)
Intel Cyclone IV FPGA — EP4CE22F17C6
Why it’s needed
- Run a purposely vulnerable design (e.g., soft-CPU or state machine) where you’ll chain a minimal ret2win flow.
- Understand exploitation when the “OS” is your logic: no ASLR/DEP — timing and register flow matter.
- Hands-on with synthesis, bitstreams, and on-chip debug signals.
What you’ll do
- Flash the bitstream, connect via UART/JTAG, and trigger the overflow.
- Pivot control to a win function under strict resource/timing constraints.
- Capture proof by interacting with a success GPIO/LED/win token.
We’ll provide programmer and reference bitstream; bring a laptop with drivers (Quartus/USB-Blaster or compatible).
Adafruit M0 (ATSAMD21)
Why it’s needed
- Showcase overflow classes on a small Cortex-M0+ target with predictable memory layout.
- Practice exploitation without an OS: direct registers, linker scripts, and vectors.
- Contrast protections (stack canaries, fortify) across scenarios.
What you’ll do
- Build/flash vulnerable sketches for three distinct overflow patterns.
- Craft inputs that redirect execution (e.g., overwrite return addr / function ptr).
- Demonstrate control via a visible effect (LED, UART banner, or token printout).
We’ll provide ready-to-flash binaries and source; bring a USB cable and a serial terminal.
ESP32-WROOM (x2)
Why it’s needed
- Remote format-string exploit (LoRaWAN): craft a malicious packet to control formatting paths and flip a GPIO (blink). (A LoRa transceiver module will be provided alongside the ESP32.)
- Firmware reversing track: analyze a provided ARM firmware image and interact via the ESP32 as the transport/IO harness (UART/GPIO), validating your understanding on real IO.
What you’ll do
- Set up one ESP32 with a LoRa add-on to transmit the payload and verify the blink trigger.
- Use the second ESP32 as a serial/IO bridge while you reverse and test the ARM image behavior.
- Document primitives (write-what-where, info leak) and produce a reproducible PoC.
Bring two ESP32-WROOM devkits + USB cables. LoRa radios, antennas, and the firmware image are provided on site.
Arduino nano
Why it’s needed
- Introduction to glitch type attacks to control formatting paths and flip a GPIO connection.
- Firmware reversing track: analyze a provided ARM firmware image and interact via the ARDUINO as the transport/IO harness (GPIO), validating your understanding on real IO.
Prize Pool
€7,500 in total prizes for the top performing teams
Winners must be present onsite to qualify
Winners must be present onsite to qualify
Winners must be present onsite to qualify
Organizers
Meet the team behind PWNCTF 2025
Lead Organizer
Vatafu Vladut
Reuben Sammut
Challenge Author
mainframed767
Challenge Author
Tim Fowler
Challenge Author
Sponsors
Supporting the future of cybersecurity education
Security Patch
Caido
Calypso Labs
Cyber Warfare
i0.rs
Cyber Edu
Defcon Cluj Group
DreamHack
Ethos
Evil Mainframe
MetaCTF
ZVS Hosting
Wallarm
Hacktivity
Venue
Join us in the heart of Timișoara
Iulius Congress Hall
www.iuliuscongresshall.roLocated in the heart of Timișoara, Iulius Congress Hall is a modern venue known for its state-of-the-art facilities and excellent accessibility. Surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and shopping areas, it offers a good setting for a comfortable onsite CTF experience.
Contact
Get in touch with the PWNCTF team