---
description: This CTF was problematic...to say the least :/
---

# Cyber Defenders Discovery Camp 2021

Team Name: Pogtopia

Final placement: 2nd runner up

![Final Placement](https://3005128937-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7fGnUKow1kUWdcf20IE0%2Fuploads%2FcjXkSIXkVHSJhRhTFbTF%2Fpog.jpg?alt=media\&token=8323230d-9fb7-448f-825d-29d423a33d3c)

![Challenges solved](https://3005128937-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F7fGnUKow1kUWdcf20IE0%2Fuploads%2F148niK6gYq3k9ne2FCWn%2Ffinalscore.png?alt=media\&token=2d0696df-170a-4856-9022-64721581bbe2)

This was a CTF hosted by DSTA in 2021.\
The challenge categories in the CTF were:

**1. Lets Go Hunting - OSINT**

**2. Linux Rules The World! - Linux**

**3. Going Active - Active reconnaissance**

**4. Web Takedown 1 - Web (day 1)**

**5. Web Takedown 2 - Web (day 2)**

**6. File it Away - Pwn**

**7. Post Mortem - Forensics**

**8. Break It Down - Crypto**

**9. Behind The Mask - Windows/Active Directory**

I focused mostly on the OSINT, Linux, active recon, web and Windows AD categories due to their\
offensive nature, so the other categories may not be as well documented in this page.

Probably the least stable CTF infrastructure I've ever encountered. This CTF had technical\
difficulties from start to end, with the CTF being delayed a whole day, boxes being constantly\
down, challenges being able to be tampered with, an unstable CTF platform and lack of\
technical support, especially near the end.

In the final hours of the CTF, not just the linux challenges, but the pwn, web and other linux\
hosts were griefed and rendered unusable. While tampering with challenges is not permitted\
according to CTF rules, there should have been a reset system for the boxes, like in other\
CTFs.

With that said, I enjoyed playing with the Active Directory challenges, and learnt some new\
OSINT techniques along the way that might help with offensive operations in the future.

### Challenge Writeups

{% content-ref url="cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/lets-go-hunting" %}
[lets-go-hunting](cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/lets-go-hunting)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/linux-rules-the-world" %}
[linux-rules-the-world](cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/linux-rules-the-world)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/going-active" %}
[going-active](cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/going-active)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/file-it-away" %}
[file-it-away](cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/file-it-away)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/behind-the-mask" %}
[behind-the-mask](cyber-defenders-discovery-camp-2021/behind-the-mask)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Some challenges we solved could not be properly documented due to challenge hosts being\
taken offline shortly after the CTF ended.
