Greetings, Michigan cybersecurity enthusiasts! We’re thrilled to recap this year’s Michigan Infosec Community Conference (MISECCON) and the top-notch Capture the Flag (CTF) competition hosted in cooperation of our partner organization, CTF313.
We had the honor of hosting the official CTF for the inaugural Michigan Infosec Community Conference (MISECCON). This first-ever event marks a significant milestone in Michigan's cybersecurity landscape, establishing a newfound hub for professionals, hobbyists, and students alike. MISECCON, in its debut, has already shown great promise in fostering a rich community, united by our shared passion for cybersecurity and innovation. For a detailed look at what transpired during this landmark event, including sessions and speaker profiles, do check out the official MISECCON site.
The CTF:
The CTF we hosted was a central highlight of the conference and a battleground of wits and skills. We had an impressive assortment of 80 challenges, spanning various categories including:
- Ancient Ciphers
- Binary Exploitation
- Lock Picking
- Forensics
- Reverse Engineering
- RF/Wireless
- MacOS
- Steganography
- OSINT
- Encryption and Encoding
- History and Literature.
The CTF kicked off at 9 AM and concluded at 4:45 PM. It was a day filled with intense focus, rapid problem-solving, and a vibrant display of cybersecurity skills.
A total of 18 teams, comprising 41 players, participated in the CTF
- 1st Place: Team "Rdy4This" led by jQlusion, with Forrest, cwrogg, and Agreeing3438, clinched the top spot with 150 points.
- 2nd Place: Team CNWR, including jslagle, lawrencesystems, and emiskowi2, followed closely with 125 points.
- 3rd Place: "Nerds Rope," with James, imdunham, dstewart2115, and derickson2402, demonstrated remarkable skill, securing 112 points.
A special shoutout goes to our alma mater's team, EMU IASA, led by Rob_Banks, sgluna122, clog, and Joe_D, who showed great promise with 64 points.
Notable Challenges
- Art of Mac Malware Challenge: This was a Mac Malware challenge which tasked contestants with investigating and defusing Mac malware before a set timer expired and "infected" their mac! The first to succeed not only earned points but also won the coveted "Art of Mac Malware" book by Patrick Wardle.
- OSINT Geosint Challenge: Featuring a 3D map, participants were required to pinpoint GPS coordinates of locations anywhere in the world, showcasing their OSINT skillz.
- IR Hacking with Magic Mixie: A unique challenge where players used their Flipper Zeros to sniff IR codes from a magic wand, unlocking secrets in a crystal ball. This particular challenge was inspired by discussions at Defcon with RFHackers, and the hardware was provided by my own child! Thanks ;)
As the curtains close on the first MISECCON, we're left with a sense of accomplishment and excitement. The success of the CTF challenge, the enthusiasm of the participants, and the wealth of knowledge shared, have all set a high bar for what’s to come. The CTF313 team and I are incredibly proud to have played a part in this inaugural event and are already buzzing with ideas for next year.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us at MISECCON, and we eagerly look forward to welcoming you again. Let's continue to push boundaries, share insights, and grow this great community further!
