In this game capture the flag you will be presented with real configurations of real wireless and radio technologies to attack. Practice your skill and learn new ones from Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) through Software Defined Radio (SDR) and up to Bluetooth and WiFi. There may even be Infrared, if you have the eye for it.

RF Hackers Sanctuary is once again holding the Radio Frequency Capture the Flag (RFCTF) at Shmoocon 2025. RFHS runs this game to teach security concepts and to give people a safe and legal way to practice attacks against new and old wireless technologies.

We cater to both those who are new to radio communications as well as to those who have been playing for a long time. We are looking for inexperienced players on up to the SIGINT secret squirrels to play our games. The RFCTF can be played with a little knowledge, a pen tester’s determination, and $0 to $$$$$ worth of special equipment. Our virtual RFCTF can be played completely remotely without needing any specialized equipment at all, just using your web browser! The key is to read the clues, determine the goal of each challenge, and have fun learning.

This game doesn’t let you sit still though, as there are numerous fox hunts, testing your skill in tracking various signals. If running around the conference looking for WiFi, Bluetooth, or even a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) device sounds like fun, we are your source of a higher step count.

There will be clues everywhere, and we will provide periodic updates via discord and twitter. Make sure you pay attention to what’s happening at the RFCTF desk, #rfctf on our discord, on Twitter @rf_ctf, @rfhackers, and the interwebz, etc. If you have a question – ASK! We may or may not answer, at our discretion.

FOR THE NEW FOLKS

This contest is free and open to anyone and everyone. You can sign up and start playing any time during the conference. If you didn’t bring your wireless gear don’t worry, our virtual RFCTF environment is played over ssh or through a web browser. It may help to have additional tools installed on your local machine, but it is not required.

Read the presentations at: https://rfhackers.com/resources

Hybrid Fun

For Shmoocon 2025 we will be running in “Hybrid” mode. That means we will have both a physical presence AND the virtual game running simultaneously. All of the challenges we have perfected in the last 4 years in our virtual game will be up and running, available to anyone all over the world (including at the conference), entirely free. In addition to the virtual challenges, we will also have a large number of “in person” only challenges, which do require valid conference admission. These “in-person” only challenges will include our traditional fox hunts, 

hide and seeks, and king of the hill challenges. Additionally, we will have many challenges which we simply haven’t had time or ability to virtualize. Playing only the virtual game will severely limit the maximum available points which you can score, therefore don’t expect to place. If you play virtual only, consider the game an opportunity to learn, practice, hone your skills, and still get on the scoreboard for bragging rights. The virtual challenges which are available will have the same flags as the in-person challenges, allowing physical attendees the choice of hacking those challenges using either (or both) methods of access.

THE GAME

To score you will need to submit flags which will range from decoding transmissions in the spectrum, passphrases used to gain access to wireless access points, or even files located on servers. Once you capture the flag, submit it to the scoreboard right away, if you are confident it is correct. Flags worth more points for the early solves, so don’t sit on those flags. Offense and defense are fully in play by the participants, the RFCTF organizers, and the Conference itself. Play nice, and we might also play nice.

Who runs this thing?

RF Hackers Sanctuary is a group of all volunteers with expertise in radio security and various other related fields. We are the original creators of the WiFi Capture the Flag, Wireless Capture the Flag, and RF Capture the Flag. We are the original founders of the WiFi Village, Wireless Village, and RF Village. Often imitated, never duplicated.

TL;DR

Getting started guide: https://github.com/rfhs/rfhs-wiki/wiki
Helpful files (in-brief, wordlist, resources) can be found at https://github.com/rfhs/rfctf-files
Support tickets may be opened at https://github.com/rfhs/rfctf-support/issues

Our whole game is also open source and available at: https://github.com/rfhs/rfctf-container

Twitter: @rf_ctf and @rfhackers
Discord: https://discordapp.com/invite/JjPQhKy
Website: http://rfhackers.com – play with us
Github: https://github.com/rfhs

Official Support Ticketing System: https://github.com/rfhs/rfctf-support/issues