# NSA-Codebreaker: 2022 Challenges Intro [NSA codebreaker challenge] is an annual [Capture-The-Flag (CTF)] event hosted by National Security Agency (NSA). NSA runs the competition to introduce hacking and reversing practices in an accessible and student-friendly manner, attracting young talents. In the effort, NSA intends to increase its public presence and recognition. While it follows a general CTF format, each year's challenge depicts a realistic scenario relevant to NSA's daily tasks and core mission responsibilities. NSA also leverages the competition to hire young talents ready for their mission; if you solve and reach high enough levels, NSA will contact you, offering internship and job opportunities. The NSA Codebreaker challenge is a beginner-friendly CTF made from real-world threats and cyber incidents. If you have wanted to try CTF or look for a security career, this would be a great chance. We will also establish a Q&A channel via [CSG] [discord][CSG Discord]. ## How to start? ### 1. Register Codebreaker challenge with your UTD email * Visit the [NSA Codebreaker][NSA codebreaker challenge] and register yourself with *UTD email*.  ### 2. Share your progress with professor * If you do NSA codebreaker challenge as a part of your course assignment, you need to share your progress with your professor. 1. Click `Sharing` under your email on right-top.  2. Add your instructor's email address.  ## Scenario summary and background * This year's scenario assumes a ransomware campaign scenario where an attacker has penetrated an enterprise network. As an FBI agent, you will investigate the attack scene with various forensic and reversing techniques to trace the attacker and recover the encrypted assets. * To solve this year's challenges, you will need basic understandings on the following topics. - System security knowledge: E.g., Analysis of ELF binary image - Network security knowledge: E.g., VPN, web, and DNS security - Basic understanding of cryptography: Public Key Infrastructure, block ciphers We plan to run introductory sessions in both virtual and in-person format to prepare students with necessary background. <!-- * The ransomware attack has become a major threat posed by skilled and dedicated attackers. --> ## Where to find help? We plan on having a few introductory sessions to onboard students for the competition. Additionally, you will join the official Discord server run by NSA or join the [CSG Discord server][CSG Discord] and drop a note under the `#nsa-codebreaker` channel. Have fun CTFing! ## Basic challenges intro ### [Task A1, A2] (10 pt, 40 pt) ### [Task B1, B2] (10 pt, 100 pt) ## Intermediary challenges ### [Task 5] (500 pt) ### [Task 6] (150 pt) ### [Task 7] (300 pt) ## Advanced challenges ### [Task 8] (2000 pt) ### [Task 9] (5000 pt) ###### tags: `nsa`,`utd`,`intro`,`codebreaker`,`2022` [Capture-The-Flag (CTF)]:https://ctftime.org/ [NSA codebreaker challenge]:https://nsa-codebreaker.org/home [CSG]:https://csg.utdallas.edu/ [CSG Discord]:https://discord.gg/MYJxqKHF7U [Task A1, A2]:/s/lP-85hxfn [Task B1, B2]:/s/4eGe8AczJ [Task 5]:/s/1GWPympp6 [Task 6]:/s/PnSA0uJfy [Task 7]:/s/bE4ldRZrF [Task 8]:/s/QvzFev3Ie [Task 9]:/s/fp7IuiYwl