Capture the Flag '25

Base Competition
Year
2025
Eligibility

CSAW CTF is designed for students who are trying to break into the field of security, as well as advanced students and industry professionals who want to practice their skills.

Open to all skill levels. Teams compete within their respective global regions.

Challenge Details

CSAW CTF is one of the oldest and biggest CTFs with 1216 teams with 1+ points in 2021. Designed as an entry-level, jeopardy-style CTF, this competition is for students who are trying to break into the field of security, as well as for advanced students and industry professionals who want to practice their skills.

CSAW CTF occurs over two rounds: a 48-hour Qualifying Round in September and a 36-hour Final Round in November.

Rules

Full detailed rules are available here.

Challenge writers who are associated with or alumni of active teams have recused themselves from playing in or supporting teams playing in CSAW CTF.

Judging Criteria

Jeopardy-style scoring. Teams earn points by solving challenges across standard CTF categories. The team with the most points at the end of each round advances. 

Top teams from the Qualifying Round are invited to the Final Round.

Registration Guidelines

Register via the CTF platform. Teams compete within their respective global regions. 

Contact csawctf@osiris.cyber.nyu.edu for registration questions.

Submission Guidelines

Challenges are submitted through the CTF platform during the competition window. Flags must be submitted in the correct format as specified per challenge. All submissions are final once entered.

Timeline
Items
48-hour Qualifying round begins
UTC
ONLINE
Qualifying Round Ends
UTC
ONLINE
Finalist Notification
EST
End of September
36-hour Final Round Begins
EST
Hybrid mode, region dependent
Final Round Ends
EST
Note
All times listed in UTC or EST as noted per event. Final Round format (online vs in-person) depends on region.
Awards
1st
US-Canada: Trophy + recognition; MENA: $1000 USD; India: 30,000 INR; Europe: €500; Mexico: Ethical Hacking Essentials Certificate (EC-Council)
2nd
US-Canada: Recognition; MENA: $500 USD; India: 15,000 INR; Europe: €300; Mexico: Learning Kali Linux Book
3rd
MENA: $250 USD; India: 8,000 INR; Europe: €200; Mexico: 1TB HDD
Prize amounts vary by region.
MENA prizes: 1st $1000, 2nd $500 USD.
India prizes: 1st 30,000 INR, 2nd 15,000 INR, 3rd 8,000 INR.
Europe prizes: 1st €500, 2nd €300, 3rd €200.
Winners
1st
University of Hawaii, Georgia Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology
Nathan Wong
Andrew Effenhauser
Allen Chang
Tanush Madanbhavi
2nd
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, Northeastern University
Audrey Dutcher
Jennifer Miller
Xenia Dragon
Emmie Lum
3rd
University of Washington, University of California, Diablo Valley College
Ani Balaji
Chara
Kroot
Cope
Organizers & Judges
NYU OSIRIS Lab
Organizer
New York University
Global Lead
Email
csawctf@osiris.cyber.nyu.edu
Logo of OSIRIS Lab