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Introduction
GhostFrame: Leviathan is an advanced Capture The Flag (CTF) challenge designed to test real-world hacking skills in an immersive, story-driven environment. Created by Ryan Williams, this CTF drops participants into the role of a hacktivist operative infiltrating Acheron Corporation to uncover “Project Leviathan.” With AI-powered NPCs, complex networks, and multi-layered challenges, Leviathan pushes ethical hackers to their limits.
Learning Objectives
- Master OSINT techniques for reconnaissance and data harvesting.
- Exploit web vulnerabilities (LFI, command injection) and pivot through segmented networks.
- Analyze forensic artifacts (logs, databases, steganography) to uncover hidden flags.
You Should Know
- OSINT & Reconnaissance: Harvesting Credentials from Web Servers
Command (Linux – cURL & grep):
curl -s http://target-site.com/logs/access.log | grep -E "username|password|admin"
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Use `curl` to fetch a web server’s access log.
- Pipe (
|) the output into `grep` to filter for credentials or sensitive strings. - Example: Search for `admin` or `password` patterns in exposed logs.
2. Exploiting LFI (Local File Inclusion) Vulnerabilities
Command (Linux – Manual Exploit):
curl "http://vulnerable-site.com/page.php?file=../../../../etc/passwd"
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Identify a vulnerable parameter (e.g.,
?file=). - Traverse directories using `../` to access system files (
/etc/passwd). - Extract user lists or config files for further exploitation.
- Pivoting Through SSH with Dynamic Port Forwarding
Command (Linux – SSH Tunneling):
ssh -D 1080 user@compromised-host -Nf
Step-by-Step Guide:
– `-D 1080` sets up a SOCKS proxy on port 1080.
– `-Nf` runs SSH in the background without executing commands.
– Configure tools like `proxychains` to route traffic through the tunnel.
4. Decoding Steganography with Steghide
Command (Linux – Extract Hidden Data):
steghide extract -sf suspicious-image.jpg -p "found_password"
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Install `steghide` (
apt install steghide). - Use `-sf` to specify the image file.
- Provide a password (
-p) discovered during recon to extract hidden data.
5. Analyzing Logs for Attack Traces (Forensics)
Command (Linux – Filter Suspicious IPs):
cat /var/log/auth.log | grep "Failed password" | awk '{print $11}' | sort | uniq -c | sort -nr
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Parse `auth.log` for failed SSH attempts.
- Extract IPs (
awk '{print $11}'). - Count (
uniq -c) and sort (sort -nr) to identify brute-force attacks.
What Undercode Say
- Key Takeaway 1: Leviathan bridges the gap between CTFs and real-world adversarial simulations, making it ideal for red teamers.
- Key Takeaway 2: The inclusion of AI-driven NPCs and segmented networks forces hackers to think beyond scripted exploits.
Analysis:
Unlike traditional CTFs, Leviathan’s narrative-driven approach enhances engagement while teaching lateral movement, forensic analysis, and ICS security. The challenges mimic APT-style operations, preparing defenders for sophisticated attacks.
Prediction
As AI-powered red teaming grows, future CTFs will likely integrate generative AI for dynamic NPC interactions, further blurring the line between simulation and reality. Leviathan sets a precedent for immersive cybersecurity training, pushing the industry toward gamified threat emulation.
Ready to take on Leviathan?
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IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Ryan Williams – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
