The ROLE OF CAPTURE-THE-FLAG (CTF) CHALLENGES IN CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND TRAINING: ANALYSIS OF THE "EDITORIAL" MACHINE

Abstract

Cybersecurity threats c­ontinue to evolve, requiring continuous improvements in training methodologies. Traditional theoretical education in cybersecurity often lacks practical engagement, leading to a skills gap in real-world security operations. Capture-the-Flag (CTF) challenges have emerged as an effective method for developing critical cybersecurity skills, offering participants a hands-on approach to penetration testing, network security, and privilege escalation techniques.

This study explores the educational value of CTF challenges by analyzing the "Editorial" machine from the Hack The Box platform. The article provides a structured walkthrough, detailing key phases such as reconnaissance, exploitation, and privilege escalation. The exploitation phase demonstrates the identification of SQL injection vulnerabilities, while the privilege escalation phase highlights the risks of misconfigured Git repositories and sudo permissions.

A scientific analysis of these vulnerabilities is presented, emphasizing their implications for real-world cybersecurity threats. The study also includes defensive strategies to mitigate such risks, advocating for secure coding practices, privilege management, and automated security audits. Additionally, the integration of CTF challenges into professional cybersecurity training is discussed, reinforcing their effectiveness in improving problem-solving skills and real-world preparedness.

The findings support the growing role of CTFs in cybersecurity education and professional development. Future research may focus on enhancing the realism of CTF exercises, improving automation for skill assessment, and integrating these challenges into structured cybersecurity curricula. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, CTFs continue to play a vital role in developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce.