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MITRE eCTF: A DECADE OF DOMINANCE! 

This year, MITRE celebrates the 10th annual Embedded Capture the Flag (eCTF) competition, where innovation meets cybersecurity in a thrilling collegiate battle of wits and technology.  

Each year, competitors work to push the boundaries of embedded systems security, as teams from academic institutions around the globe converge to design, defend, and attack embedded systems across 13 weeks of competition.  

Over the past 10 years, eCTF participation has grown from four schools – Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Connecticut, and Northeastern University – to nearly 100 schools, hosting over 800 students in 2024. 

2024 Winners

  • First Place Overall: Carnegie Mellon University, $10,000
  • Second Place Overall: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, $5,000
  • Third Place Overall: Purdue University, $2,500
  • Top High School: Delaware Area Career Center, $2,500
  • Best Poster: Purdue University, $2,500
  • Responsible Disclosure: Carnegie Mellon University, $2,500

Real-World Hacking 

At the heart of the eCTF challenge lies the thrill of tackling real-world scenarios. Students dive into the minds of adversaries, devising ingenious methods to attack devices that ordinary people use every day. Check out the hardware our competitors have skillfully exploited and defended in past eCTFs below. 

  • 2016 PIN Door Lock System 
  • 2017 Self-Driving Car Bootloader 
  • 2018 ATM-Bank System  
  • 2019 Video Game Console  
  • 2020 Audio Digital Rights Management  
  • 2021 UAV Package Delivery Communications 
  • 2022 Secure Avionic Bootloader  
  • 2023 Secure Car Key Fob  
  • 2024 Medical Device  
  • 2025 Satellite TV 

By ingeniously blending hardware and software exploration, eCTF competitors gain skills far beyond the typical cybersecurity curriculum. Their thrilling journey is bolstered by dedicated MITRE staff and passionate volunteers, with expert guidance from benefactors like Fortinet, ensuring they excel through every phase of the competition. 

2025 Competition Details

Interested in participating in the eCTF? Here’s how to get started:

YOUR Cybersecurity Legacy 

Whether you’re a seasoned competition-watcher or a newcomer eager to support your alma mater, the eCTF welcomes you. We encourage you to share the launch of eCTF with your social media network or even put us in touch with a past professor.  We would love to get them into eCTF.  

Use this message on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) to help us spread the word: 

Each year @MITRECorp eCTF competition engages the nation’s most talented #cybersecurity students and provides a window into the next generation of the cyberworkforce. This is why I’m calling on my school @SCHOOL to sign up! We can win this! Registration now open: https://share.hsforms.com/1CD8GyZ1xRuqrVQOxvzq4mg4m7ji 

As we look ahead to the future, the 2025 MITRE eCTF represents not just a competition, but a unique opportunity for academic institutions to stand at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. By participating, we empower students to hone their skills, foster teamwork, and engage with some of the brightest minds in the field. This is more than just a challenge; it’s a chance to make a mark on the world of embedded systems security and to bring pride and recognition to your school.  

We are also interested in competition sponsors. Please visit the Sponsors Page for more information!

Help us seize this moment to inspire, to learn, and to lead.  

© 2024 MITRE Engenuity, LLC. Approved for Public Release. Document number ME0138.