025 - Chatting with NEW DEF CON CTF Organizers: Benevolent Bureau of Birds

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode, adamd and Zardus interview the Benevolent Bureau of Birds (BBB), new DEF CON CTF organizers! Vie, Robert Xiao, Zaratec, Bluepichu, and MountainRose join us to discuss Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions in the era of AI and large language models. The conversation covers the history, challenges, and future adaptations of CTFs amidst technological advancements. This episode explores the evolving landscape of CTF in the age of AI, community building, and innovative challenge design. Experts discuss the impact of AI on challenge fairness, community engagement, and future directions for cybersecurity competitions. Links DEFCON CTF BBB Official Site Plaid CTF

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episod, adamd and Zardus interview THE Fish from Shellphish and angr, a prominent figure in the CTF community. They discuss Fish’s journey into CTFs, his experiences with Shellphish, and the evolution of CTF challenges. Fish shares insights on the importance of reversing skills, the development of the angr decompiler, and the impact of CTFs on learning and personal growth. The conversation also touches on the future of reversing in the context of LLMs and the ongoing relevance of CTFs in the cybersecurity landscape.

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode, adamd and Zardus welcome Robert Xiao, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia and a seasoned CTF player. The conversation explores Robert’s journey from a background in human-computer interaction to becoming a prominent figure in the CTF community. They discuss his early experiences with game hacking, the challenges of CTFs, and how these experiences have influenced his research and professional development. The episode highlights the importance of community and collaboration in the CTF space, as well as the intersection of technical skills and human factors in computer science. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the hacker mentality and its significance in research and development. They discuss the differences in mindset between various research fields, the importance of innovation through hacking, and the balance between competitive programming and academic research. The conversation also touches on the evolution of Capture The Flag (CTF) teams, the impact of teaching on students, and the personal journeys of the speakers in the realm of security research and challenges. Links Robert’s website

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode, adamd and Zardus talk finally talk to Vie from Maple Bacon / MMM in an environment where we can actually hear her. We discuss the evolution of CTF teams, the importance of community and mentorship, and the journey of Vie from a competitive gamer to a key player in the CTF scene. Links Google CTF CTF Radiooo 006 with sirdarckcat CTF Radiooo 016 interview with Vie

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode, which seems to be an annual tradition, adamd and Zardus report LIVE from DEF CON 33 about the AIxCC results, first alone then together with Andrew Carney and Perri Adams, the key people involved in creating and running the AIxCC. Links AIxCC @ DEF CON 33 Open-source AIxCC Systems

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this unconventional episode adamd surprises Zardus with Adam’s mom Karlene and musician Swardy, to discuss a new collaboration of the CTF Radiooo theme song. The conversation explores the creative process behind the collaboration, insights into music production, and the importance of community and DIY ethos in artistic endeavors. In the normal episode, adamd and Zardus reflect on their interviews with all the AIxCC teams. They explore the impact of AI on the field, the importance of team dynamics, and the challenges faced in software testing and development. The conversation highlights the diversity of approaches taken by different teams and the lessons learned from the discussion of the competition. Links Swardy’s Secret Sky Set Swardy’s Compact Objects Animated Short Swardy on Spotify

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode adamd and Zardus chat with Jeff Huang, Ze Sheng, and Qingxiao Xu from the AIxCC team all_you_need_is_a_fuzzing_brain about their AIxCC final submission. We discuss the innovative use of an AI-focused approach in their CRS. The conversation also highlights the significance of static analysis, performance metrics, and the future of cyber reasoning systems in the context of ongoing advancements in AI. We discuss the importance of local models, strategies for vulnerability detection, and the complexities of patching. Links OS lab

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode adamd and Zardus chat with Michael Brown and Evan Downing from the AIxCC team Trail of Bits about their AIxCC final submisson. Trail of Bits discusses their experiences and insights from participating in the AIxCC competition. They discuss the dynamics of their team, the development of their Cyber Reasoning System (CRS) named Buttercup, and the importance of open-source contributions. The discussion highlights the role of fuzzing and contextualization in vulnerability discovery and patching, as well as the integration of large language models in their processes. The team emphasizes the significance of resource management and efficiency in the competition, and they share their vision for future research and applications in the field. They emphasize the importance of choosing the right tools, adapting to evolving standards, and the complexity of their multi-agent system. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in their processes, their strategies for submitting patches, and reflections on their experiences during the competition. Links Trail of Bits Buttercup blog post

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode adamd and Zardus chat with Taesoo Kim, Minwoo Baek, HyungSeok Han, and Hanqing Zhao from the AIxCC Team Atlanta about their AIxCC final submisson. Team Atlanta discusses their experiences and strategies in the AIxCC. They discuss team dynamics, communication methods, and the structure of their Cyber Reasoning System, which includes multiple components for different programming languages. The team shares insights on their innovative patching strategies, the use of large language models, and the challenges they faced during the competition. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and the integration of AI in cybersecurity. Links Team Atlanta

Youtube Video of podcast Shownotes and Links In this episode adamd and Zardus chat with David Musliner, Mike Pelican, and Matt McLure from team LACROSSE from SIFT on their AIxCC submission. The conversation covers the team’s background, their experiences in previous competitions, and the architecture of their Cyber Reasoning System (CRS). They discuss the implications of open-sourcing their system, the dynamics of teamwork, and the innovative use of AI in cybersecurity. The episode dives into the technical aspects of their system, including agent communication, task processing, and patch generation, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in their competition journey. The LACROSSE team discusses their experiences and challenges faced during the AI Cyber Challenge, focusing on vulnerability assessment, patch submission, and the role of LLMs in cybersecurity. They explore the complexities of zero-day vulnerabilities, the strategies employed for patching, and the lessons learned from the competition. The team emphasizes the importance of effective collaboration, the evolving capabilities of AI, and the future potential of combining symbolic reasoning with LLMs. Links SIFT