snakeCTFIn order to be eligible for SnakeCTF Finals, participants must have qualified according to the SnakeCTF Quals Rules.
There is no limit on team size, however each team must elect at most 6 team representatives that will represent the team during SnakeCTF Finals. Participants may not take part in more than one team.
Agreeing to the Privacy Policy is also a requirement for eligibility.
On the first day of the competition team representatives of academic teams that benefit from free food and accomodation will need to show proof of enrollment, in the form of the student ID released by a recognized school or university. A student is defined as an individual who is enrolled in a school or university program either on the first day of SnakeCTF 2025 Quals, or on of the first day of SnakeCTF 2025 Finals. The student ID should clearly display the expected date of end of dematriculation, or date of end of validity of the ID.
In case a participant is unable to show such a student ID, they should, at least 7 days before the start of the competition, request their student status to be validated via an alternative document. The majority of team representatives (at least 4 out of 6) must be able to prove their academic status in order to obtain eligibility.
Teams should elect up to 6 team representatives when confirming participation to SnakeCTF Finals. Any further changes to the team representatives needs to be motivated and approved by SnakeCTF Staff.
Only the 6 team representatives will be allowed access to the game arena during the main SnakeCTF event. Any person that does not qualify as a team representative needs to leave the arena before the start of the main SnakeCTF event, and shall not enter into the game arena until the main SnakeCTF event is over. Any participant attempting unauthorized access to the game arena will result in immediate disqualification of the team whom they are associated with.
There is no strict limitation on the type of hardware that teams can bring into the arena before the start of the competition; including additional hardware that teams believe may be useful to solve hardware challenges. Hardware challenges are designed as to not create an incentive for players to bring bulky or expensive tools.
All equipment should be in all cases compliant with applicable regulation, and pose no danger to other participants. The use of soldering irons in the arena is restricted. Bringing lead-based solder is strictly forbidden. Bringing sharp or pointy objects (cutters, knifes, etc.) is strictly forbidden. Teams should ensure that their tables are at all times free of dangerous items, and that both SnakeCTF Staff and other participants can, in the event of an emergency, safely handle any item on the table.
No equipment should leave or enter the arena during the event, likewise no hardware challenge should be removed from the game arena, even if temporarily. Teams need to prepare their workstations before the start of the competition. Non electronic equipment (food, drinks, etc.) are exempt from this rule.
Cables in the arena will run on the floor, and will be adequately marked either by marker tape, or via cable passages. Participants should be aware of the situation and walk carefully, minding their own safety. It is forbidden to remove or tamper with cables, marker tape or cable passages.
Each team will have their own table, with one seat for each team representative. Tables will be provided with Ethernet access via one male 8P8C Ethernet connector, and one Type L 16A plug (Italian 16A plug). Tables are granted a maximum power allowance of 375W; teams may request additional power before the start of the competition, subject to availability. WiFi access to the game network will be provided on a best effort basis and only on the 5Ghz spectrum, via WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 compliant access points located in the game arena. Each team with 6 team representatives will also be granted access to a VPN, in order to access the game network from the public internet.
Participants should ensure that tables are clear of clutter at all times. Plates, and waste items should be removed as soon as possible. Food items (snacks, chip bags, etc.) should not be left visible on the table and, if present, must be covered. We also kindly ask participants to ensure tables are well-ordered and nice looking. We thank participants in advance for their collaboration.
We encourage participants that wish to bring team related flags or posters to do so in moderation and with respect for others. Please avoid overly large items that might block visibility, disturb the event or excessively affect pictures. If needed, SnakeCTF Staff may ask for adjustments to ensure everyone enjoys the experience. Displaying of brands or messages contrary to the SnakeCTF Code of Conduct on t-shirts and via any other item is not allowed.
Video and photo recordings will take place throughout the entire SnakeCTF 2025 Finals. Recordings may be carried out by SnakeCTF Staff as well as external partners, and are intended to promote current and future SnakeCTF events, both to the public and to our sponsors.
Participants who prefer not to appear on camera should inform the organizers well in advance of the competition. We will make reasonable effort to accommodate such requests.
In addition, recordings may also be made for security purposes.
All team representatives are required to be present in the game arena for at least 65% of the duration of the competition. This requirement may be adjusted by SnakeCTF Staff with further notice. Team representatives are not allowed to submit flags, or work on challenges when not in the game arena.
Upon entering the venue, team participants who are accomodated at the venue will be asked to show their IDs by the venue staff, as required by Italian law. Common practise among hotels, bnbs, and other accomodation facilities, is also to photocopy and store IDs or ask an ID scan to be sent in advance.
The Real World CTF is a side event in which participants solve real world puzzles around the city of Lignano Sabbiadoro. Unlike the main CTF event, it is not guaranteed that challenges can be solved without additional hardware, and SnakeCTF Staff will not provide any type of hardware to players. It is up to teams to perform OSINT on past editions and bring the most adequate set of tools for the RW CTF. Challenges are nonetheless designed as to not create an incentive for players to bring bulky or expensive tools.
In order to ensure fairness and safety of all participants, teams are not allowed to drive cars or any other vehicle requiring a driving licence during the RW CTF.
SnakeCTF Finals has a total prize pool of 1792 Euros. Prizes will be awarded during the award ceremony, to the top ranked teams of the SnakeCTF Finals.
Prizes are divided as following:
Prizes will be awarded in cash, wire transfer, or other method deemed suitable by SnakeCTF organizers.
Prizes may be subject to taxation according to applicable tax law.
During the competition, any of the following behaviours may result in immediate and final disqualification:
OSINT and GeoGuess challenges are intended to be solved without engaging with any human. Attempting to do so will be considered stalking and will result in an unappealable ban.
In case of suspicious activity, SnakeCTF organizers reserve the right to request writeups to selected teams. This request will be announced on the SnakeCTF Discord server. If this happens, participants may not discuss or share task solutions or hints before the writeup submission period is over.
Harassment and abuse are never tolerated. We are committed to inclusivity. We believe that every single person has the right to hack in a safe and welcoming environment.
If you are in a situation that makes you uncomfortable during SnakeCTF, if the SnakeCTF competition itself is creating an unsafe or inappropriate environment, or if interacting with a SnakeCTF staff member, SnakeCTF challenge author or SnakeCTF volunteer makes you uncomfortable, please report it using the procedures detailed thereafter.
Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, sexual images, deliberate intimidation, stalking, harassing recording of online meetings, and unwelcome sexual attention.
We expect participants to follow the policy at all times, including before and after the competition if interacting with or referencing a staff member, using the Discord server, or any other online space provided by us. Players that are publicly linked to or that publicly endorse harassing materials (e.g. hosting harassing content on a website, posting harassing content on social media, etc.) are not eligible to take part in SnakeCTF.
Players that engage in harassing behavior will be subject to any action deemed appropriate by SnakeCTF, including:
The same remedies may be applied to the entire team of which the harassing player is part of.
If you feel uncomfortable or think there may be a potential violation of the Code of Conduct, please report it immediately to the following people:
If you want to report harassment or any other uncomfortable situation that happened during SnakeCTF, and wish to stay anonymous, you can send an email from a temporary email address to info@madrhacks.org.