How to Create a Downloadable File Challenge

Downloadable file challenges are ideal for tasks like forensics, steganography, reverse engineering, and more. Participants will download a file to analyze and solve the challenge. Here’s how to create one using the Simulations Labs platform.

Steps to Create a Downloadable File Challenge

1. Go to the Challenges Tab

From your dashboard, go to the Challenges tab in the sidebar.
 Click the “Create New Challenge” button.

2. Fill in the Challenge Details

Complete the following fields:

• Name
  
  

• Category
  
  

• Tags
   Select from the dropdown the relevant keywords like pcap, malware, strings.
  
  

• Level
   Select difficulty: Basic, Easy, Medium, Hard or Advanced.
  
  

• Duration 
  Suggested time to solve (in minutes).
  
  

• Points
   Set the challenge's score.
  Example: 200
  
  

• Solution
   Enter the correct flag or answer.
   Example: flag{dns_tunnel_detected}
  
  

• Description
   Write the challenge prompt and any necessary context.
  Example:
  We captured suspicious traffic from an internal network. Download the PCAP file and determine the domain used for data exfiltration.
  
  

3. Upload Downloadable file or Insert File Link

You have two options for adding the downloadable file required for the challenge:

Option 1: Upload File

• Use the Downloadable File input to upload the file that participants will need to download and analyze.

  Supported formats include: .zip, .pcap, .jpg, .exe, .txt, and more.

Option 2: Insert Link

• Use the Link input to provide a direct URL to the file instead of uploading it.

Note: If you both upload a file and insert a link, the uploaded file will override the link.

4. Save and Preview

Once all details are entered:

• Click “Save” to store the challenge.
  
  

• You can go to the Preview tab to see how the challenge will appear to participants before assigning it to a CTF.