Using MCP to solve a CTF Challenge | Hack The Box
Source: YouTube · Hack The Box · published Jun 18, 2025 · 17:22
The video demonstrates using AI with Model Context Protocol (MCP) to solve a CTF security challenge 0:00-0:12.
Key Takeaways:
• The presenter configures MCP with CTF in Visual Studio Code and uses the copilot agent 0:12-0:26
• After joining a "pawn box" challenge, the AI helps download and examine challenge files in a Docker container 1:37-3:12
• Several attempts are needed to properly configure the container and install necessary tools for analysis 3:01-6:13
• The AI helps identify and decrypt a password which leads to finding the flag 13:44-16:38
• Despite successfully solving the challenge, the flag submission is marked as incorrect, possibly due to using a dev server 17:03-17:18
The demonstration shows both the potential and limitations of using AI with MCP for solving security challenges.
Sources:
- 0:00-0:12 Introduction to AI and MCP for CTF challenges
- 0:12-0:26 MCP configuration with CTF in VS Code
- 1:37-3:12 Setting up Docker container and downloading files
- 3:01-6:13 Container configuration and tool installation issues
- 13:44-16:38 Finding and executing the flag
- 17:03-17:18 Flag submission and conclusion
Generate CPE Credits
Generate a professional CPE document from this video's transcript.
Estimated credit: 0.5 CPE hours
Estimate uses the video runtime (1 hour ≈ 1 CPE, rounded to the nearest 0.5, minimum 0.5, maximum 2.0). The final amount can be lower after review, never higher.
Topic: Cybersecurity. Commonly maps to: Security and Risk Management, Security Operations. Exact CISSP domains are assigned during generation.
Free account. One generation at a time, with a daily limit.
CPEBuddy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by ISC2, ISACA, or any certification body. Exports are formatted for common CPE submissions; acceptance is at your certification body's discretion.
Transcript Preview
First 800 characters of the transcript
Hi, I'm going to try to solve a CTF challenge today using the help of AI and model context protocol or uh as we known as MCP. Uh I've already configured MCP with CTF on Visual Studio Code and all I have to do now is I need to select agent here in the copilot. This window appears from this toggle and let's start. So let's see uh which CDF events are currently running. [Applause] So I can see that uh AI is uh using the tools offered by the MCP server that we've built. Let's start to play the first one. Uh I say that I want to participate in pawn box. Oh, I'm already a member. Let's see the challenges. Awesome. Let's try to run somewhere. [Applause] So I'm uh asking to start this continue. Oh, there's a container. I need to download the file. Okay. Write a curl command to download the file. […