MalQuest 2.0

Objective:

- MALQUEST 2.0 is a hands-on cyber investigation challenge designed to simulate a real-world cybersecurity incident. Participants take on the role of investigators and use digital evidence, OSINT, malware analysis, and digital forensics to investigate an incident and reconstruct what happened.

The primary objectives are to:

• Investigate suspicious digital activity and identify relevant indicators.
• Analyse files, domains, hashes, emails, and other digital evidence.
• Use cybersecurity tools to investigate and validate findings.
• Perform basic static malware analysis.
• Examine forensic artifacts from a compromised system.
• Correlate evidence from multiple sources.
• Reconstruct the sequence of events accurately.
• Draw conclusions based on evidence rather than assumptions.

Event Highlights:

• Real-world inspired cyber investigation scenario
• Hands-on cybersecurity challenges
• OSINT and digital investigation
• Cryptography and encoded clues
• Static malware analysis
• Digital forensics
• System and network artifact investigation
• Evidence correlation and incident reconstruction
• Exposure to industry-relevant cybersecurity tools
• Competitive scoring based on accuracy and time
• Progressive difficulty suitable for participants with different levels of experience

Team Formation:

• Each team must consist of 2 members.
• Participants must register as a team.
• Both team members are expected to actively participate throughout the event.
• The team will be treated as a single unit for scoring and qualification.

Rules and Guidelines:

• Teams must report to the venue before 8:15 am
• Collaboration or sharing solutions between teams is strictly prohibited.
• Participants must not attempt to disrupt, damage, or interfere with event infrastructure, systems, or networks.
• Any intentional exploitation outside the scope of the designated challenge environment is prohibited.
• Participants must follow instructions provided by the event coordinators and technical team.
• Scores may be determined based on accuracy, completion, and time.
• The organizers' decision regarding scoring, qualification, and disqualification will be final.

Important Notes:

• Basic cybersecurity knowledge is recommended, but extensive professional experience is not required.
• Participants should approach the challenges through investigation and evidence analysis rather than guesswork.
• Participants should bring their own laptops
• Participants are responsible for ensuring that their systems are functional and ready before the event.
• Any additional technical requirements, files, or access credentials will be communicated by the organizers.

Event Details:

• Event: MALQUEST 2.0
• Date: 9 September, 2026
• Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Duration: 4 Hours
• Team Size: 2 Members
• Registration Fee:  ₹200 per team (100/- per head)
• 1st Prize: ₹5,000
• 2nd Prize: ₹3,000
• 3rd Prize: ₹2,000
• Venue: TBA

Tools and Technologies:

• Participants may encounter or work with:
• CyberChef, Google Dorking, Wappalyzer, Shodan, VirusTotal, PEview, PEiD / Detect It Easy, Strings / FLOSS, Autopsy, and other relevant investigation tools.

Final Note:

- MALQUEST 2.0 is not simply about finding an answer. Participants are expected to investigate the available evidence, connect the clues, validate their findings, and build a logical explanation of the incident.

Investigate. Analyse. Uncover.