networking

Analyze PCAP captures for data exfiltration and protocol misuse.

7|1|Updated Dec 15, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/kiwamizamurai/cctf --skill networking
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: networking
Source: https://github.com/kiwamizamurai/cctf/tree/main/.claude/skills/networking
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/kiwamizamurai/cctf --skill networking

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes reference (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you analyze network captures to quickly identify protocols, conversations, and potential data exfiltration, reducing manual packet inspection time.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Protocol overview: Gain high-level visibility of captured traffic (e.g., HTTP, DNS, FTP) to prioritize investigation.
  • Conversation tracing: Follow TCP streams and inspect relevant conversations to locate credentials or flags.
  • Traffic forensics: Detect suspicious patterns, exfiltration, or unusual flows in large PCAPs.

Quick Start

To start, run your PCAP through basic inspection and then search for obvious flag indicators, e.g.:

  • tshark -r capture.pcap -z io,phs
  • strings capture.pcap | grep -i flag

Frequently Asked Questions about networking

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I analyze PCAP files to detect data exfiltration?

Data exfiltration detection in PCAP captures involves running protocol analysis with tshark to identify unusual traffic patterns, then using grep and strings to search for credential leaks or suspicious data flows. tshark's stream-following and object-export features isolate relevant conversations for manual inspection.

What's the best way to extract flags and credentials from network traffic captures?

Extract flags and credentials from PCAPs by combining tshark protocol inspection with text-processing utilities. Run tshark to follow TCP streams across HTTP, DNS, and FTP protocols, then pipe output through grep and awk to match flag patterns or credential formats in captured payloads.

Can I use Wireshark workflows with command-line tools for traffic forensics?

Yes. tshark (Wireshark's CLI) integrates seamlessly with command-line toolchains for traffic forensics. Use tshark to parse PCAP files and extract protocol overviews, streams, and objects, then combine with grep, awk, and sed for automated credential discovery and exfiltration pattern detection.

How do I identify suspicious protocols and conversations in large PCAP files?

Gain protocol visibility in large PCAPs using tshark's io.phs statistics to enumerate HTTP, DNS, FTP, and ICMP traffic. Filter by protocol and conversation count, then follow individual TCP streams to isolate suspicious flows and detect unusual protocol misuse or data exfiltration.

What tools do I need to perform packet-level analysis on network captures?

Packet-level analysis requires tshark for PCAP parsing and stream extraction, capinfos for capture metadata, and standard text utilities (grep, awk, sed, strings) for filtering and pattern matching. These tools enable protocol overview, credential discovery, and flag detection without manual Wireshark inspection.

When should I use traffic forensics instead of live packet monitoring?

Use traffic forensics on PCAP captures when investigating past incidents, security exercises, or archived network data. PCAP analysis lets you replay and re-examine traffic patterns without live overhead, making it ideal for exfiltration detection, protocol compliance checks, and credential audits.