Between the Lines
🔍 Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Challenge Name | Between the Lines |
| Category | Forensics |
| Difficulty | 🟠 Medium |
| Flag | F4H{ckRHDZxCaL**********} |
📝 Description
Images can say more than meets the eye—sometimes, it’s about what’s written rather than what’s shown.
📥 Download mystery.jpg
🧩 Hints
- If something doesn't look the way you expect in metadata, maybe it's worth a closer look.
💡 Solution
This challenge involves hidden data embedded in the metadata of the image.
Steps to solve:
- Open the image using an online EXIF viewer such as Exif.tools (opens in a new tab).
- Look through the metadata fields — in this case, check the field labeled XP Comment.
- You’ll find a Base64-encoded string:
RjRIe2NrUkhEWnhDYUxYc0RBNE1HTXBTfQ==
- Decode it using a Base64 decoder (e.g., CyberChef or dCode (opens in a new tab))
📚 Insights
This challenge introduces the concept of steganography through metadata — hiding data not in the pixels of the image, but in the metadata fields.
- Metadata in image files (e.g., EXIF, IPTC, XMP) can contain useful information such as camera model, GPS location, and in some cases, user-added comments.
- In real-world digital forensics, metadata analysis is crucial for detecting tampering, tracing file origins, or uncovering hidden information.
This type of analysis teaches players how to go beyond what they see and look beneath the surface, which is a valuable mindset in both cybersecurity and digital investigation.