SCSC2026 Quals - Meta - Forensics Writeup

[!NOTE] CTF CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

CTF Event: SCSC 2026

Category: Writeup

Difficulty: [EASY]

Tools Used: Python 3, Linux CLI

Author / Writeup: LIGHT

Category: Forensics

File: meta_logo.png

Flag: scsc26{m3t4_d4t4_d1_im4gE}

Challenge Description#

A PNG image file that contains hidden information.

Analysis#

The challenge name “Meta” hints at metadata. Image files often contain EXIF metadata that can store various information including hidden data.

Solution#

Simply use exiftool to examine the image metadata:

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$ exiftool meta_logo.png
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ExifTool Version Number         : 13.10
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File Name                       : meta_logo.png
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Directory                       : .
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File Size                       : 4.3 kB
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File Type                       : PNG
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File Type Extension             : png
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MIME Type                       : image/png
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Image Width                     : 300
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Image Height                    : 168
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Bit Depth                       : 8
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Color Type                      : Palette
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Compression                     : Deflate/Inflate
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Filter                          : Adaptive
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Interlace                       : Noninterlaced
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Artist                          : scsc26{m3t4_d4t4_d1_im4gE}
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Image Size                      : 300x168
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Megapixels                      : 0.050

The flag is hidden in the Artist EXIF field.

Alternative Methods#

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# Using strings
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$ strings meta_logo.png | grep scsc
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# Using grep directly on binary
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$ grep -a "scsc" meta_logo.png