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SCSC2026 Quals - Meta - Forensics Writeup

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:

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

The flag is hidden in the Artist EXIF field.

Alternative Methods#

Terminal window
# Using strings
$ strings meta_logo.png | grep scsc
# Using grep directly on binary
$ grep -a "scsc" meta_logo.png
SCSC2026 Quals - Meta - Forensics Writeup
https://fuwari.vercel.app/posts/27/scsc2026-quals-meta-forensics-writeup/
Author
Light
Published at
2026-02-17
License
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0