😄😃😄😃😄 - Miscellaneous Challenge

Challenge Overview

Category: Miscellaneous
Difficulty: Easy
Skills Required: File Metadata Analysis, EXIF Data Extraction

Description

Is he nodding to the beat or the beat nodding to him 😄😃😄😃😄

This peculiar file with an unusual extension might seem like nothing special at first glance, but hidden within its metadata lies a secret message. The rhythmic emoji in the title might just be hinting at something more than meets the eye.

Files Provided

All challenge files can be downloaded from the GitHub Repository

Hints

Sometimes what you're looking for isn't in the content itself, but in the details surrounding it.

Solution

Analysis Approach

1. The challenge involves investigating a file with an unusual extension and emoji filename
2. The file's content isn't as important as its metadata
3. Using EXIF data extraction tools reveals hidden information in the file's metadata
4. The flag is stored in the file's Comment field

Metadata Extraction

# Use exiftool to extract metadata from the file

┌──(psychosherlock㉿fsociety)-[~/…/labs/mcscCTF25/misc/wtf]
└─$ exiftool 😄.wtf
ExifTool Version Number         : 13.10
File Name                       : 😄.wtf
Directory                       : .
File Size                       : 8.5 MB
File Modification Date/Time     : 2025:08:23 02:40:53+05:30
File Access Date/Time           : 2025:08:25 11:2
....
.....
Comment                         : mcsc{n0d_of_the_ring}
.....
....

Flag

mcsc{n0d_of_the_ring}

Author

Created by psychoSherlock

GitHub Repository: View Challenge on GitHub