m00nwalk
Problem
Decode this message from the moon. You can also find the file in /problems/m00nwalk_6_811c5485a374101cc212434dc2601130.
Solution
The hint suggests that this is related to how images from the moon landing were transmitted back to earth. Some research leads to SSTV. Note: Originally I solved this challenge using this program for Windows but since then I found an easier way that works within Kali Linux (see next step).
This tutorial (Archive) explains how to convert the audio file to an image.
Install
qsstv
withapt-get install qsstv
Run
pactl load-module module-null-sink sink_name=virtual-cable
Run
pavucontrol
. A GUI will pop-up, go to the "Output Devices" tab to verify that you have the "Null Output" device.Run
qsstv
. The program GUI will pop-up, go to "Options" -> "Configuration" -> "Sound" and select the "PulseAudio" Audio InterfaceBack in the
pavucontrol
GUI, select the "Recording" tab and specify that QSSTV should capture audio from the Null OutputThe hint asked "What is the CMU mascot?" - the answer is "Scotty the Scottie Dog". This hinted that we should select "Scottie 1" as QSSTV's "Mode". Select "Auto Slant" as well.
Unload the virtual audio cable so audio will play normally:
Flag
picoCTF{beep_boop_im_in_space}
Last updated