m00nwalk
Last updated
Last updated
Decode this message from the moon. You can also find the file in /problems/m00nwalk_6_811c5485a374101cc212434dc2601130.
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
with apt-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 Interface
Back in the pavucontrol
GUI, select the "Recording" tab and specify that QSSTV should capture audio from the Null Output
The 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.
Run paplay -d virtual-cable message.wav
to create the image:
Unload the virtual audio cable so audio will play normally:
picoCTF{beep_boop_im_in_space}