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271fb63d SB |
1 | author: yano |
2 | date: 2014-04-26 18:05:01+00:00 | |
3 | slug: april-1st-2014-followup | |
4 | title: April 1st 2014, Followup | |
d7dd9d5b SB |
5 | --- |
6 | ||
7 | It's been almost too long for this blog post to arrive here after the April Fools quiz this year. Thanks to everyone who participated! | |
271fb63d SB |
8 | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | The first ten people who completed the challenges are, in descending order of aprilness: | |
12 | ||
13 | (times are listed in UTC) | |
14 | ||
15 | ||
16 | ||
17 | ||
18 | ||
19 | ||
20 | ||
21 | ||
22 | 1. 2014-04-02T18:25:17 booto | |
23 | ||
24 | 2014-04-02T23:36:53 Fuchs * | |
25 | ||
26 | 2. 2014-04-03T00:29:29 furry | |
27 | ||
28 | ||
29 | 3. 2014-04-03T01:34:18 mniip | |
30 | ||
31 | ||
32 | 4. 2014-04-03T09:41:38 jojo | |
33 | ||
34 | ||
35 | 5. 2014-04-03T16:29:51 redi | |
36 | ||
37 | ||
38 | 6. 2014-04-03T18:57:21 BlueShark | |
39 | ||
40 | ||
41 | 7. 2014-04-04T15:33:24 larinadavid | |
42 | ||
43 | ||
44 | 8. 2014-04-04T22:27:20 Omniflux | |
45 | ||
46 | ||
47 | 9. 2014-04-04T23:02:19 apoc | |
48 | ||
49 | ||
50 | 10. 2014-04-04T23:13:02 thommey | |
51 | ||
52 | ||
53 | ||
54 | ||
55 | _(*) user opted out of any prizes_ | |
56 | ||
57 | There were 25 additional nicks who completed the quiz and made it to the winner's circle but weren't fast enough to place in the top 10. | |
58 | ||
59 | ||
60 | ||
61 | The prizes were cloaks for those in the top-10. In addition to the top-10 cloaks everyone else who finished the challenge that 'opted-in' were eligible for the _cloak lottery_. This was a lottery for 3 runnerup cloaks. | |
62 | ||
63 | ||
64 | ||
65 | Out of the 25 additional people that completed the challenge, the following 3 won a cloak through the cloak lottery: | |
66 | ||
67 | ||
68 | ||
69 | ||
70 | * skasturi | |
71 | ||
72 | ||
73 | * danielg4 | |
74 | ||
75 | ||
76 | * jojoa1997 | |
77 | ||
78 | ||
79 | ||
80 | ||
81 | ||
82 | ||
83 | Here are the riddles and their solutions, in the original order: | |
84 | ||
85 | ||
86 | ||
87 | ||
88 | ||
89 | ||
90 | ||
91 | * Level 0 | |
92 | ||
93 | ||
94 | * The clue was given in the [April 1st blog post](http://blog.freenode.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/freenode41.png): _IyMjI3hrY2Q=_ | |
95 | ||
96 | ||
97 | * That is the string `"####xkcd"` encoded using [base64](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64). | |
98 | ||
99 | * The answer: **####xkcd**, which was the first channel in the quiz. | |
100 | ||
101 | ||
102 | ||
103 | ||
104 | ||
105 | ||
106 | * Level 1 | |
107 | ||
108 | ||
109 | * Clue: _Tnl2cHItbmFxLU9iby1qbnl4LXZhZ2Itbi1vbmU=_ | |
110 | ||
111 | ||
112 | * This is a [rot13](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROT13)'ed and base64'ed string. | |
113 | ||
114 | ||
115 | * In [Python](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_%28programming_language%29): `"Tnl2cHItbmFxLU9iby1qbnl4LXZhZ2Itbi1vbmU=".decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
116 | ||
117 | ||
118 | * The answer: **####Alice-and-Bob-walk-into-a-bar** | |
119 | ||
120 | ||
121 | ||
122 | ||
123 | ||
124 | ||
125 | * Level 2 | |
126 | ||
127 | ||
128 | * Clue: _MKWkpKMa_ | |
129 | ||
130 | ||
131 | * This is another string that is encoded with a series of base64 and rot13 transformations. | |
132 | ||
133 | ||
134 | * In Python: `"MKWkpKMa".decode('rot13').decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
135 | ||
136 | ||
137 | * The answer: **####reddit** | |
138 | ||
139 | ||
140 | ||
141 | ||
142 | ||
143 | ||
144 | * Level 3 | |
145 | ||
146 | ||
147 | * Clue: _SHg5RkR4SUpIeHFGSnlXVUlJSVFJeHFKCg== | Save this for a later level: [https://i.imgur.com/87cX9y4.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/87cX9y4.jpg) | 4 decodes needed_ | |
148 | ||
149 | ||
150 | * Yet another string encoded with a series of base64 and rot13 transformations. | |
151 | ||
152 | ||
153 | * In Python: `"SHg5RkR4SUpIeHFGSnlXVUlJSVFJeHFKCg==".decode('base64').decode('rot13').decode('base64').decode('rot13')` | |
154 | ||
155 | ||
156 | * This yields: EBEORIETEMETHHPITI | |
157 | ||
158 | ||
159 | * Contestants were expected to do a web search for this and find out it is the end of the [Zodiac Killer's infamous message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zodiac_cipher.png). | |
160 | ||
161 | ||
162 | * The answer: **####zodiac** | |
163 | ||
164 | ||
165 | ||
166 | ||
167 | ||
168 | ||
169 | * Level 4 | |
170 | ||
171 | ||
172 | * Clue: _[https://i.imgur.com/x4nejBh.png](https://i.imgur.com/x4nejBh.png) | LaTeX right direction | [Google!](https://lmsptfy.com/?q=alternatives%20to%20Google%20searching) | No maths needed_ | |
173 | ||
174 | ||
175 | * The topic changed several times as contestants seemed pretty stumped on this level, the topic line above was its final form. | |
176 | ||
177 | ||
178 | * The answer: **####exner** - this was expected from figuring out what the equation is. Simply put, the equation in the image is [Exner's Equation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PaolaExnerEqnRock.jpg). | |
179 | ||
180 | ||
181 | ||
182 | ||
183 | ||
184 | ||
185 | * Level 5 | |
186 | ||
187 | ||
188 | * Clue: _[https://i.imgur.com/SandvWX.gif](https://i.imgur.com/SandvWX.gif) | Save this for a later level: [https://i.imgur.com/QpTubts.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/QpTubts.jpg)_ | |
189 | ||
190 | ||
191 | * This level was pretty tricky. This is an image that has more to it than meets the eye. | |
192 | ||
193 | ||
194 | * Steps for recovering useful information: | |
195 | ||
196 | ||
197 | * Un[zip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip_%28file_format%29) the [.gif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_Interchange_Format) | |
198 | ||
199 | ||
200 | * Open the secret.txt file. | |
201 | ||
202 | ||
203 | ||
204 | ||
205 | ||
206 | * Inside secret.txt is: ####Kolmogorov | |
207 | ||
208 | ||
209 | * The answer: **####Kolmogorov** | |
210 | ||
211 | ||
212 | ||
213 | ||
214 | ||
215 | ||
216 | * Level 6 | |
217 | ||
218 | ||
219 | * Clue: _[https://www.dropbox.com/s/emz7xy3p9r2ivxe/wat.unknown](https://www.dropbox.com/s/emz7xy3p9r2ivxe/wat.unknown) (verify the file, sha256sum: 0efade1bb29d1b7fdd65e5612159e262cbd41a2e27ed89a0144701a5556da68f)_ | |
220 | ||
221 | ||
222 | * This file is more stenography: | |
223 | ||
224 | ||
225 | * Use '[file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_%28command%29)' to determine what the file type is. | |
226 | ||
227 | ||
228 | * Un-[7zip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Zip) the .unknown file | |
229 | ||
230 | ||
231 | * Base64 decode the output | |
232 | ||
233 | ||
234 | * Use 'file' to determine that the output is a [.jpg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG) | |
235 | ||
236 | ||
237 | * Unzip the .jpg | |
238 | ||
239 | ||
240 | * Un[tar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tar_%28computing%29) two.tar.[gz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gzip) | |
241 | ||
242 | ||
243 | * Open the surprised.txt file. | |
244 | ||
245 | ||
246 | ||
247 | ||
248 | ||
249 | * The content of surprised.txt is: ####ImSoMetaEvenThisAcronym | |
250 | ||
251 | ||
252 | * The answer: **####ImSoMetaEvenThisAcronym** | |
253 | ||
254 | ||
255 | ||
256 | ||
257 | ||
258 | ||
259 | * Level 7 | |
260 | ||
261 | ||
262 | * Clue: _AQwPfPN1ZBXNfvNj4bPmVR4fVQYPfPNlZBXNfvNkAP4jZhXNflOS and "Da Vinci" | Jules Verne | s/.02/.03/ in the decrypted text | |
263 | _ | |
264 | ||
265 | * The clue is base64'ed and rot13'ed. To decode it in Python: `print "AQwPfPN1ZBXNfvNj4bPmVR4fVQYPfPNlZBXNfvNkAP4jZhXNflOS".decode('rot13').decode('base64')` | |
266 | ||
267 | ||
268 | * This yields: 48° 50′ 0″ N, 2° 20′ 14.02″ E | |
269 | ||
270 | ||
271 | * These are GPS coordinates for the [Paris meridian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Meridian). | |
272 | ||
273 | ||
274 | * From this and the "Da Vinci" clue contestants were expected to find the [Wikipedia](https://www.wikipedia.org/) page about the [Rose Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Line). | |
275 | ||
276 | ||
277 | * The specific quote that contestants were suppose to find: | |
278 | ||
279 | "Dan Brown simply invented the 'Rose Line' linking Rosslyn and Glastonbury. The name 'Roslin' definitely does not derive from any 'hallowed Rose Line'. It has nothing to do with a 'Rose Bloodline' or a 'Rose Line meridian'. There are many medieval spellings of 'Rosslyn'. 'Roslin' is certainly not the 'original spelling': it is now the most common spelling for the village."[18] | |
280 | ||
271fb63d SB |
281 | |
282 | ||
283 | * The "Jules Verne" clue is suppose to reaffirm to contestants that they were on the right track: | |
284 | ||
285 | The competition between the Paris and Greenwich meridians is a plot element in Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", published just before the international decision in favor of the British one. | |
286 | ||
271fb63d SB |
287 | |
288 | ||
289 | * The answer: **####roslin** | |
290 | ||
291 | ||
292 | ||
293 | ||
294 | ||
295 | ||
296 | * Level 8 | |
297 | ||
298 | ||
299 | * Original topic: Clue: _ZANKNMEPAXULMJCAGLKHKTOLUPSRDD | [https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png](https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png)_ | |
300 | ||
301 | ||
302 | * New topic: _UIVXUJZIULMJCAGLKHKTOLUPSRDD | [https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png](https://i.imgur.com/6ayrOMq.png)_ | |
303 | ||
304 | ||
305 | * The string in both topics is encoded with a [Four-square cipher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-square_cipher). | |
306 | ||
307 | ||
308 | * Here are two scripts that were built for Four-square: | |
309 | ||
310 | ||
311 | * encrypt, [http://git.io/Y6JIww](http://git.io/Y6JIww) | |
312 | ||
313 | ||
314 | * decrypt, [http://git.io/CQuh8g](http://git.io/CQuh8g) | |
315 | ||
316 | ||
317 | ||
318 | ||
319 | ||
320 | * Using "IRC" and "xkcd" - the keys saved earlier, the text decrypts to: POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
321 | ||
322 | ||
323 | * Originally it was: ZELENOGRADSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
324 | ||
325 | ||
326 | * The answer: **####POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA** | |
327 | ||
328 | ||
329 | ||
330 | ||
331 | ||
332 | ||
333 | * Level 9 | |
334 | ||
335 | ||
336 | * Clue: _ZCLVLLCOIUTKKJSCEKHHHSMKTOOPBA | OGUCSSGAPVGVLUMBTVOGICUNJDHSTB | RUTJJGNXUNTY | Letters that would repeat in a typical word do not repeat in the key(s), example 'freenode' would be 'frenod' | [https://i.imgur.com/pGIBjEE.png](https://i.imgur.com/pGIBjEE.png) | [http://is.gd/TgNsvm](http://is.gd/TgNsvm)_ | |
337 | ||
338 | ||
339 | * Alright this one is really really really tricky. The topic changed _several_ times. | |
340 | ||
341 | ||
342 | * The three strings are encoded with [Four-square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-square_cipher) from the previous level with the same keys. | |
343 | ||
344 | ||
345 | * Contestants were expected to use 'UVB' and 'RUSSIA' as keys for the Four-square cipher. | |
346 | ||
347 | ||
348 | * It was expected that contestants arrive at 'UVB' from the channel name, ####POVAROVOSOLNECHNOGORSKRUSSIA | |
349 | ||
350 | ||
351 | * The former transmitter[27] was located near Povarovo, Russia[28] at 56°5′0″N 37°6′37″E which is about halfway between Zelenograd and Solnechnogorsk and 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of Moscow, near the village of Lozhki. | |
352 | ||
271fb63d SB |
353 | |
354 | ||
355 | * The is.gd link points to a file that has the "No Q" image from a previous level hidden in it. | |
356 | ||
357 | ||
358 | * The "RUTJJGNXUNTY" decrypts to [AaronHSwartz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz) | |
359 | ||
360 | ||
361 | * The answer: **####AaronHSwartz** | |
362 | ||
363 | ||
364 | ||
365 | ||
366 | ||
367 | ||
368 | * Level 10 | |
369 | ||
370 | ||
371 | * Clue: _HKGJSUOJVRLGSBELAUHOUIGLVRURWMGTUGJGWTKN_ | |
372 | ||
373 | ||
374 | * Originally this channel (####AaronHSwartz) was suppose to be the winner's circle, however due to too many people leaking answers and channel names, one more challenge was added. | |
375 | ||
376 | ||
377 | * Same cipher as before, this time the keys were 'DEMAND' and 'PROGRESS' | |
378 | ||
379 | ||
380 | * [_Demand Progress_](http://www.demandprogress.org/) is an Internet activist-related organization specializing in petitions to help gain traction for legal movements against Internet censorship and related subjects, started by Aaron Swartz, [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demand_Progress). | |
381 | ||
382 | ||
383 | * The clue decrypts to JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS | |
384 | ||
385 | ||
386 | * RMS is [Richard Matthew Stallman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman), and [_'Join Us Now and Share the Software'_](https://www.gnu.org/music/free-software-song.html) is an openly licensed song by Richard Stallman. | |
387 | ||
388 | ||
389 | * The answer: **####JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS** | |
390 | ||
391 | ||
392 | ||
393 | ||
394 | ||
395 | ||
396 | ||
397 | ||
398 | ||
399 | The topic in ####JOINUSNOWANDSHARETHESOFTWAREWRITTENBYRMS was: _Congratulations on solving the freenode's April Fools 2014 Crypto Challenge | Want MOAR? #ircpuzzles_ | |
400 | ||
401 | ||
402 | Congratulations to those who participated this year! | |
403 | ||
404 | ||
405 | ||
406 | ||
407 | ||
408 | The 25 additional people that completed the challenge: | |
409 | ||
410 | ||
411 | ||
412 | ||
413 | ||
414 | ||
415 | * 2014-04-05T04:06:53 knivey | |
416 | ||
417 | ||
418 | * 2014-04-05T10:00:12 Tordek | |
419 | ||
420 | ||
421 | * 2014-04-05T15:40:50 jacob1 * | |
422 | ||
423 | ||
424 | * 2014-04-05T15:48:48 stac | |
425 | ||
426 | ||
427 | * 2014-04-05T16:24:01 Changaco * | |
428 | ||
429 | ||
430 | * 2014-04-05T17:30:01 Arch-TK * | |
431 | ||
432 | ||
433 | * 2014-04-05T17:35:05 ar * | |
434 | ||
435 | ||
436 | * 2014-04-05T18:16:20 Weetos * | |
437 | ||
438 | ||
439 | * 2014-04-05T18:38:39 nyuszika7h | |
440 | ||
441 | ||
442 | * 2014-04-05T18:56:26 vi[NLR] | |
443 | ||
444 | ||
445 | * 2014-04-05T19:06:38 tkd * | |
446 | ||
447 | ||
448 | * 2014-04-05T21:54:56 Chiyo | |
449 | ||
450 | ||
451 | * 2014-04-05T22:46:01 slidercrank | |
452 | ||
453 | ||
454 | * 2014-04-05T22:54:10 jojoa1997 | |
455 | ||
456 | ||
457 | * 2014-04-06T00:55:51 Pixelz * | |
458 | ||
459 | ||
460 | * 2014-04-06T02:53:25 Transfusion | |
461 | ||
462 | ||
463 | * 2014-04-06T02:58:15 DonkeyHotei | |
464 | ||
465 | ||
466 | * 2014-04-06T03:04:01 sdamashek * | |
467 | ||
468 | ||
469 | * 2014-04-06T03:07:49 Cypi * | |
470 | ||
471 | ||
472 | * 2014-04-06T03:36:03 FXOR | |
473 | ||
474 | ||
475 | * 2014-04-06T13:44:35 pad | |
476 | ||
477 | ||
478 | * 2014-04-06T19:22:06 skasturi | |
479 | ||
480 | ||
481 | * 2014-04-06T19:37:13 Bloodhound | |
482 | ||
483 | ||
484 | * 2014-04-07T08:16:22 molly * | |
485 | ||
486 | ||
487 | * 2014-04-07T14:42:32 Bijan-E | |
488 | ||
489 | ||
490 | ||
491 | ||
492 | _(*) user opted out of the cloak lottery_ |