Briefing
Greetings, Special Agent.
The cyber battlefield has shifted. A high-profile organization has fallen victim to a highly sophisticated attack, and the evidence points to a lurking menace operating in the shadows. Our team has intercepted a critical piece of the puzzle—a single malware hash retrieved from the wreckage.
This is no ordinary breach. The complexity of the attack suggests the involvement of an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), a shadowy collective of cyber operatives known for their patience, precision, and relentless pursuit of their objectives. These groups don’t strike randomly—they’re hunters with a target in mind, often with devastating consequences.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Our initial analysis hints that this could be part of a broader campaign, one designed to disrupt, steal, or destroy. Every second we delay could mean further damage to critical infrastructure, the exposure of sensitive information, or worse—an escalation in their endgame.
As always, Special Agent. The contract is yours, if you choose to accept.
Materials
Malware Hash: 9e7053a4b6c9081220a694ec93211b4e
Answer Instruction
Use the answer to unlock the flagfile, this will reward you with your badge.
Answer format: APTgroupnumber_targetoftheattack
Answer example: APT43_departmentofjustice
Flagfile
Be advised, the flagfile is an encrypted ZIP. Make sure your OS supports the ZIP format. Ensure the password contains no hidden characters or formatting, paste in Notepad first if the password doesn’t seem to work.
Creator: Vance Poitier