HackTheBox Hunting License Writeup

Explore the basics of cybersecurity in the Hunting License Challenge on Hack The Box. This very-easy-level Challenge introduces encryption reversal and file handling concepts in a clear and accessible way, perfect for beginners.

https://app.hackthebox.com/challenges/485

Description

STOP! Adventurer, have you got an up to date relic hunting license? If you don’t, you’ll need to take the exam again before you’ll be allowed passage into the spacelanes!

Solutions

What is the file format of the executable?

elf

What is the CPU architecture of the executable?

x86-64

What library is used to read lines for user answers? (ldd may help)

libreadline.so.8

What is the address of the main function?

0x401172

How many calls to puts are there in main? (using a decompiler may help)

5

What is the first password?

PasswordNumeroUno

What is the reversed form of the second password?

0wTdr0wss4P

What is the real second password?

P4ssw0rdTw0

What is the XOR key used to encode the third password?

19

What is the third password?

ThirdAndFinal!!!

Summary

The Hunting License Challenge on Hack The Box is a beginner-friendly reverse engineering exercise that guides participants through analyzing an ELF executable’s structure and decoding passwords. The challenge tasks include identifying the file’s architecture (x86-64), libraries used (libreadline.so.8), and exploring the main function’s address and behavior. Participants decrypt passwords using methods like reversal and XOR, enhancing their skills in executable analysis and cryptographic decryption, ideal for newcomers to cybersecurity.