Check the EXIF data of any images found inside using exiftool . Often, clues or parts of the flag are hidden in the Comment or Artist tags.
The flag is typically formatted as flag... or CTF... . Once found, document the exact steps taken—from the initial unzip command to the specific tool used for extraction—to complete the write-up. File: spookytimes_2-pc.zip ...
Start by running the file command to confirm the file type. file spookytimes_2-pc.zip Check the EXIF data of any images found
View the files inside the archive without extracting them to check for suspicious filenames or nested structures. unzip -l spookytimes_2-pc.zip or CTF
If images are present, they may contain hidden data. Tools like StegSolve (to check color planes) or steghide (for hidden embedded files) are commonly used. Phase 3: Solving for the Flag