> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ctf.smithsecurity.biz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ctf.smithsecurity.biz/htb-cyber-apocalypse-2022/readme-1/misc-matrioshka-brain.md).

# Misc - Matrioshka Brain

Hack the Box Cyber Apocalypse CTF 2022 - Intergalactic Chase, Matrioshka Brain Misc Challenge Writeup

This challenge had less than 200 solves last I checked. It really involves thinking outside the box and not just looking for hidden VBA scripts or steganography.

To start off we are given a .csv file and told there are inconsistencies in the numbers in it. I opened it in excel and got the average of all the data. I went to conditional formatting to spot the outliers and immediately noticed stuff kinda like words when I highlighted all the ones above average. I switched it over to below average and boom:

![](https://2826773145-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1uhiofTFnZvCKEvs4fJk%2Fuploads%2F59gZunbpLkhyL322qLxV%2FMatrioshkaBrain.PNG?alt=media\&token=48a386f5-b15b-4ea0-bf44-c375448cbc6c)

PWNED?? (Maybe)