Страна X (Country X)

Platform: hackerlab | Category: OSINT | Type: Challenge | Difficulty: Easy | OS: Linux | Author: XESXOR | Date: 2026-01-07 | Status: Solved Techniques: clue_analysis, endemic_species_identification, historical_research

Summary

Task: Identify a disappeared country X on an island in the Indian Ocean, known for its tea. Solution: Analyzed clues (island location, tea brand, endemic lizard in image) to identify Ceylon, the former name of Sri Lanka before 1972 renaming.

Страна X (Country X) — HackerLab

Description

Ваша задача - раскрыть тайну исчезновения страны X. Эта страна, находясь на острове в Индийском океане, была известна своими уникальными культурными традициями, прекрасными пейзажами и богатым наследием. Однако, в какой-то момент, она исчезла из сознания мирового сообщества, оставив лишь разрозненные следы своего существования. Ходят слухи, что у них даже есть свой чай, названный в честь страны X.

Формат флага: CODEBY{Country}

Files: task.zip (contains image.jpg) ‍​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍

Analysis

Step 1: Image Investigation

Unpack the archive and get the file image.jpg - a photo of a lizard on a rock.

 bash read-only • copy allowed Copy
unzip task.zip
exiftool image.jpg

The image metadata contains no GPS coordinates or other useful data.

Step 2: Analyzing Clues from the Description

Key clues:

1. Island in the Indian Ocean - narrows the search to island nations
2. Country "disappeared from the world community's consciousness" - hint at a country renaming
3. Tea named after the country - very important clue ‍​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍

Step 3: Country Identification

Tea named after a country on an island in the Indian Ocean - this is Ceylon tea, one of the most famous tea varieties in the world.

Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka:

• The island was called Ceylon during British colonial rule
• In 1972, the country was renamed to Sri Lanka
• Thus, the country "Ceylon" did indeed "disappear" - but only as a name

Step 4: Confirmation via Image

The lizard in the photo resembles the Ceylon Kangaroo Lizard (Otocryptis wiegmanni) - an endemic species found only in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon). This provides additional confirmation of the correct answer. ‍​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍

Solution

Logical chain:

1. Island in the Indian Ocean + tea = Ceylon/Sri Lanka
2. Country "disappeared" = renaming of Ceylon to Sri Lanka (1972)
3. Ceylon tea - a world-famous brand
4. Lizard in the photo - endemic to Sri Lanka (Ceylon Kangaroo Lizard)

Answer: Ceylon

Historical Context

• 1505-1658: Portuguese colony
• 1658-1796: Dutch colony
• 1796-1948: British colony (official name Ceylon)
• 1948: Independence as Dominion of Ceylon
• 1972: Renamed to Sri Lanka

Ceylon tea remains one of Sri Lanka's main export products and retains its historical name. ‍​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍