Steganography

JPG image with encoded data

Steganography is a method of concealing hidden messages inside objects. In the context of computing, it may be a message encoded into an image, audio file or another type of media.

Some files we found in El Paso drop contain hidden information encoded with steghide tool.

• Windows/Linux: https://steghide.sourceforge.net/
• MacOS: http://packages.macports.org/steghide/ or (if you use MacPorts) port install steghide

Example how to decode information from one of El Paso files.

1. Download maria_1.jpg
2. Decode: ./steghide extract -sf Maria_1.jpg
3. When prompted for passcode, press enter
4. File code.txt should be created

Your result should look like:

430092839057259t6 UNLOCK AGENT SYSTEM
FRIENDLY CODE 55 29 54 88 84 46 06 26
DO NOT CUT WORMS
WE LOVE YOU
FOREVER BEAUTIFUL