Misc – 245 pts (9 solves) – Chall author: Nikeley
A finite-state machine construction with a solution that itself is the flag.
Challenge
So a ‘DFA’, or Deterministic Finite Automaton, is a kind of finite-state machine. This means we can put in some input and out comes something depending on its structure. A quick read on Wikipedia explain enough in order to figure this puzzle out. We are given the following information about our DFA
Parameter Meaning Value
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Q States / nodes Q0 through Q9
Σ Possible messages {d,m,n,p,s,t,0,1,3}
δ Transition function _see Table below_
q0 Initial state Q0
F Accept / final state Q9
δ | d m n p s t 0 1 3
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Q0 | Q1
Q1 | Q2
Q2 | Q3
Q3 | Q8 Q4
Q4 | Q5
Q5 | Q7 Q6
Q6 | Q4
Q7 | Q2
Q8 | Q9
Q9 |
Solution
In other words, we can picture this as a collection of 10 nodes, or stepping stones, that are connected to each other according to the transition function. For every step we take, we pick up one of the possible messages in order to string our flag together. Furthermore, we need to start at Q0, end at Q9, and take exactly 13 steps (as denoted in the challenge description). A sketch of this system is given below.
Following the stepping stones, we can derive the following flag
NETON{t3dp01s0n3dm3}
F. o7