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Arintel
03-23-2006, 04:59 AM
This is a $300 reverse engineering challenge. Below is brief information. For a full description, please visit http://minelock.blogspot.com.

Description
This is a small Pocket PC program which shows some medusas moving around the screen and eating each other. The original section of code that controls the movement of the medusas has been transformed by MineLock I technique. You will not find plain assembly instructions changing the positions of the medusas. Also, the transformed code will move the medusas correctly only when the Pocket PC is running at its maximum speed or it will freeze the medusas or quit the program otherwise.

Requirements
The challenge is reconstruct the original code which changes the positions of the medusas and patch the program for it to run correctly with all speeds of the Pocket PC. You must not simply guess and rewrite the code. You must DEDUCE the original code from the executable file. That is, explain clearly how you get the original code by analyzing the executable file only and support your arguments by reference to the assembly code of the program. You can do it in anyway using any tools of your choice.

System requirements:
OS: Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2005
CPU: Intel XScale 270
Currently, the program will run only on Dell Axim X50 and X51v.

Usage:
There are an executable file and two license files. For the program to run correctly, rename the corresponding .lic file to MineLock.lic, put it in the root folder, and run the executable file. You can try running the program with a different speed of the Pocket PC or with a wrong license file to see the medusas freezed.

Future updates:
I will upload more license files for the program to run on other types of Pocket PC. Actually, it should run correctly (at the maximum speed) on Pocket PCs having similar hardware configuration. In the near future, I will port the program to desktop PCs.

kgrill
05-11-2006, 03:13 AM
Nice try - I will file this under my favorite examples of chuzpe.

Arintel
05-11-2006, 08:54 AM
Originally posted by kgrill@May 11 2006, 02:13 AM
Nice try - I will file this under my favorite examples of chuzpe.
1392


How far have you reversed it?

kgrill
05-11-2006, 01:08 PM
Originally posted by Arintel@May 11 2006, 01:54 PM
How far have you reversed it?
1394


didn't - if this were for a platform i'm familiar with, i'd certainly give it a try (and fail miserably, of course), even though:

<explanation>
this idea is not quite new: back in the nineties, i ran across a contest hwere participants had to create some program (a word processor or something similar; can't remember exactly, bitrot affects organic memaries, too) and the winner would cash some $200. The intention behind such a proposal is clear: if it works out, it means a tremendous cut in development costs (200 bucks sound like something when viewed as a contest prize, but look at it as a salary).
The present challenge goes a little further: if it works as intended, there is no winner, so the invaluable statement "even the most avid crackers had to admit failure on this one" will come completely for free; but even if it fails, just compare the "prize" to what any professional would charge for the thorough analysis done by the winner (and runners up)...
</explanation>

so, i'm not insinuating that this is an easy problem, on the contrary, i mean that it's too hard for the money offered.

hope this makes things clear

ps: i'm only writing this so i convince you to stay away from this and let me earn the money
pps: anyone know where i can get an axim 50 at less than $300?
ppps: sorry, i just can't tell a joke

kgrill
05-11-2006, 01:13 PM
oops - i just noticed i forgot to sign my previous two messages; didn't mean to be impolite though, it's just that my parents couldn't resist bargaining for an etiquette teacher.

have a good one
regards
kg

Arintel
05-11-2006, 01:46 PM
Come to the official website: www.minelock.com
The prize has been raised to $400 long ago. And hurry up, it's near the dead-line (May 30).
Here's a Dell Axim X50 for only $250:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIKE-NEW-Dell-Axim-X50...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/LIKE-NEW-Dell-Axim-X50-GREAT-QUALITY-PURCHASE_W0QQitemZ9722389739QQcategoryZ38331QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem)

Good luck
Arintel
P.S. You can contact me personally at (arintel at minelock dot com)