Social Media Investigation Hub
Author: 0xIDA
Platform: HTB · Category: osint · Difficulty: Very Easy
Platform: HTB | Category: OSINT | Difficulty: Very Easy
Target: 154.57.164.76:30297
Solvers
Summary
A cross-platform OSINT investigation into the TechReviewer2024 account across three simulated social media platforms (ChirpNet, ConnectPro, ForumHub). The investigation reveals a former RivalTech Inc. employee running a coordinated fake review campaign against the XyloPhone Pro.
Methodology
1. Platform Access
React SPA with tabs for 3 simulated platforms + a challenge quiz:
- ChirpNet (
/twitter) — Twitter-like microblogging - ConnectPro (
/linkedin) — LinkedIn-like professional network - ForumHub (
/reddit) — Reddit-like discussion forum
The search bar filters by username (TechReviewer2024) across all platforms.
2. OSINT Analysis
ConnectPro (LinkedIn Clone)
The profile showed the real identity: Alex Morgan, a "Freelance Technology Reviewer" since Jan 2024. Prior role: Marketing Specialist at RivalTech Inc. (Jan 2021 – Dec 2023). Education: UC Berkeley, B.S. in Marketing.
ChirpNet (Twitter Clone)
@TechReviewer2024 joined February 2024, located in San Francisco. Posts show coordination with accounts:
- @ReviewMaster_Bob
- @TechTruth_Sally
- @HonestConsumer_Jane
All sharing suspiciously identical "honest reviews" messaging.
ForumHub (Reddit Clone)
u/TechReviewer2024 is a moderator of r/TechReviews. Critical post in r/ProductTesting titled "XyloPhone Pro Campaign Coordination" (1 month ago) containing:
*"Team, here are the key talking points for our upcoming XyloPhone Pro reviews:
- Battery life issues (emphasize 2-hour claim)
- Overheating problems during gaming
- Poor camera quality in low light
- Expensive for what you get Remember to space out your posts and use different platforms. We're running operation_social_storm_2024 next week."*
This is direct evidence of a coordinated smear campaign.
3. Answers
| # | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Morgan | ConnectPro profile name |
| 2 | RivalTech Inc. | ConnectPro work history |
| 3 | operation_social_storm_2024 | ForumHub coordination post |
| 4 | February 2024 | ChirpNet joined date |
| 5 | XyloPhone Pro | ForumHub coordination post |
| 6 | moderator | ForumHub subreddit roles |
| 7 | University of California, Berkeley | ConnectPro education |
| 8 | 89 | ConnectPro connections count |
| 9 | 1247 | ForumHub post karma |
Flag
HTB{alexmorgan_operationsocialstorm2024_february2024}