The statement#

A hidden message lies concealed within a jumble of characters and numbers. Can you crack the code and reveal the secret? The mystery is waiting for you to uncover it.

Solution#

Strings on the file gives a base64 string.

$_ strings -n 65 challenge.png

<x:xmpmeta xmlns:x=‘adobe:ns:meta/’ x:xmptk=‘Image::ExifTool 12.76’> <rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf=‘http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#'> Attrib:ExtId03825ccf-d796-4baa-8dda-96a2acd20326</Attrib:ExtId> <rdf:li xml:lang=‘x-default’>cm9vdEBsb2NhbGhvc3R7QzBuZ3JAdCRfWTB1X0YwdW5kX1RoM19NeXN0M3J5X04wd30=</rdf:li> cm9vdEBsb2NhbGhvc3R7QzBuZ3JAdCRfWTB1X0YwdW5kX1RoM19NeXN0M3J5X04wd30=

Decode it to get flag

$_ clippaste | base64 -d

root@localhost{C0ngr@t$_Y0u_F0und_Th3_Myst3ry_N0w}%

Flag: root@localhost{C0ngr@t$_Y0u_F0und_Th3_Myst3ry_N0w}%#