SWF extraction ...

Tinkster has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi,
I think I have a basic handle on how to use
LWP::UserAgent and LWP::Simple; I hope
that I can figure out how to use SWF::Parse.

The problem I'm facing at the moment is that
the SWF information that I'm trying to get at is
"hidden" inside some magic JS incantation rather
than an <embed> or plain <href>.

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
if(version==6){
  drawFlashVersioned("770","525","base6.swf","base","storeFront=NZ&ses
+sionId=z3k4-p0wnjLK4wIhd7n-Cw1&","6,0,0,0");
} else {
  drawFlashVersioned("770","525","base6.swf","base","storeFront=NZ&ses
+sionId=z3k4-p0wnjLK4wIhd7n-Cw1&","7,0,0,0");
}
//-->
</script>
[download]

Any ideas how I might get to the SWF for processing?
The actual URL is
http://flightbookings.airnewzealand.co.nz/vgrabview/
and I'd like to write a script that alerts me when
something interesting comes up :}

Cheers, Tink

Comment on SWF extraction ... Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: SWF extraction ... by Joost (Canon) on Jul 20, 2007 at 22:30 UTC
There are a bunch of different modules that use a javascript-capable browser as a back-end for scripting (usually mimicking the interface of WWW::Mechanize, an LWP::UserAgent subclass). See Win32::IE::Mechanize, Mozilla::Mechanize::GUITester, Mozilla::Mechanize and WWW::Selenium If you're on windows, I believe Win32::IE::Mechanize would be the easiest to install. Mozilla::Mechanize takes some effort, and WWW::Selenium might be your best bet if you're not on windows - but it has a different API. "What should it profit a man, if he should win a flame war, yet lose his cool?"	[reply]
Re^2: SWF extraction ... by Tinkster (Novice) on Jul 21, 2007 at 02:35 UTC
Thanks for the links, reading up on Mozilla::Mechanise and WWW::Selenium now ... I'm using Linux (pretty much exclusively - forced to do windows stuff in a VM at work) :) Cheers, Tink	[reply]
Re: SWF extraction ... by aquarium (Curate) on Jul 21, 2007 at 15:11 UTC
you could also put the initiating url into the browser and watch the url requests using ethereal or such network sniffer. you should be able to find the swf url request. the hardest line to type correctly is: stty erase ^H	[reply]