Puzzle challenge

I had a strange idea recently, and when it worked I made it into a little challenge. That challenge can be found here and consists of a hex dump of a binary file that can be run on x86 Linux but contains "something more" that provides a "password".

For those that want to try their hand at the challenge I'll simply say that you'll know when you get the password. The chances of getting an english word from the required sequence of actions on any random executable are so small that it should give you confidence in itself.

For those that want a clue (be aware ... it's a pretty big clue), click here, and for those that have given up, a walkthrough of the reasoning I envisaged someone making is here.

I apologise if the leap to make was too large -- it's very difficult to judge what obfuscation techniques to apply and what clues to leave. Some of my indicision is hinted at in the comments of the assembly files that create the test, and (obviously) also spoils the challenge.