RE: Determining the encryption used

["Bob Bell (rtbell)" <rtbell () cisco com>]

John -

If what you are describing is an encrypted field within the database, I
am not sure that there is anything you can do to determining what the
algorithm is. If it is good encryption, the data should be random bits.
If you know the encryption key, then you could try a number of the
common algorithms to see if they yield valid data. Otherwise, you are
going to have to try both the algorithm and the keys, (a very very
difficult task with normal algorithms). You might have to resort to pure
cryptographic analysis techneques to solve this issue.

Bob 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim [mailto:pand0ra.usa () gmail com] 
> Sent: Thursday, 11 May, 2006 16:09
> To: John Madden
> Cc: pen-test () securityfocus com
> Subject: Re: Determining the encryption used
>
> From what I have picked up cracking passwords, Cain (windows app from
> oxid.it) has numerous decryption methods in it and will tell 
> you if the hash does not fit. As for the length some 
> encryption protocols can be identified by their length (do 
> not know off the top of my head though).
>
> On 5/11/06, John Madden <chiwawa999 () yahoo com> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > While doing a pen-test I came across a database with 
> encrypted fields 
> > and I was curious to try and see what I would do with it.
> >
> > Is it possible to determine the encryption used by "looking" at the 
> > encrypted results or lenght ?
> >
> > I know that with Base64 it's pretty easy because of the "==" at the 
> > end.
> >
> > I would like to learn more about the subject and considering the 
> > amount of documentation out there, I would like your 
> comments on what 
> > you have used and found usefull.
> >
> > Also if there are any tools besides openssl that you found 
> usefull to 
> > try all the cipher, consecutively with a passphrase/keyword 
> against a 
> > file/string
> >
> > Thank you for your time.
> >
> >
> >
> >
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This List Sponsored by: Cenzic

Concerned about Web Application Security?
Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win the Analyst's
Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications continue to rise,
you need to proactively protect your applications from hackers. Cenzic has the
most comprehensive solutions to meet your application security penetration
testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an option to go with a
managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software
(Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed service can
help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php
And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to confirm your
results from other product. Contact us at request () cenzic com for details.
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