What is CyberChef?
Updated: Dec 19, 2023CyberChef is an open-source and web-based tool that you can use to perform data manipulation, analysis, and transformation.
In this article, you will learn how to use CyberChef and perform some basic operations.
with examples https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AFQc-P8RSYk
Type CyberChef into the search engine
or
https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/ you can click the link.
incoming screen
On this screen
Type SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh in the input field
You can mark From Base64 from the Operation section and pull it to the Recipe section.
or you can click on the wizard where Output is.
When you see Hello World in the Output section, your operation is successful.
You will decode the SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh text you entered from the input part, from Base64 encoded (encrypted) part.
To perform a reverse operation
Hello World! If you type to Base64, you can encrypt it. and in Output you can find the result SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh.
Of course, I can offer explanations by giving examples of the use of CyberChef:
Example 1: Decoding Base64 Encoding
Input: SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh
Operation: You can decode this Base64 using operation "From Base64".
Description: This operation is used to convert Base64 encoded text to original text. This example is "Hello World!" It decodes the text without Base64 encoding. The result contains the original text.
Example 2: Converting a Unix Timestamp
Input: 1630838500
Operation: The operation "From Unix Timestamp" is used to convert a Unix timestamp to a readable date.
Description: This operation converts a Unix timestamp (a time zone in seconds) to a readable date and time format. For example, the Unix timestamp "1630838500" corresponds to the date "2021-09-05 13:15:00".
Example 3: Compressing Text Data
Input: This is text data and can be compressed.
Operation: You can compress text data with the "gzip" operation.
Description: This operation converts text data to gzip compression format. Compressed data will have a smaller size.
Example 4: Encrypting Text Data
Input: Confidential information
Operation: With the "AES Encrypt" operation, you can encrypt text data using AES encryption.
Description: This process uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) to securely encrypt text data. Encrypted data becomes incomprehensible.
Example 5: Formatting JSON Data
Input: {"name":"John","age":30,"city":"New York"}
Operation: You can edit the JSON data with the "Beautify/Minify JSON" operation.
Description: This operation organizes complex or compressed JSON data in a more readable format. For example, it displays JSON data line by line and indented.
These examples show the various operations of CyberChef and how it can be used. CyberChef supports a large number of operations and these operations provide a highly flexible tool for data manipulation, transformation and analysis. You can perform complex data processing tasks by combining different operations according to your needs.
Example 6: Decoding URL Encoding
Input: This is an instance of %20URL%20
You can decode this URL using Operation: "URL Decode" operation.
Description: This operation returns the special characters used in the URL to their original form. The input in the example contains the text "This is an example of a URL".
Example 7: Text Indexing
Input: This is a sample text
Operation: You can replace a specific word with another word with the "Replace" operation.
Explanation: For example, you can use this operation to replace the word "text" with "data". The result is "This is sample data".
Example 8: Examining File Signatures
Input: File signature (for example, ELF or PE files)
Operation: You can examine the file signature with the "Carve/Analyze File Signature" operation.
Description: This process helps you determine the type and properties of the file by analyzing the file signature. For example, you can detect that a file is a PE (Portable Executable) file.
Example 9: Natural Language Processing
Input: Text data
Operation: With the "Word Frequency Analysis" operation, you can analyze the frequency of the words in the text data.
Explanation: This operation shows how often the words in the text occur. This is useful for text item analysis and content summary.
Example 10: Generating Random Data
Input: The need to generate data
Operation: You can generate random data of a certain length with the "Random Bytes" operation.
Description: This operation generates random data of a certain length. For example, it can be used to generate a password or key.
CyberChef offers processes that you can use for many different scenarios, as in these examples. You can easily perform complex data manipulation tasks by combining operations according to your needs. If you would like another example or explanation, please specify.
Example 11: Compressing Text
Input: This text can be compressed.
Operation: You can compress text data with the "gzip" operation.
Description: This operation converts text data to gzip compression format, reducing the data to a smaller size. Compressed data requires less storage space.
Example 12: Audio File Conversion
Input: Audio file (for example, WAV)
Operation: You can convert the audio file to a different audio format with the "Convert audio format" operation.
Description: This operation is used to convert the audio file to a different audio format. For example, you can convert WAV file to MP3 or OGG format.
Example 13: File Analysis
Input: a file
Operation: You can examine basic information about the file with the "Analyze File" operation.
Description: This action shows the size, type, and other key properties of a file. It does not provide information about the contents of the file, but is useful for starting file analysis.
Example 14: Internet Data Processing
Input: Web page source code or URL data
Operation: You can search for specific terms with the "Search" operation to analyze the web page source code.
Description: This process scans the web page source code for the terms you searched for. For example, you can use it to find a specific keyword on a web page.
Example 15: Creating a QR Code
Input: Text or data
Operation: With the "QR Code" operation, you can convert text or data into a QR code.
Description: This operation allows you to generate text or data as a QR code. QR codes are used to share information quickly and easily.
The operations and scenarios CyberChef offers are quite extensive. By combining processes that suit your needs, you can effectively perform data processing and transformation tasks. If you want another example or explanation, feel free to ask.