Hashcat
Hashcat is a powerful password cracking tool that can be used to break even the most complex passwords. It supports most hashing algorithms and can work with a variety of attack modes[6]. Here are some examples of how Hashcat can be used:
- **Cracking hashes**: Hashcat can be used to crack hashes, regardless of the encryption algorithm used. To do this, you need to specify the hash type, the attack mode, and the path to the hash file. For example, the following command can be used to crack an MD5 hash using a dictionary attack: [command] [4].
- **Using example hashes**: If you get a "line length exception" error in Hashcat, it is often because the hash mode that you have requested does not match the hash. To verify, you can test your commands against example hashes. The Hashcat wiki provides a list of example hashes for different hash types[1][3].
- **Using a custom dictionary**: Hashcat comes with a default dictionary, but you can also use your own dictionary. To do this, you need to specify the path to your dictionary using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack an SHA-256 hash using a custom dictionary located at "/path/to/dictionary": [command] [5].
- **Using a custom rule set**: Hashcat allows you to use custom rule sets to increase your chances of success. Rule sets are used to modify the dictionary words before they are used in the attack. Hashcat comes with several built-in rule sets, but you can also create your own. To use a custom rule set, you need to specify the path to the rule set using the "-r" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack an NTLM hash using a custom rule set located at "/path/to/rule/set": [command] [5].
- **Using a mask attack**: A mask attack is a brute-force attack that uses a mask to specify the characters that can be used in the password. For example, you can use a mask attack to crack a password that is 8 characters long and contains only lowercase letters and numbers. To do this, you need to specify the mask using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack a password that is 8 characters long and contains only lowercase letters and numbers: [command] [6].
- **Using a hybrid attack**: A hybrid attack is a combination of a dictionary attack and a mask attack. It is useful when the password contains a dictionary word with some additional characters. To do this, you need to specify the path to your dictionary and the mask using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack a password that contains the word "password" and is 8 characters long: [command] [6].
It is important to note that Hashcat should only be used for lawful purposes, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their usage is lawful[4].
Citations:
[1] https://hashcat.net/wiki/doku.php?id=example_hashes
[2] https://gist.github.com/dwallraff/6a50b5d2649afeb1803757560c176401
[3] https://jenda.hrach.eu/f2/example_hashes.html
[4] https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/topics/hacking/hashcat-tutorial-beginners/
[5] https://in.security/2022/06/01/hashcat-pssw0rd-cracking-basic-usage/
[6] https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/hacking-with-hashcat-a-practical-guide/
Hashcat is a powerful password cracking tool that can be used to break even the most complex passwords. It supports most hashing algorithms and can work with a variety of attack modes[6]. Here are some examples of how Hashcat can be used:
- **Cracking hashes**: Hashcat can be used to crack hashes, regardless of the encryption algorithm used. To do this, you need to specify the hash type, the attack mode, and the path to the hash file. For example, the following command can be used to crack an MD5 hash using a dictionary attack: [command] [4].
- **Using example hashes**: If you get a "line length exception" error in Hashcat, it is often because the hash mode that you have requested does not match the hash. To verify, you can test your commands against example hashes. The Hashcat wiki provides a list of example hashes for different hash types[1][3].
- **Using a custom dictionary**: Hashcat comes with a default dictionary, but you can also use your own dictionary. To do this, you need to specify the path to your dictionary using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack an SHA-256 hash using a custom dictionary located at "/path/to/dictionary": [command] [5].
- **Using a custom rule set**: Hashcat allows you to use custom rule sets to increase your chances of success. Rule sets are used to modify the dictionary words before they are used in the attack. Hashcat comes with several built-in rule sets, but you can also create your own. To use a custom rule set, you need to specify the path to the rule set using the "-r" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack an NTLM hash using a custom rule set located at "/path/to/rule/set": [command] [5].
- **Using a mask attack**: A mask attack is a brute-force attack that uses a mask to specify the characters that can be used in the password. For example, you can use a mask attack to crack a password that is 8 characters long and contains only lowercase letters and numbers. To do this, you need to specify the mask using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack a password that is 8 characters long and contains only lowercase letters and numbers: [command] [6].
- **Using a hybrid attack**: A hybrid attack is a combination of a dictionary attack and a mask attack. It is useful when the password contains a dictionary word with some additional characters. To do this, you need to specify the path to your dictionary and the mask using the "-a" option. For example, the following command can be used to crack a password that contains the word "password" and is 8 characters long: [command] [6].
It is important to note that Hashcat should only be used for lawful purposes, and it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that their usage is lawful[4].
Citations:
[1] https://hashcat.net/wiki/doku.php?id=example_hashes
[2] https://gist.github.com/dwallraff/6a50b5d2649afeb1803757560c176401
[3] https://jenda.hrach.eu/f2/example_hashes.html
[4] https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/topics/hacking/hashcat-tutorial-beginners/
[5] https://in.security/2022/06/01/hashcat-pssw0rd-cracking-basic-usage/
[6] https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/hacking-with-hashcat-a-practical-guide/