> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/cryptography/hashing/50.-cyberchef.md).

# 50. CyberChef

## Overview

CyberChef is a web-based tool for encoding, decoding, hashing, and transforming data. Often called "the Cyber Swiss Army Knife."

**URL:** <https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/>

## Key Features for Hash Work

### Compute Hashes

* Operations: `MD5`, `SHA1`, `SHA2-256`, `SHA2-512`, `HMAC`, `Keccak`, etc.
* Input any text or hex → get the hash instantly

### Identify Hash

* Operation: **Analyse hash**
* Paste a hash and CyberChef guesses the type

### Compare Hashes

* Use **HMAC** operation with a known key to verify signatures

## Common CTF Recipes

### Base64 → SHA-256

```
From Base64 → SHA2 256
```

### Detect and Decode Encoding Chain

```
Magic (depth=3)
```

The `Magic` operation auto-detects encoding layers.

### HMAC Verification

```
HMAC
Key: <secret>
Hash Function: SHA-256
```

### Hash a Value

```
SHA2 256
```

### Multiple Encoding Layers

```
From Base64 → From Hex → MD5
```

## Sharing Recipes

CyberChef supports URL-encoded recipes. You can share a full recipe as a link:

```
https://gchq.github.io/CyberChef/#recipe=From_Base64...
```

## CLI Alternative: CyberChef-CLI

```bash
npm install -g cyberchef-cli
echo "hello" | cyberchef -r MD5
```

## Useful Operations Quick Reference

| Task                 | Operation Name        |
| -------------------- | --------------------- |
| Hash (MD5/SHA)       | `MD5`, `SHA1`, `SHA2` |
| HMAC                 | `HMAC`                |
| Base64 encode/decode | `To/From Base64`      |
| Hex encode/decode    | `To/From Hex`         |
| URL encode/decode    | `URL Encode/Decode`   |
| Identify hash        | `Analyse hash`        |
| Auto-detect encoding | `Magic`               |
| XOR                  | `XOR`                 |
| ROT13                | `ROT13`               |
| JWT decode           | `JWT Decode`          |

## CTF Tip

Use **Magic** operation when you have an encoded blob of unknown type — it recursively tries to detect and decode encoding layers.


---

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