📖 Description
1. What is Type-7 Encryption?
Type-7 is not strictly a strong encryption algorithm, but rather an obfuscation mechanism based on a variant of the Vigenère cipher:
- Primary Purpose: To prevent casual observers from directly seeing plaintext passwords on the console screen via "shoulder surfing" and to hide passwords in
show running-config output.
- Security Warning: Type-7's encryption logic is very simple, using a fixed offset table for XOR operations. In security audits, Type-7 is considered "trivially crackable." Therefore, it is recommended to use
secret (Type-5 or Type-8/9) instead of password in production environments.
- Application Scenarios: Primarily used in Cisco routers and switches for
line vty, enable password, and some legacy VPN configurations.
2. Core Functionality Analysis
This site's tool provides a 100% accurate restoration experience by reverse-engineering the standard Cisco algorithm:
A. Automatic Index Detection
- The first two digits of a Type-7 ciphertext (e.g.,
08) represent the starting offset index in the XOR table. This tool automatically identifies this index and performs precise decoding based on the preset Cisco standard character table.
B. Bidirectional Conversion (Encrypt & Decrypt)
- Decrypt (Crack): Input a string like
0832104D051C to instantly recover the original plaintext password.
- Encrypt (Obfuscate): Input plaintext and click encrypt to generate a Type-7 string that conforms to Cisco configuration standards, ready to be pasted directly back into
.cfg configuration files.
C. Batch Processing Capability
- Supports extracting Type-7 fields from configuration text containing extraneous content, making it suitable for processing large-scale configuration backups exported from devices.
D. Absolute Privacy Guarantee: Local Computation
- Local Processing: All computational logic is executed locally in your browser.
- Zero Upload Risk: Your device passwords and configuration snippets are never uploaded to any server. Even on a computer in a network-isolated server room, the tool can be used safely once the page is loaded.
3. Brief Operation Guide
Decrypt (Recover Password):
- Copy the password string starting with
7 from a Cisco configuration file (e.g., 02070D480309).
- Paste it into the "Ciphertext" input box.
- Click the "Type-7 Decrypt" button.
- The plaintext result will be displayed immediately below.
Encrypt (Generate Obfuscation):
- Enter the password you want to set in the "Plaintext" input box.
- Click the "Type-7 Encrypt" button.
- Copy the generated string and execute
password 7 <result> in router configuration mode.
4. Cisco Password Type Comparison Reference
| Type |
Algorithm Name |
Security Level |
Recommendation |
| Type-0 |
Plaintext |
Very Low |
Do not use. |
| Type-7 |
Vigenère Obfuscation |
Low (Easily Cracked) |
Use only for basic anti-shoulder surfing; must be recovered during audits. |
| Type-5 |
MD5 |
Medium |
Still widely used. |
| Type-8/9 |
SHA-256 / Scrypt |
High |
Recommended standard for modern Cisco IOS. |
5. Why Choose This Site's Type-7 Assistant?
- 100% Compatibility: The algorithm logic strictly aligns with Cisco IOS source code, ensuring compatibility with any Cisco device model.
- Fast & No Installation Required: No need to install Perl scripts or dedicated decryption software on your computer; use it directly in your web browser.
- Ops Power Tool: Provides rapid rescue for scenarios like forgotten passwords during network troubleshooting.
- Completely Free: No registration required, unlimited usage, tailored for the high-frequency needs of programmers and network engineers.