Hi people,
Just wondered if anyone knew how you would go about recovering a password for a microsoft access (JET) database using PHP?
There are loads of freeware windows applications that can instantly retrieve the password so I guess it must be saved in the database file somewhere it's just knowing how to extract it.
Anyone got any tips for how you might go about finding more information about this?
Thanks
Recover Microsoft Access Database Password using PHP?
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Re: Recover Microsoft Access Database Password using PHP?
I'm going to be actively researching this so I'll post information here as and when I find it, found some information here:
http://www.everythingaccess.com/tutoria ... r-the-hood
http://www.everythingaccess.com/tutoria ... r-the-hood
Simple database password (Jet 3+ / Access 95+).
Jet 3: The database password, when set, is stored as plain text in the MDB file header.
Jet 4: The database password, when set, is obfuscated with a simple XOR pattern algorithm based on the file creation date/time (stored inside the file) which is then stored in the MDB file header.
Jet 3 AND 4: The MDB file header itself is further obfuscated with an XOR pattern – although its a constant XOR stream this time. (I describe these XOR encryption algorithms as obfuscation rather than encryption, given how simple they are).
When you open your MDB file, you are prompted for the password and then Jet can easily decode the original password to check it matches perfectly with the password that was entered.
Pros
Simple to set up.
Cons
Password is easily retrievable since it is effectively stored in plain text (very simple obfuscation).