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Tool Factory

Cryptography & Ciphers

XOR Cipher Processor

Apply XOR with explicit key, format, and algorithm settings. Enter the data and key material, choose the parameters, then review the result.

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Apply XOR with explicit key, format, and algorithm settings. Enter the data and key material, choose the parameters, then review the result.

This tool runs open-source code from CyberChef by GCHQ (Apache License 2.0). See open-source credits.

XOR Cipher Processor uses XOR to process the supplied input. The operation returns bytes after applying XOR with the selected repeating or differential key scheme. This record describes cipher processing for XOR Cipher Processor.

The operation returns bytes after applying XOR with the selected repeating or differential key scheme. This record describes cipher processing for XOR Cipher Processor. Processing runs in the browser for this catalog category, so the result depends on the supplied bytes and settings. Processing runs in the browser.

XOR is a reversible byte operation, not proof of confidentiality or message integrity.

Instructions

  1. Provide text or data for this tool.
  2. Use a short public byte sample and one-byte key. This applies to XOR Cipher Processor.
  3. Keep the scheme and null-preserving option unchanged for reversal. This applies to XOR Cipher Processor.
  4. Select Hex output when the result is not readable text. This applies to XOR Cipher Processor.

Example

Input: Bytes "48656c6c6f" with key "aa" in Hex input and output. Operation direction: cipher processing; algorithm: XOR Cipher Processor.

Settings: XOR Cipher Processor: Input and key: the selected byte encoding. Scheme: Standard, Input differential, Output differential, or Cascade. Set Null preserving only when the fixture requires it.

Result: The operation returns bytes after applying XOR with the selected repeating or differential key scheme. This record describes cipher processing for XOR Cipher Processor. Processing runs in the browser for this catalog category, so the result depends on the supplied bytes and settings.

Limits

  • XOR Cipher Processor: XOR security depends on key secrecy, length, and reuse.
  • XOR Cipher Processor: A repeating or guessed key does not provide strong encryption.
  • XOR Cipher Processor: XOR does not authenticate the input or result.

Questions

What does the XOR key represent?

The key field represents bytes in its selected format. Hex 41 represents one byte, while literal characters 4 and 1 represent different input. Match the key representation and Scheme with the source.

What does Null preserving change?

Null preserving skips certain byte transformations according to the operation’s rule. It therefore produces a different result from plain repeating-key XOR. Match this control when reversing a source that used it.

Does XOR verify a message or recover its key?

This operation applies the supplied key and scheme. It does not authenticate the message or search for an unknown key. Simple repeating-key XOR should not be treated as a complete encryption protocol.