HashCat not recognizing the hash type

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 43 views

Introduction

HashCat is a popular password cracking tool used by security professionals and hackers alike. It supports a wide range of hash types, including bcrypt, Blowfish (Unix), and many others. In this article, we will explore the use of HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) and discuss a common issue that can arise when using these hash types.

**Understanding bcrypt $2*$**

Bcrypt is a password hashing algorithm designed to be slow and computationally expensive. This makes it more resistant to brute-force attacks. The $2*$ prefix is a common notation for bcrypt hashes, indicating that they are using the Blowfish cipher with a cost factor of 2.

Understanding Blowfish (Unix)

Blowfish is a symmetric-key block cipher that can be used for password hashing. The Unix variant of Blowfish is a specific implementation of the algorithm that is commonly used in password storage.

The Problem: Line-length exception

When using HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes, you may encounter a line-length exception. This occurs when the hash is too long to fit on a single line, causing HashCat to fail.

Example Hash

The example hash provided by HashCat is:

$2a $05$ LhayLxezLhK1LhWvKxCyLOj0j1u....

**Using HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix)**

To use HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes, you will need to specify the correct hash type and cost factor. Here is an example of how to use HashCat with the example hash:

hashcat -m 3200 -a 0 -1 $2a$05$LhayLxezLhK1LhWvKxCyLOj0j1u....

In this example, we are using the -m 3200 option to specify the bcrypt $2*$ hash type, and the -a 0 option to specify the attack mode. The -1 option is used to specify the cost factor, which in this case is 2.

Resolving the Line-length exception

To resolve the line-length exception, you can try the following:

Use a shorter hash: If possible, try to use a shorter hash that fits on a single line.
Split the hash: You can try splitting the hash into multiple lines, using the --split option in HashCat.
Use a different hash type: If you are not tied to using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix), you can try using a different hash type that is more compatible with HashCat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HashCat is a powerful password cracking tool that supports a wide range of hash types, including bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix). However, when using these hash types, you may encounter a line-length exception. By understanding the problem and using the correct options, you can resolve the issue and successfully use HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes.

Troubleshooting Tips

Check the hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
Check the line length: Make sure the hash is not too long to fit on a single line.
Check the HashCat version: Make sure you are using the latest version of HashCat.

Common Issues

HashCat not recognizing the hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
HashCat not cracking the hash: Make sure you are using the correct attack mode and options.

Best Practices

Use the correct hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
Use the correct attack mode: Make sure you are using the correct attack mode and options.
Use the latest version of HashCat: Make sure you are using the latest version of HashCat.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the use of HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) and the common issue of line-length exception. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you better understand the problem and its solutions.

Q: What is a line-length exception in HashCat?

A: A line-length exception occurs when the hash is too long to fit on a single line, causing HashCat to fail.

**Q: Why do I get a line-length exception when using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes?**

A: The line-length exception is caused by the long length of the bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hash. This hash type is designed to be slow and computationally expensive, which makes it more resistant to brute-force attacks. However, this also means that it can be longer than other hash types.

Q: How can I resolve the line-length exception?

A: There are several ways to resolve the line-length exception:

Use a shorter hash: If possible, try to use a shorter hash that fits on a single line.
Split the hash: You can try splitting the hash into multiple lines, using the --split option in HashCat.
Use a different hash type: If you are not tied to using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix), you can try using a different hash type that is more compatible with HashCat.

**Q: What are the common issues when using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat?**

A: The common issues when using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat include:

HashCat not recognizing the hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
HashCat not cracking the hash: Make sure you are using the correct attack mode and options.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the line-length exception?

A: To troubleshoot the line-length exception, you can try the following:

Check the hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
Check the line length: Make sure the hash is not too long to fit on a single line.
Check the HashCat version: Make sure you are using the latest version of HashCat.

**Q: What are the best practices for using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat?**

A: The best practices for using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat include:

Use the correct hash type: Make sure you are using the correct hash type and cost factor.
Use the correct attack mode: Make sure you are using the correct attack mode and options.
Use the latest version of HashCat: Make sure you are using the latest version of HashCat.

**Q: Can I use bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat with other hash types?**

A: Yes, you can use bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat with other hash types. However, you may need to use the --split option to split the hash into multiple lines.

Q: How can I split the hash into multiple lines?

A: To split the hash into multiple lines, you can use the --split option in HashCat. For example:

hashcat -m 3200 -a 0 -1 --split $2a$05$LhayLxezLhK1LhWvKxCyLOj0j1u....

Conclusion

In conclusion, the line-length exception is a common issue when using bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes in HashCat. By understanding the problem and using the correct options, you can resolve the issue and successfully use HashCat with bcrypt $2*$ , Blowfish (Unix) hashes.