how to decrypt md5

[marcusbrutus]

Hi. Is there a software that would allow me to decrypt a md5 hash appearing on my run-config? We are having some password issues and i was thinking of a way to decrypt a password appearing on a saved config text without having to go through the typical password recovery.

Thanks.

[Mark Yeates · Accepted solution]

Mark,

I don't believe the MD5 hash passwords are able to be decrypted (like the "7" passwords). The only way I know of to break a MD5 password is brute force. It looks like a password recovery would be your best option in this case.

HTH,

Mark

[John Blakley]

You could use John the Ripper, but like Mark said, it will only brute force and it can take FOREVER.

It would take a lot less time to do the password recovery.

HTH,

John

[Leo Laohoo]

Create a TAC Case. I have heard quiet rumours in the past that Cisco has a tool to un-encrypt MD5 passwords.