## Password Cracking & Analysis Tool Comparison Matrix ### Core Cracking Engines & Frameworks |Tool|Primary Role|Compute Model|Core Attack Modes|Strengths|Limitations|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Hashcat**|High-performance password cracking engine|GPU (OpenCL/CUDA), CPU|Dictionary, Rules, Mask, Hybrid, Combinator, Brute Force, Association|Fastest cracking at scale, flexible rule engine, deep mask support, massive hash support|Steep learning curve, CLI-heavy, GPU tuning required|Enterprise-scale cracking, research, controlled offensive testing| |**John the Ripper (Jumbo)**|Password cracking framework|CPU + GPU (OpenCL)|Dictionary, Rules, Mask, Incremental, Hybrid|Strong rule language, broad hash coverage, good CPU cracking|Slower GPU performance than Hashcat, complex config|Mixed CPU/GPU environments, legacy hash research| |**MDXFIND**|Custom / nested hash cracking|CPU (multi-threaded)|Dictionary + Rules + Custom Hash Chains|Handles non-standard and iterative hashing, extreme flexibility|Expert-level use, limited documentation, slower per-hash|Web app custom hash reverse engineering| |**Hash Suite**|Windows hash cracking|CPU / GPU|Charset, Wordlist, Keyboard, Phrases, LM2NT|Strong Windows-specific workflows, LM → NTLM optimization|Windows-centric, less flexible than Hashcat|Windows credential audits| --- ### Analysis, Analytics, and Pattern Discovery |Tool|Category|Function|Output Type|Strengths|Limitations|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Pipal**|Password analysis|Statistical & pattern analysis|Text report|Excellent pattern discovery, fast, simple|No cracking, Ruby dependency|Pre-crack intelligence & rule development| |**PASSPAT**|Pattern analysis|Keyboard adjacency & layout analysis|Text output|Identifies keyboard-walk patterns|Narrow scope|Mask & rule refinement| |**HashcatHelper (Analytics)**|Post-crack analytics|Statistical + reuse analysis|Text, HTML, JSON|Enterprise-grade reporting, reuse detection|Requires cracked output|Risk analysis & reporting| |**ZXCVBN**|Entropy estimation|Password strength modeling|Score / entropy|Human-realistic strength scoring|Not a cracking tool|Policy & training validation| --- ### Management, Orchestration & GUIs |Tool|Role|Architecture|Features|Strengths|Limitations|Best Use Case| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**CrackerJack**|Hashcat GUI|Web (Flask)|Dictionary, Mask, Brute Force|Session tracking, usability|Reduced flexibility vs CLI|Supervised cracking ops| |**HashView**|Distributed cracking dashboard|Server/Agent|Job management, monitoring|QoL improvements|Storage-heavy, manual start|Multi-node cracking| |**Hashtopolis**|Distributed cracking|Web + Agents|Job scheduling, rule mgmt|Scalable, mature|Setup complexity|Team-based cracking| |**CrackLord**|Distributed cracking|Web-based|Multi-engine support|Easy UI|Aging project|Lab environments| --- ### Supporting & Auxiliary Tools |Tool|Purpose|Strength|Typical Integration| |---|---|---|---| |**CyberChef**|Encoding/decoding|Rapid transformation|Pre-hash analysis| |**Decodify**|Recursive decoding|Custom encoding discovery|Web app reversing| |**Silver Searcher (ag)**|Fast regex search|Extreme speed|Hash extraction| |**rling**|Wordlist deduplication|Massive performance|Dictionary hygiene| |**PACK / PACK2**|Mask & rule generation|Statistical masks|Hashcat optimization| --- ### Operational Maturity Assessment |Tool|Skill Level Required|Automation Potential|Research Suitability| |---|---|---|---| |Hashcat|High|Very High|Excellent| |John the Ripper|Medium–High|High|Excellent| |MDXFIND|Expert|Medium|Excellent| |Pipal|Low–Medium|High|Excellent| |HashcatHelper|Medium|Very High|Excellent| |CrackerJack|Low–Medium|Medium|Moderate| --- ## Key Takeaways - **Hashcat remains the core execution engine**, with everything else either feeding it (analysis, wordlists, rules) or managing it (GUIs, orchestration). - **Pipal + PACK + PASSPAT** form a **pattern intelligence layer** that directly improves mask, rule, and hybrid efficiency. - **HashcatHelper bridges cracking results into identity risk**, especially when paired with BloodHound for attack path analysis. - Tools naturally separate into: - **Execution engines** - **Pattern discovery** - **Orchestration & UX** - **Graph & risk enrichment** --- [[Resources]] [[Home]]