Reversing algebraic equation with bitwise-XOR











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I'm trying to reverse an encryption scheme, but I seem to have fallen into a pit when it comes to reversal using algebra.



The encryption scheme is as follows for a single char (using registers and constants):



encrypted_char= (original_char XOR dl) + al
where:
eax = eax.previous * c1 +c2
edx = (eax >> c3)
eax.0 is a known seeded constant.


I want to solve this equation algebraically for original_char, but I'm running into a few problems, namely with order of operations for getting original char on it's own. Thinking about wraparound for negative numbers is also giving me a headache.



If anyone had any pointers for how to solve for the original_char, it would be appreciated. My first thoughts are to just subtract al and then xor with dl, but I'm starting to feel confused at this point.










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    up vote
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    down vote

    favorite












    I'm trying to reverse an encryption scheme, but I seem to have fallen into a pit when it comes to reversal using algebra.



    The encryption scheme is as follows for a single char (using registers and constants):



    encrypted_char= (original_char XOR dl) + al
    where:
    eax = eax.previous * c1 +c2
    edx = (eax >> c3)
    eax.0 is a known seeded constant.


    I want to solve this equation algebraically for original_char, but I'm running into a few problems, namely with order of operations for getting original char on it's own. Thinking about wraparound for negative numbers is also giving me a headache.



    If anyone had any pointers for how to solve for the original_char, it would be appreciated. My first thoughts are to just subtract al and then xor with dl, but I'm starting to feel confused at this point.










    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      I'm trying to reverse an encryption scheme, but I seem to have fallen into a pit when it comes to reversal using algebra.



      The encryption scheme is as follows for a single char (using registers and constants):



      encrypted_char= (original_char XOR dl) + al
      where:
      eax = eax.previous * c1 +c2
      edx = (eax >> c3)
      eax.0 is a known seeded constant.


      I want to solve this equation algebraically for original_char, but I'm running into a few problems, namely with order of operations for getting original char on it's own. Thinking about wraparound for negative numbers is also giving me a headache.



      If anyone had any pointers for how to solve for the original_char, it would be appreciated. My first thoughts are to just subtract al and then xor with dl, but I'm starting to feel confused at this point.










      share|improve this question













      I'm trying to reverse an encryption scheme, but I seem to have fallen into a pit when it comes to reversal using algebra.



      The encryption scheme is as follows for a single char (using registers and constants):



      encrypted_char= (original_char XOR dl) + al
      where:
      eax = eax.previous * c1 +c2
      edx = (eax >> c3)
      eax.0 is a known seeded constant.


      I want to solve this equation algebraically for original_char, but I'm running into a few problems, namely with order of operations for getting original char on it's own. Thinking about wraparound for negative numbers is also giving me a headache.



      If anyone had any pointers for how to solve for the original_char, it would be appreciated. My first thoughts are to just subtract al and then xor with dl, but I'm starting to feel confused at this point.







      assembly encryption reverse-engineering






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      asked Nov 7 at 21:51









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          I played with a toy example before posting and my answer is as follows:



          bitwise xor has the same precedence as multiplication, I just flip it over. I already knew that XOR was the inverse of XOR, but I thought I should state it here.
          The resulting formula is as follows:
          (encrypted_char - al) XOR dl = al
          What goes into the larger registers doesn't need to be toyed with to arrive at the correct solution.



          I will solve the wraparound using the modulus operation with the correct size for my variables.



          Using the above methods I was able to reverse the code.






          share|improve this answer





















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            up vote
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            down vote













            I played with a toy example before posting and my answer is as follows:



            bitwise xor has the same precedence as multiplication, I just flip it over. I already knew that XOR was the inverse of XOR, but I thought I should state it here.
            The resulting formula is as follows:
            (encrypted_char - al) XOR dl = al
            What goes into the larger registers doesn't need to be toyed with to arrive at the correct solution.



            I will solve the wraparound using the modulus operation with the correct size for my variables.



            Using the above methods I was able to reverse the code.






            share|improve this answer

























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              I played with a toy example before posting and my answer is as follows:



              bitwise xor has the same precedence as multiplication, I just flip it over. I already knew that XOR was the inverse of XOR, but I thought I should state it here.
              The resulting formula is as follows:
              (encrypted_char - al) XOR dl = al
              What goes into the larger registers doesn't need to be toyed with to arrive at the correct solution.



              I will solve the wraparound using the modulus operation with the correct size for my variables.



              Using the above methods I was able to reverse the code.






              share|improve this answer























                up vote
                1
                down vote










                up vote
                1
                down vote









                I played with a toy example before posting and my answer is as follows:



                bitwise xor has the same precedence as multiplication, I just flip it over. I already knew that XOR was the inverse of XOR, but I thought I should state it here.
                The resulting formula is as follows:
                (encrypted_char - al) XOR dl = al
                What goes into the larger registers doesn't need to be toyed with to arrive at the correct solution.



                I will solve the wraparound using the modulus operation with the correct size for my variables.



                Using the above methods I was able to reverse the code.






                share|improve this answer












                I played with a toy example before posting and my answer is as follows:



                bitwise xor has the same precedence as multiplication, I just flip it over. I already knew that XOR was the inverse of XOR, but I thought I should state it here.
                The resulting formula is as follows:
                (encrypted_char - al) XOR dl = al
                What goes into the larger registers doesn't need to be toyed with to arrive at the correct solution.



                I will solve the wraparound using the modulus operation with the correct size for my variables.



                Using the above methods I was able to reverse the code.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Nov 7 at 21:51









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