The “nth” command, also known as Name That Hash, is a tool that allows users to instantly identify the type of a given hash. It is a helpful tool for security professionals, developers, and anyone working with hash functions. The “nth” command supports various use cases and provides flexibility in naming hashes.

Use case 1: Name a hash

Code:

nth -t 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99

Motivation: The motivation behind naming a hash is to quickly determine the type of the hash without manually analyzing its characteristics. This can be useful for identifying common hash algorithms or algorithms specific to a certain domain.

Explanation:

• -t specifies the option to name a single hash.
• 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99 represents the hash value to be named.

Example Output:

Hash: 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99
Algorithm: MD5

Use case 2: Name hashes in a file

Code:

nth -f path/to/hashes

Motivation: When dealing with a large number of hashes stored in a file, it is impractical to name each hash individually. The option to name hashes in a file allows for efficient batch processing.

Explanation:

• -f specifies the option to name hashes in a file.
• path/to/hashes represents the path to the file containing the hashes to be named.

Example Output:

Hash: 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99
Algorithm: MD5

Hash: fdbb22e6c5197ac4aa42f2f5e58a8851
Algorithm: SHA1

Hash: aaf4c61ddcc5e8a2dabede0f3b482cd9aea9434d
Algorithm: SHA224

...

Use case 3: Output in JSON format

Code:

nth -t 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99 -g

Motivation: The JSON format provides a structured and machine-readable output that can easily be processed by other programs or scripts. This allows for seamless integration with other tools in a workflow.

Explanation:

• -g specifies the option to output the result in JSON format.
• -t denotes the single hash that needs to be named.
• 5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99 represents the hash value to be named.

Example Output:

{
  "hash": "5f4dcc3b5aa765d61d8327deb882cf99",
  "algorithm": "MD5"
}

Use case 4: Decode hash in Base64 before naming it

Code:

nth -t NWY0ZGNjM2I1YWE3NjVkNjFkODMyN2RlYjg4MmNmOTkK -b64

Motivation: Some hash values may be encoded in Base64 format, especially when used in certain contexts. Decoding the hash value before naming it ensures accurate identification of the hash algorithm.

Explanation:

• -b64 specifies the option to decode the hash value in Base64 format before naming it.
• -t denotes the single hash that needs to be named.
• NWY0ZGNjM2I1YWE3NjVkNjFkODMyN2RlYjg4MmNmOTkK represents the Base64-encoded hash value to be named.

Example Output:

Hash: NWY0ZGNjM2I1YWE3NjVkNjFkODMyN2RlYjg4MmNmOTkK
Algorithm: SHA256

Conclusion:

The “nth” command is a versatile tool for quickly identifying the type of any hash. With options to name single hashes, process hashes in a file, output results in JSON format, and decode Base64-encoded hashes, it offers flexibility for various use cases. Whether you’re a security professional, developer, or working with hash functions, the “nth” command helps streamline hash identification and analysis.