Once complete, the tool will output the discovered AES key(s) to a text file. Users may need to test multiple potential keys if the tool returns more than one candidate until they find the correct one.
Run the batch script named "RUN Find 256-bit UE4 AES Key" .
The tool is designed for ease of use, often requiring no installation—it's a portable executable ( .exe ).
Over time, GHFear's suite of extraction utilities has evolved from community scripts like AESKeyFinder to comprehensive solutions like AESDumpster , serving as an essential bridge for creators looking to reverse-engineer and mod modern PC titles. Why Video Games Use AES-256 Encryption
The tool will list potential keys. Look for the one marked with the ✓ VERIFIED badge.
Locating the correct file is key. You generally need the "Shipping.exe" file, typically found in the game's folder at ...\Binaries\Win64\ Execution: file into the same folder as the tool. Running the Script: Execute the batch file named RUN Find 256-bit UE4 AES Key Find 256-bit UE4 AES Key.bat Retrieval: The tool will generate a file containing the found AES key. The Cutting Room Floor Current Status
The tool includes a script to convert discovered keys from hexadecimal to base64 format, accommodating different use cases and downstream tools.
Static scanners cannot read encrypted text sections of a protected .exe . To circumvent this, developers and modders pass the protected executable through a DRM-stripper tool, such as , before running GHFear's key finder script. Steamless unpacks the outer wrapper, outputting a clean, unprotected binary file that version 1.9 can read immediately. The Evolution: Legacy Status vs. AESDumpster
Version 1.9 reduced the key-finding time from minutes to just a few seconds . It also introduced a feature to check for Steamstub Packaging , a common DRM layer that often blocked simple scanners.
Safeguards proprietary intellectual property like custom character meshes or proprietary music tracks.
GHFear has since released more advanced versions of this technology: