Passware Kit also creates an extracted-records.json file with the complete extracted data. Strings shorter than 128 symbols are considered passwords and saved to a Passwords.txt file, while json and bplist binary files are extracted as-is. After the successful recovery of a password, Passware Kit extracts all records that appear readable and saves the rest of the data in a file. Unfortunately, the password recovery for Local Items Keychain cannot be accelerated on GPU. To recover the user.kb password on a Mac without a T2 chip, Passware Kit requires the 128-bit universally unique identifier number (UUID), which is the same as the name of the Keychain folder. By default, the user.kb password is the same as the macOS user password. Passware Kit recovers a password for the user.kb file and then decrypts the keychain-2.db database. If the iCloud synchronization is turned on, the keychain-2.db may contain passwords from other devices as well. It presents two files: a keybag ( user.kb file) and an SQLite database with encrypted records ( keychain-2.db). It contains encryption keys, applications data, webform entries, and some iOS data synced with iCloud. The Local Items Keychain is used for keychain items that can be synced with iCloud Keychain. The file, which is usually located in /Library/Keychains/, can be decrypted instantly if a “Master Key” file is available (usually located in /private/var/db/SystemKey).

The System Keychain stores items that are accessed by the OS, such as Wi-Fi passwords, and shared among users. The password recovery process for this Keychain is time-consuming, but it can be accelerated by using GPU, reaching speeds of up to 1,200,000 passwords per second on an AMD 6900 XT. By default, the Login Keychain password is the same as the Mac user password. The data is stored in a file named login.keychain located in /Users//Library/Keychains. The Login Keychain is the default Keychain file that stores most of the passwords, secure notes, and other data. There are three types of Mac Keychains: Login Keychain, System Keychain, and Local Items (iCloud) Keychain.

These records are dynamically linked to users’ particular login passwords so that, when they log on to a Mac device, all of their various accounts and passwords are made available to the operating system and select applications. It stores account names, passwords, private keys, certificates, sensitive application data, payment data, and secure notes. Keychain or Keychain Services is the password management system in macOS and iOS. Not only does Keychain contain passwords from websites and applications, but it can also provide computer forensics with access to the same user’s other Apple devices. When it comes to the forensic investigation of Apple devices, a Keychain analysis is of particular importance.

Recover keychain password