312-50V10 · Question #667
What is the algorithm used by LM for Windows2000 SAM?
The correct answer is B. DES. The LAN Manager (LM) hash used in the Windows 2000 SAM database relies on DES (Data Encryption Standard) to encrypt a fixed constant using split password segments as keys.
Question
What is the algorithm used by LM for Windows2000 SAM?
Options
- AMD4
- BDES
- CSHA
- DSSL
How the community answered
(52 responses)- A2% (1)
- B90% (47)
- C6% (3)
- D2% (1)
Why each option
The LAN Manager (LM) hash used in the Windows 2000 SAM database relies on DES (Data Encryption Standard) to encrypt a fixed constant using split password segments as keys.
MD4 is the algorithm used by NTLM, not LM - it hashes the full Unicode password rather than encrypting a constant string with DES.
LM hashing splits the password into two 7-character chunks, pads each to exactly 7 bytes, and uses each chunk as a DES key to encrypt the known constant string 'KGS!@#$%'. DES was used in the original LAN Manager implementation despite being cryptographically weak by modern standards. This split-DES design is what makes LM hashes highly vulnerable to cracking tools like L0phtCrack.
SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is not part of the LM hashing scheme and was never used in the Windows SAM LM password storage process.
SSL is a transport-layer security protocol, not a cryptographic algorithm used for password hashing or storage in the Windows SAM database.
Concept tested: LAN Manager LM hash uses DES encryption algorithm
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/windows-security/prevent-windows-store-lm-hash-password
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