This private key is encrypted with AES-256-CBC, as indicated by the DEK-Info header:

DEK-Info: AES-256-CBC,353B80CD6D6AE8B97C9489F71E12DA0A

Here’s how you can decrypt it using Python and the cryptography library.

Key Information Found in the FileKey Information Found in the File

• AES-256-CBC: This tells us the file is encrypted with AES-256 in CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) mode.
• Initialization Vector (IV): Based on the DEK-Info section, the IV used during encryption is 353B80CD6D6AE8B97C9489F71E12DA0A, which is a 16-byte (128-bit) value, represented in hexadecimal format. You’ll need to convert it from hex to bytes to use it in your script.

What You’ll NeedWhat You’ll Need

You’ll need the following items to decrypt this RSA private key:

1. The encrypted key data.
2. The passphrase that was used to encrypt the private key.
3. The initialization vector (IV) derived from DEK-Info.

For this example, I’ll assume you have the passphrase needed to decrypt the key.

Python Decryption StepsPython Decryption Steps

Here’s how you can decrypt the key, using this information, with step-by-step instructions updated for your specific case:

1. Install the Python cryptography library (if it’s not installed yet):

   pip install cryptography

2. Code to decrypt the provided key:
   
   The following Python code demonstrates how to use the cryptography library to decrypt the key. You'll be prompted to enter your passphrase during execution.

from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.ciphers import Cipher, algorithms, modes
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives.kdf.pbkdf2 import PBKDF2HMAC
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import hashes
from cryptography.hazmat.backends import default_backend
from cryptography.hazmat.primitives import serialization

import os
import base64

# Step 1: Define base64-encoded encrypted key block (replace this with your own encrypted key)
encrypted_key_base64 = '''NU5iL4TPOyNHc5CD/wEEEl2HVv8NLQ6Gk...Your encrypted key here...'''

# Step 2: Convert the base64-encoded key to bytes and AES IV (from DEK-Info)
encrypted_rsa_key = base64.b64decode(encrypted_key_base64)
aes_iv_hex = '353B80CD6D6AE8B97C9489F71E12DA0A'
aes_iv = bytes.fromhex(aes_iv_hex)

# Step 3: Prompt user for the passphrase (this would have been used to encrypt the key)
passphrase = input("Enter the passphrase: ").encode('utf-8')

# Step 4: Derive the AES key from the passphrase using PBKDF2
# AES key derivation uses a key derivation function, typically with PBKDF2 in OpenSSL. Below, we assume that:
# - Salt = IV (we’re treating the IV as the salt for this example)

kdf = PBKDF2HMAC(
    algorithm=hashes.SHA1(),  # OpenSSL often uses SHA-1 for PBKDF2 in these scenarios
    length=32,  # AES-256 requires a 32-byte key
    salt=aes_iv,  # In this simplified example, we use the IV from DEK-Info as the salt
    iterations=2048,  # This is typical for OpenSSL-encrypted RSA private keys
    backend=default_backend()
)

# Step 5: Derive the encryption key using passphrase
aes_key = kdf.derive(passphrase)

# Step 6: Set up the AES cipher in CBC mode
cipher = Cipher(algorithms.AES(aes_key), modes.CBC(aes_iv), backend=default_backend())
decryptor = cipher.decryptor()

# Step 7: Decrypt the encrypted RSA private key
decrypted_rsa_key = decryptor.update(encrypted_rsa_key) + decryptor.finalize()

# Step 8: Load decrypted data as a private key object
try:
    rsa_private_key = serialization.load_der_private_key(decrypted_rsa_key, password=None, backend=default_backend())
    print("RSA private key successfully decrypted.")
except ValueError as e:
    print(f"Error loading private key: {e}. Check your passphrase and IV.")
    exit(1)

# Step 9: (Optional) Save the decrypted key to a PEM file
pem_private_key = rsa_private_key.private_bytes(
    encoding=serialization.Encoding.PEM,
    format=serialization.PrivateFormat.TraditionalOpenSSL,
    encryption_algorithm=serialization.NoEncryption()
)

# Step 10: Write the decrypted key to a file
with open('decrypted_rsa_private_key.pem', 'wb') as pem_file:
    pem_file.write(pem_private_key)

print("Decrypted RSA private key saved to 'decrypted_rsa_private_key.pem'")

Important Notes:Important Notes:

1. Passphrase: The code assumes you will enter the correct passphrase when prompted. This passphrase is used to derive the AES-256 key through PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2). The IV from DEK-Info is used here as the “salt” for key derivation, which is typical for OpenSSL-encrypted private keys.
2. AES-256 Decryption: The key derivation scheme matches the approach commonly used by OpenSSL for AES-256-CBC encrypted private keys. Specifically, it applies PBKDF2 hashed with SHA-1 and 2048 iterations to derive the AES key from the provided passphrase and IV.
3. File Output: Once the key has been decrypted successfully, it is saved as decrypted_rsa_private_key.pem in PEM format. You can adjust the filename if needed.

The above code decrypts an AES-256-CBC encrypted RSA private key, commonly seen when working with OpenSSL-generated keys. The key derivation leverages PBKDF2 with a passphrase and the IV from the DEK-Info section of the encrypted key block. The decrypted RSA private key is then saved in PEM format for easy access and further cryptographic operations.

I don't think he found it yet.

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BTC’s crowning achievement? Turning what was once a beacon of financial independence into a slower, clunkier, middleman-riddled imitation of the very banks it was supposed to replace. If Satoshi walked into this mess now, he’d have a good laugh, if not an aneurysm. But at least BTC’s devout followers can rest easy—if nothing else, they’ve proven that even the best ideas can be buried under enough nonsense.

Empathy

Yes, the first movie was mind-blowing for me. I don't think I've seen the others. I will check them out!

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Yes, the first movie was mind-blowing for me. I don't think I've seen the others. I will check them out!

You have definitely left a mark with your guides and honest advice.

Imagine the butterfly effect you have created over the years!

Too blurry.

Turn that vulnerability into an opportunity for growth!

I look forward to desktop apps that support all the silent payment functionality.

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I love how this brings back timeless discussions that are still super relevant today. I always read things differently a second time around.

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The core of the issue you're pointing out, and I think you're right to be cautious here, revolves around where the yield comes from. There's a famous saying that applies: "There is no such thing as a free lunch." Yield is never truly risk-free.

It is a moral hazard to believe that governments will bail out banks, and therefore it’s "risk-free." However, 2008 and events like the collapse of SVB in 2023 clearly show that even though many big banks were bailed out by government intervention, not all institutions survive.

Saifedean’s argument is consistent with Austrian Economics principles that highlight the importance of sound money and minimizing leverage in an environment with inelastic money supply.

Short-term measures to boost public sentiment ahead of elections can sometimes lead to long-term challenges.