performing-cryptographic-audit-of-application
Teaches your AI agent to review code like a senior developer and protect apps against attacks.
What it does
This tool checks your code and configuration files for security issues related to cryptography. It looks for exposed passwords, weak or outdated encryption methods, and other flaws that could leave your data vulnerable.
When to use it
- ✓When checking the security of a new application.
- ✓After a major code update.
- ✓Periodically, to ensure everything is secure.
Example of what to ask your AI
“Scan my Python code for insecure passwords or encryption methods.”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
The tool analyzes your code and configuration files. It searches for known patterns of cryptographic weaknesses, such as passwords written directly in the code or the use of encryption algorithms that are no longer considered secure.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills --skill performing-cryptographic-audit-of-applicationOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mukul975/Anthropic-Cybersecurity-Skills/main/skills/performing-cryptographic-audit-of-application/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
Performing Cryptographic Audit of Application
Overview
A cryptographic audit systematically reviews an application's use of cryptographic primitives, protocols, and key management to identify vulnerabilities such as weak algorithms, insecure modes, hardcoded keys, insufficient entropy, and protocol misconfigurations. This skill covers building an automated crypto audit tool that scans Python and configuration files for common cryptographic weaknesses.
When to Use
- When conducting security assessments that involve performing cryptographic audit of application
- When following incident response procedures for related security events
- When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
- When validating security controls through hands-on testing
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with cryptography concepts and tools
- Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
- Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
- Appropriate authorization for any testing activities
Objectives
- Detect usage of deprecated algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, DES, RC4)
- Identify insecure cipher modes (ECB) and padding schemes
- Find hardcoded keys, passwords, and secrets in source code
- Verify TLS/SSL configuration strength
- Check key derivation function parameters
- Validate random number generator usage
- Produce a structured audit report with findings and remediation
Key Concepts
Cryptographic Weakness Categories
| Category | Examples | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Weak Hashing | MD5, SHA-1 for integrity/signatures | High |
| Insecure Encryption | DES, 3DES, RC4, Blowfish | High |
| Bad Cipher Mode | ECB mode for any block cipher | High |
| Insufficient Key Size | RSA < 2048, AES-128 for long-term | Medium |
| Hardcoded Secrets | Keys/passwords in source code | Critical |
| Weak KDF | Low iteration PBKDF2, plain MD5 | High |
| Poor Entropy | time-based seeds, predictable IVs | High |
| Deprecated Protocols | SSLv3, TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1 | High |
Security Considerations
- Review both application code and configuration files
- Check third-party dependencies for known crypto vulnerabilities
- Verify certificates and TLS configurations on deployed servers
- Ensure secrets are loaded from environment variables or vaults
- Review key storage and rotation practices
Validation Criteria
- Scanner detects all injected test weaknesses
- MD5/SHA-1 usage for security purposes is flagged
- ECB mode usage is flagged
- Hardcoded keys/passwords are detected
- Weak KDF parameters are identified
- Report includes severity, location, and remediation
- False positive rate is below 10%
FAQ
What are 'cryptographic primitives'?
These are the basic building blocks of cryptography, like hashing algorithms (to check integrity) and encryption algorithms (to scramble data).
What does 'key management' mean?
It refers to how the secret keys used in cryptography are securely created, stored, used, and discarded.
What is a 'weak algorithm'?
It's an encryption method that has become outdated and can be broken by hackers relatively easily, compromising data security.
Details
Original description by the author
A cryptographic audit systematically reviews an application's use of cryptographic primitives, protocols, and key management to identify vulnerabilities such as weak algorithms, insecure modes, hardco
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 35k
- Ranking position
- #6049
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Updated
- 8/31/2026
Comments
- …
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