Aes Key Finder 1.9 - By Ghfear Extra Quality ◎ < PREMIUM >

This article explores everything you need to know about AES Key Finder 1.9, from what it is and how it works to its usage, limitations, and the broader ecosystem of AES key extraction tools.

It is important to note that version 1.9 is . For example, a forum member reported that the tool failed to find a key for a game using UE 4.17.2 (an older version), suggesting that version 1.9 works best with engine versions 4.19 and above . A separate tool, AESDumpster , also by GHFear, covers UE 4.0–4.16 and even extends support to UE 5.x.

Cryptographic keys look like completely random data (high entropy) compared to standard game code. aes key finder 1.9 - by ghfear

To use the tool, operators navigate the local game installation folder to locate the main target binary.

The tool operates by scanning the compiled game’s main executable file — typically named GameName-Win64-Shipping.exe — and searching for specific patterns and signatures associated with AES key structures. When successful, it outputs the extracted key to a key.txt file, which can then be used to decrypt the game’s .pak archives.

Version 1.9 represented a significant milestone in the tool's development, focusing on speed and broader compatibility. Full 4.24 Support

While the QuickBMS-based script versions (like 1.9) are still widely referenced, GHFear has since developed more advanced versions, including available on Patreon and a more modern web-based/standalone tool called AES Dumpster , which supports versions up to Unreal Engine 5.6.

, a common form of DRM that can hide keys from simpler scanners. Conversion Scripting A separate tool, AESDumpster , also by GHFear, covers UE 4

Version 1.9 automatically scans compiled target binaries for memory signatures associated with the standard AES key schedule.

Some games implement custom encryption layers on top of Unreal Engine’s standard AES scheme, or they may embed the key in a non‑standard location. For such titles, even a DRM‑free executable will not yield a usable key. In these rare instances, alternative tools such as the Java‑based Aes_Finder may succeed where GHFear’s tool fails.

While early iterations of extraction utilities took minutes to crawl massive game executables, version 1.9 finishes scanning in a few seconds. Key Features and Engine Compatibility Feature / Metric Compatibility Details Primary Target Engine Unreal Engine 4 (UE4.19 to UE4.27+) Encryption Type 256-bit AES Keys (Hexadecimal format) Input Requirement Decrypted *-Shipping.exe binary Output File