Windows Security blocked a threat in Hirens BootCD

Hirens BootCD version 10.2 (older version)

It found PWDump!rfn and Google AI says The !rfn part is not a standard, publicly documented command-line switch for PWDump

Did a search in these forums for "PWDump" and got no hits

Anyone know anything about this? I'm guessing it's OK and that it only has POTENTIAL for misuse.
I downloaded Hirens BootCD for my neighbors Windows 7 computer that won't boot.

Part of the answer from ChatGPT:

What PWDump Is​

PWDump is a utility that extracts Windows password hashes (LM/NTLM) from the local Security Account Manager (SAM) database. On Hiren’s BootCD, it is typically used offline, meaning the target Windows installation is not running.

Fabler2 said:

Part of the answer from ChatGPT:

What PWDump Is​

PWDump is a utility that extracts Windows password hashes (LM/NTLM) from the local Security Account Manager (SAM) database. On Hiren’s BootCD, it is typically used offline, meaning the target Windows installation is not running.

Click to expand...

It's the "!rfn" part that was said to be an undocumented command-line switch.

john1955 said:

It's the "!rfn" part that was said to be an undocumented command-line switch.

Click to expand...

This is more from ChatGPT

"
In **PWDump!rfn**, the **`!rfn`** portion is not a command-line switch; it is part of the **tool’s name** and identifies a **specific modified variant** of the original `pwdump` utility.

### Meaning of `!rfn`

`rfn` is generally understood to stand for **“Remote File Name.”**
In this context, it refers to an implementation detail of that pwdump variant:

* The tool installs or invokes its helper component (typically via a temporary service) using a **non-standard or randomly generated filename** rather than a fixed, well-known one.
* This behavior was introduced to **reduce signature-based detection** by antivirus and host-based intrusion detection systems that were flagging earlier `pwdump` versions by filename.

The **exclamation mark (`!`)** is commonly used in underground or security-tool naming conventions to indicate a **modified, enhanced, or evasive variant** of an existing tool.

### High-level context

* `pwdump` tools extract Windows password hashes from the SAM database.
* Over time, defenders began detecting early versions easily.
* Variants such as **PWDump!rfn** appeared to change service names, filenames, or loading behavior to be less predictable.

### Important note

PWDump and its variants are **dual-use tools**:

* Legitimate uses: password recovery, auditing, incident response (with authorization).
* Illegitimate uses: credential theft and lateral movement.

Accordingly, they are commonly classified as **malware or “hacktools”** by modern security products. "

Fabler2 said:

This is more from ChatGPT

"
~ ~ ~

PWDump and its variants are **dual-use tools**:

* Legitimate uses: password recovery, auditing, incident response (with authorization).
* Illegitimate uses: credential theft and lateral movement.

Accordingly, they are commonly classified as **malware or “hacktools”** by modern security products. "

Click to expand...

Thanks for that ;o)

@john1955

If you don't already have one, I'd get a 2.5" SSD to save full backups of your Windows install.
Then you really won't need Hiren's BootCD.

Windows Security has a tendency to flag things as bad sometimes, when they really aren't bad.
Some kind of corporate shenanigans.

3rd party backup software allows you to avoid all that.




Or... you could just add an exclusion for Hiren's BootCD, to your Windows Security.

I'd be trying to convince the neighbor to get rid of Windows 7.

Ghot said:

@john1955

If you don't already have one, I'd get a 2.5" SSD to save full backups of your Windows install.
Then you really won't need Hiren's BootCD.

Windows Security has a tendency to flag things as bad sometimes, when they really aren't bad.
Some kind of corporate shenanigans.

3rd party backup software allows you to avoid all that.

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...

www.elevenforum.com

Or... you could just add an exclusion for Hiren's BootCD, to your Windows Security.

Click to expand...

I do that for my own PC but my neighbor's just quit and her backup is 7 years old so I thought I would just get this before I take a look at it. She might just need a power supply . . . it's quite old running Windows 7

glasskuter said:

I'd be trying to convince the neighbor to get rid of Windows 7.

Click to expand...

I will if I can find something she can afford. I see some refurbished mini computers on Amazon

john1955 said:

I will if I can find something she can afford. I see some refurbished mini computers on Amazon

Click to expand...

Check out Beelink or NUC, mini PCs on Amazon.

Load Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu on that old sucker and call it a day.

I've' bought a number of 100% win11 compatible off-lease Optiplexes for around $150 . Some even came with 11 preloaded.
Some are MT form factor, and some are micro form factor. If she's on 7, more than likely her monitor may be VGA only. I don't think you will find a modern PC with a vga connection anymore.

glasskuter said:

Load Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu on that old sucker and call it a day.

I've' bought a number of 100% win11 compatible off-lease Optiplexes for around $150 . Some even came with 11 preloaded.
Some are MT form factor, and some are micro form factor. If she's on 7, more than likely her monitor may be VGA only. I don't think you will find a modern PC with a vga connection anymore.

Click to expand...

There are some on Amazon still for $149

Dell OptiPlex 3050 Micro Form Factor Desktop Computer, Intel Core i5-7500T, 8GB DDR4, 256GB Solid State Drive, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)​

And $100 for a Dell SE2425HM Monitor -

@john1955

Beelink Mini PC - New


Just add keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Go with a 8th generation core or later. 7th gen not on compatibility list. which means workaround has been installed.

glasskuter said:

Go with a 8th generation core or later. 7th gen not on compatibility list. which means workaround has been installed.

Click to expand...

That would be $250.00 and up on Amazon.

These specs are better than the PC I'm on now LOL but mine is still better . . .

Dell OptiPlex 7060 SFF PC | Intel Core i5-8500 | 8GB RAM | 256GB NVME | Windows 11 Pro | Built in AX210 Wi-Fi+ BT

I bought mine from a reputable seller on ebay who sells off-lease corporate machines. I've bought from him many times over the years. Since Win11 was released in 2021, I've purchased 12 of his machines for different people whose old hardware was not compatible.. He guarantees every one. This particular seller sells with no OS installed.. They each have underlying Win 10 Pro licenses and activate 11 without issue.

glasskuter said:

I bought mine from a reputable seller on ebay who sells off-lease corporate machines. I've bought from him many times over the years. Since Win11 was released in 2021, I've purchased 12 of his machines for different people whose old hardware was not compatible.. He guarantees every one. This particular seller sells with no OS installed.. They each have underlying Win 10 Pro licenses and activate 11 without issue.

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I think Ive seen this Ebay seller in the past but I dont know who he is (didn't save the name) or if he has anything like this now.
Let me know if you have his name.

Edit: Juluplus has a bunch of then for 170.00 with Win-10