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May 23, 2023

What is EFIPW and How to Use it to Modify Apple EFI Firmware Passwords

How to Modify Apple EFI Firmware Passwords with EFIPW

Apple EFI firmware passwords are used to prevent unauthorized access to the boot options of Mac computers. They are set by using the Firmware Password Utility or the Startup Security Utility on Mac OS X. However, sometimes you may need to change or remove the EFI firmware password, for example, if you forget it or if you want to perform a clean install of Mac OS X.

EFIPW – Modify Apple EFI Firmware Passwords

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One way to modify Apple EFI firmware passwords is by using a tool called EFIPW. EFIPW is a command-line tool that can decode and modify Apple EFI firmware passwords on Intel machines running Leopard or newer. It is designed after the non open source OFPW utility and is useful for lab deployments and pen tests.

What is EFIPW and How Does it Work?

EFIPW is a tool that can be used to decode and modify Apple EFI firmware passwords via the command line. It is designed after the non open source OFPW utility and is designed to work on Intel machines running Leopard or newer. Useful for lab deployments (setting the firmware password of machines as a post install item) and pen tests (recovering the EFI firmware password) .

EFIPW works by reading and writing to the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) of the Mac computer, where the EFI firmware password is stored. It uses a simple algorithm to decode and encode the password, which is based on the serial number of the machine and a salt value .

How to Use EFIPW to Modify Apple EFI Firmware Passwords?

To use EFIPW, you need to have access to the Mac computer and be able to boot it from an external drive or a recovery partition. You also need to download EFIPW from here: https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/85795/ and unzip it to a folder on your external drive or recovery partition.

Then, you need to follow these steps:

Boot the Mac computer from your external drive or recovery partition.

Open a terminal window and navigate to the folder where you unzipped EFIPW.

Type ./efipw -d to display the current EFI firmware password. If there is no password set, it will say "No password set".

Type ./efipw -c newpassword to change the EFI firmware password to "newpassword". You can use any alphanumeric characters for the new password.

Type ./efipw -d again to verify that the new password has been set.

Type ./efipw -r to remove the EFI firmware password. This will delete the password from the NVRAM and allow you to boot normally without entering a password.

Type ./efipw -d again to verify that the password has been removed.

Reboot the Mac computer and enjoy your modified EFI firmware password.

What are the Benefits and Risks of Modifying Apple EFI Firmware Passwords with EFIPW?

Modifying Apple EFI firmware passwords with EFIPW can have some benefits and risks, depending on your situation and purpose. Here are some of them:

Benefits

You can recover or reset the EFI firmware password if you forget it or lose it.

You can change the EFI firmware password to something more secure or memorable.

You can remove the EFI firmware password if you don't need it or want it anymore.

You can perform a clean install of Mac OS X without being blocked by the EFI firmware password.

You can access the boot options of your Mac computer without entering a password.

Risks

You may void the warranty of your Mac computer by modifying the EFI firmware password.

You may damage the NVRAM or the EFI firmware of your Mac computer by using EFIPW incorrectly or maliciously.

You may expose your Mac computer to unauthorized access or attacks by removing or changing the EFI firmware password.

You may lose some security features or protections that are enabled by the EFI firmware password.

You may encounter some compatibility issues or errors with some software or hardware that rely on the EFI firmware password.

What are the Alternatives to Modifying Apple EFI Firmware Passwords with EFIPW?

If you don't want to use EFIPW or if you can't use it for some reason, there are some alternatives to modifying Apple EFI firmware passwords. Here are some of them:

Using the Firmware Password Utility or the Startup Security Utility

You can use the Firmware Password Utility or the Startup Security Utility on Mac OS X to set, change, or remove the EFI firmware password. These utilities are built-in to the Mac OS X and can be accessed by booting into the recovery mode. However, these utilities require you to know the current EFI firmware password or have access to an administrator account on the Mac computer.

Using a Hardware Reset Tool

You can use a hardware reset tool to reset the EFI firmware password on some older Mac models. These tools are usually small devices that plug into the logic board of the Mac computer and override the EFI firmware password. However, these tools are not widely available and may not work on newer Mac models.

Using a Service Provider

You can use a service provider to reset or remove the EFI firmware password on your Mac computer. These service providers are usually authorized by Apple or have access to special tools or software that can modify the EFI firmware password. However, these service providers may charge you a fee and may require you to provide proof of ownership or authorization for your Mac computer.

How to Optimize Your Mac Computer After Modifying Apple EFI Firmware Passwords with EFIPW?

After modifying Apple EFI firmware passwords with EFIPW, you may want to optimize your Mac computer to ensure its performance and security. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Update Your Mac OS X and Software

You should update your Mac OS X and software to the latest versions to fix any bugs or vulnerabilities that may affect your Mac computer. You can use the Software Update feature on Mac OS X to check for and install any available updates.

Backup Your Data

You should backup your data regularly to prevent any data loss or corruption that may occur due to hardware failure, software error, or malicious attack. You can use the Time Machine feature on Mac OS X to backup your data to an external drive or a cloud service.

Scan Your Mac Computer for Malware

You should scan your Mac computer for malware to detect and remove any harmful or unwanted programs that may compromise your Mac computer. You can use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to scan your Mac computer and quarantine or delete any malware.

Conclusion

EFIPW is a tool that can be used to decode and modify Apple EFI firmware passwords via the command line. It is designed to work on Intel machines running Leopard or newer and is useful for lab deployments and pen tests. However, modifying Apple EFI firmware passwords with EFIPW can also have some benefits and risks, depending on your situation and purpose. Therefore, you should use EFIPW with caution and responsibility, and follow some tips to optimize your Mac computer after modifying the EFI firmware password.

We hope this article has helped you understand what EFIPW is and how to use it to modify Apple EFI firmware passwords. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.