PAX password protected bitmap
application/octet-stream
Magic Bytes
Offset: 0
50 44 4E 33
The PAX password protected bitmap is an encrypted raster image format developed by security software developers for the secure storage and exchange of visual data. It is primarily utilized for protecting sensitive graphical information, requiring a password to decrypt and render the underlying pixel data in compatible viewing applications. While now considered a legacy format, it highlights early efforts at implementing file-level encryption for images; however, modern workflows typically utilize secure containers or encrypted archives instead.
Validation Code
How to validate .pax files in Python
def is_pax(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid PAX by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x50, 0x44, 0x4E, 0x33])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .pax files in Node.js
function isPAX(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x50, 0x44, 0x4E, 0x33]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .pax files in Go
func IsPAX(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x50, 0x44, 0x4E, 0x33}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/pax
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pax
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .pax file?
A .pax file is a PAX password protected bitmap file. The PAX password protected bitmap is an encrypted raster image format developed by security software developers for the secure storage and exchange of visual data. It is primarily utilized for protecting sensitive graphical information, requiring a password to decrypt and render the underlying pixel data in compatible viewing applications. While now considered a legacy format, it highlights early efforts at implementing file-level encryption for images; however, modern workflows typically utilize secure containers or encrypted archives instead.
What are the magic bytes for .pax files?
The magic bytes for PAX password protected bitmap files are 50 44 4E 33 at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .pax file?
To validate a .pax file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (50 44 4E 33) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .pax files?
The primary MIME type for .pax files is application/octet-stream.
Is it safe to open .pax files?
PAX password protected bitmap (.pax) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.