PAX password protected bitmap (.pax)
.pax file signature | application/octet-stream
PAX password protected bitmap is a proprietary raster image format associated with the PAX software suite and maintained by its original vendor. It was used to store bitmap images with access controls for distribution, archiving, and limited viewing in applications that supported PAX files. The format is uncommon today and may require specialized software to open; because it is password protected, users should treat files from untrusted sources with caution.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
50 41 58
Sources: Gary Kessler
Extension
.pax
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
Byte Offset
0
Risk Level
Safe
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, 0x41, 0x58])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(3) == signatureHow to validate .pax files in Node.js
function isPAX(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x50, 0x41, 0x58]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 3).equals(signature);
}How to validate .pax files in Go
func IsPAX(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x50, 0x41, 0x58}
if len(data) < 3 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:3], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/pax
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pax
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .pax file?
A .pax file is a PAX password protected bitmap file. PAX password protected bitmap is a proprietary raster image format associated with the PAX software suite and maintained by its original vendor. It was used to store bitmap images with access controls for distribution, archiving, and limited viewing in applications that supported PAX files. The format is uncommon today and may require specialized software to open; because it is password protected, users should treat files from untrusted sources with caution.
What are the magic bytes for .pax files?
The magic bytes for PAX password protected bitmap files are 50 41 58 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 41 58) 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?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .pax files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
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.