IonCube?

[jigga1234]

hi I have a site that a friend has asked me to look at however it seems to have been encrypted with Ioncube.

 

If I decode the page I get "compiled code" however it looks like I will now have to build the code backwards into PHP somehow.

 

Does anyone know of a programme that will not cost my mate the earth that does this?

 

Or does anyone have any suggestions as to how might be the best way of getting around this?

 

I can see that the last developer decided well if you are not going to employ me any more I will make it virtually impossible to maintain your site.

 

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[MrPhil]

I can see that the last developer decided well if you are not going to employ me any more I will make it virtually impossible to maintain your site.

Does this site belong to your friend, and he is unable to access the code because the developer encrypted it with IonCube and left? If so, what did the developer's contract say? If he was supposed to deliver source code to your friend, he breached the contract and should have his sorry extortionist ass sued off. If there was no written contract, or it did not specify the deliverables, your friend may be out of luck. Google around for ioncube and see if there's anything that can be done to decrypt it. In order to run the code, it's got to be decrypted at some point, so maybe there's a "key" on the server somewhere? Maybe the IonCube folks can help out, but they will probably want proof of ownership and a payment. Your friend might explore getting a court order to turn over the unencrypted source, or at least the key. That would be expensive, but still cheaper than a full fledged lawsuit. Even cheaper would be hiring someone to break the developer's legs.

 

On the other hand, if this site belongs to someone else and your friend merely wants to steal the code -- shame on them.

[jigga1234]

Does this site belong to your friend, and he is unable to access the code because the developer encrypted it with IonCube and left? If so, what did the developer's contract say? If he was supposed to deliver source code to your friend, he breached the contract and should have his sorry extortionist ass sued off. If there was no written contract, or it did not specify the deliverables, your friend may be out of luck. Google around for ioncube and see if there's anything that can be done to decrypt it. In order to run the code, it's got to be decrypted at some point, so maybe there's a "key" on the server somewhere? Maybe the IonCube folks can help out, but they will probably want proof of ownership and a payment. Your friend might explore getting a court order to turn over the unencrypted source, or at least the key. That would be expensive, but still cheaper than a full fledged lawsuit. Even cheaper would be hiring someone to break the developer's legs.

 

On the other hand, if this site belongs to someone else and your friend merely wants to steal the code -- shame on them.

 

They were friends and one of them did it as a favour out of work for the other.

They fell out and as a consequence the developer friend said "of course I won't take your website away what type of friend do you think I am?"

He promtly encrypts everything and leaves it in the state I find it.

My mate is gutted and upset and I said I would try and help, I think it is going to be to much hassle and therefore will try to see if there is anything on more on Google and then just admit defeat.

 

Oh and I agree about the website stealing I did try to explain to him that that was the reason for IonCube and it is a good thing, but my mate did make the point that when things like this happen it shows both the positives and negatives of developers and asking friends to help.