# Passwords for archive files [experimental]

ClamAV allows for users to specify password attempts for certain password-compatible archives. Passwords will be attempted in order of appearance in the password signature file which use the extension of `.pwdb`. If no passwords apply or none are provided, ClamAV will default to the original behavior of parsing the file.

Currently, as of ClamAV 0.99 [flevel 81], only `.zip` archives using the traditional PKWARE encryption are supported. The signature format is:

    SignatureName;TargetDescriptionBlock;PWStorageType;Password

where:

- `SignatureName`: name to be displayed during debug when a password is successful

- `TargetDescriptionBlock`: provides information about the engine and target file with comma separated Arg:Val pairs

  - `Engine:X-Y`: Required engine functionality level. See the FLEVEL reference for details.
  - `Container:CL_TYPE_*`: File type of applicable containers

- `PWStorageType`: determines how the password field is parsed

  - 0 = cleartext
  - 1 = hex

- `Password`: value used in password attempt

The signatures for password attempts are stored inside `.pwdb` files.