Sql-server – an “Obfuscation key” in SQL Server

database-internalsencryptionsql server

Jokes aside, what is an "Obfuscation key"? I'm just going off the docs.

sys.sysclsobjs Exists in every database. Contains a row for each classified entity that shares the same common properties that include the following:

…

Obfuscation key.

This seems to involve

  • Content/binn/sqllang.dll
  • Content/binn/sqlmin.dll

I would like to know what the key does and what is being obfuscated, and if that's available for the user.

Best Answer

I would guess they mean rows created for symmetric keys.

create symmetric key KeyTest with 
  algorithm = aes_128, 
  identity_value = '123456'
  encryption by password = '123456!Q';

go

-- Needs a DAC connection    
select *
from sys.sysclsobjs
where Name = 'KeyTest'

Result:

class id    name      status  type intprop  created                 modified
----- ----- --------- ------- ---- -------- ----------------------- -----------------------
56    259   KeyTest   0       A1   128      2017-12-22 08:43:33.170 2017-12-22 08:43:33.170
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