memfrob(3) Library Functions Manual memfrob(3)

memfrob - memory frobnicate (obfuscate)

Standard C library (libc-lc)

#define _GNU_SOURCE             /* See feature_test_macros(7) */
#include <string.h>  // see memory.h(3head)
void *memfrob(size_t n;
              void s[n], size_t n);

The memfrob() function obfuscates the first n bytes of the memory area s by exclusive-ORing each character with the number 42. The effect can be reversed by using memfrob() on the obfuscated memory area.

Note that this function is not a proper encryption routine as the XOR constant is fixed, and is suitable only for hiding strings.

The memfrob() function returns a pointer to the obfuscated memory area.

For an explanation of the terms used in this section, see attributes(7).

Interface Attribute Value
memfrob () Thread safety MT-Safe

GNU.

memory.h(3head), strfry(3)

2026-08-05 Linux man-pages 6.19