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WAuth is a Python library that stores encrypted secrets in a local SQLite vault and, by default, derives the encryption key from a salted machine identifier. That can make a vault difficult to move: a database encrypted on one computer generally cannot be decrypted on another using each machine’s own derived key. Despite the “silicon” framing, the available WAuth documentation does not establish TPM binding, Secure Enclave integration, or another hardware-backed root of trust.
What WAuth does
WAuth is a beta Python library for storing and retrieving secrets. PyPI lists version 0.5.0, released May 7, 2026, and requires Python 3.9 or newer. Its documented storage options include an encrypted local SQLite vault, accessed through wsqlite, and a Docker secret driver that reads secrets from /run/secrets. The project describes support for text and files such as certificates and key files, retrieval and deletion, optional time-to-live expiration, key rotation, encrypted backup and restore, synchronous and asynchronous operations, and a valid() method that checks a candidate secret without returning the stored value. These are project-documented features, not independently reproduced test results. WAuth on PyPI; WAuth repository.
How the local vault works
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An application asks WAuth to store a value.
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WAuth derives an encryption key from a salted machine identifier by default, or uses a configured custom key.
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Fernet encrypts and authenticates the value into a token.
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The local vault stores that encrypted token in SQLite.
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On retrieval, WAuth loads the token, checks any configured expiration, decrypts it, and returns plaintext to the application.
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For container use, the documented driver factory checks Docker secrets under /run/secrets and can fall back to the local vault. The exact behavior depends on how an application configures and invokes WAuth; consult the project documentation for implementation details. WAuth on PyPI; WAuth repository.
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“Machine-locked” refers to WAuth’s documented default key derivation: the key is derived from a salted machine identifier. It does not, by itself, mean that the encryption key is held in a hardware security boundary. The reviewed project materials do not establish use of a TPM, Secure Enclave, or an unextractable hardware secret. In this context, “locked to silicon” is a metaphor, not a verified description of hardware-backed encryption.
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Machine binding also should not be read as protection against malware or an attacker who controls the running host. WAuth’s documented design describes encrypted storage and machine-derived keys; the available material does not substantiate a broader guarantee against someone able to access the application or its decrypted secrets.
Which encryption does Fernet use?
WAuth’s package description is internally inconsistent: its tagline says “Fernet (AES-256),” while its feature list and stack table identify Fernet as AES-128-CBC. The Fernet specification resolves the distinction: Fernet uses AES-128-CBC for encryption. Its 256-bit combined key is split into a 128-bit signing key and a 128-bit encryption key, and its token includes a 256-bit HMAC-SHA256 for authentication. So the precise description is AES-128-CBC encryption with a 256-bit combined key and HMAC-SHA256 authentication—not AES-256 encryption. Fernet specification.
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- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Can you move a WAuth vault to another computer?
Not by copying the database alone when it was encrypted using Machine A’s derived key. WAuth warns that secrets created on one machine cannot be decrypted on another under machine-derived keys. A backup preserves the encrypted data; it does not remove the key dependency. Restoration still requires the matching key or a configuration intended for cross-machine use. WAuth on PyPI; WAuth repository.
The project documents Docker secrets, environment variables, and custom_key as alternatives for sharing secrets across machines. A custom key can avoid relying on each machine’s distinct identifier, but it shifts responsibility to the application operator: the key must be provisioned and protected wherever the vault is used. Choose the arrangement before relying on a vault for migration or disaster recovery, and test restoration in the intended environment.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
How to assess WAuth’s security claims
The package description reports 98% test coverage, 129+ passing tests, and zero medium/high Bandit findings, attributed to the WAuth project maintainers in 2026. These are self-reported project metrics, not an independent cryptographic audit or proof that the design is production-secure. The repository lists a SECURITY.md and technical white paper, but the reviewed materials do not establish the scope, date, or independence of an audit. No conclusion that WAuth has been independently audited is supported by those figures. WAuth on PyPI; WAuth repository.
For a deployment decision, match the storage model to the threat and recovery requirements. WAuth documents a local machine-derived vault and Docker-secret integration, but the available evidence does not establish hardware-backed key custody or independent security review. Teams that need centralized access control, recovery across hosts, or externally managed keys should verify those requirements against the system they plan to use rather than infer them from the phrase “machine-locked.”
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