{"status": "activated", "expiry": "2099-12-31", "product": "Nitro Pro 13"} Patch the URL string in binary to point to localhost:8080 (requires changing .rodata section – need to extend string length carefully). We aim to create a permanent offline activation without network calls.
Find CheckSignature function – it returns 0 on fail, 1 on success. Patch test eax, eax → xor eax, eax; inc eax; ret .
Example DLL injection code (MinHook):
Better: Run local HTTP proxy (e.g., mitmproxy) that returns a mock success response. Nitro expects JSON: Patch Nitro Pro 13
Hook RegQueryValueExW via API Monitor or a small injected DLL to spoof expired registry keys to fresh trial values.
Trial still phones home after 30 days; network check may override. B. Patching the Activation DLL (Persistent offline bypass) NitroActivation.dll exports IsActivated , ValidateLicense , GetRemainingDays .
004A2F17 call [GetLocalTime] 004A2F1C cmp word ptr [ebp-8], 0x7E5 ; 2025? 004A2F21 jg short 004A2F40 ; -> expired Patch jg → jmp to skip expiry block. Patch test eax, eax → xor eax, eax; inc eax; ret
127.0.0.1 activation.nitro.com 127.0.0.1 licensing.nitro.com Then Nitro falls back to offline activation? Not always – it may show "No internet connection" instead of activated.
Hook/overwrite return value.
In NitroPDF.exe , locate InternetOpenA and replace with RET (or inline mov eax, 1; ret if function is small). Trial still phones home after 30 days; network
Search for string "New version available" and patch the caller to jump over download dialog.
10001A30 push ebp 10001A31 mov ebp, esp 10001A33 call dword ptr [NitroActivation.dll+0x2F4C] ; internal check 10001A39 test eax, eax 10001A3B jnz activated 10001A3D xor eax, eax 10001A3F pop ebp 10001A40 ret activated: 10001A41 mov eax, 1 10001A46 pop ebp 10001A47 ret At 10001A33 replace call with mov eax, 1; ret (bytes: B8 01 00 00 00 C3 ).
Disassemble IsActivated :
<activation> <license_key>XXXXX-XXXXX-...</license_key> <machine_id>1234567890</machine_id> <expiry>2099-12-31</expiry> <signature>...</signature> </activation> The signature is RSA-based (likely 1024-bit) – without private key, you can’t forge. So instead…
Use a keygen (not covered here) or clone from a legit activated machine, then modify: