How Bitwarden Encrypts and Decrypts Secrets

This article provides a detailed technical explanation of how Bitwarden and its open-source clone Vaultwarden handle encryption and decryption of user secrets. It covers the high-level architecture where secrets are encrypted client-side before being stored on the server, the role of a master key that is itself encrypted using the user's passphrase, and the two-step decryption process. The author also discusses self-hosting, the recent supply chain attack on the official Bitwarden CLI, and includes working Python code for those interested in building custom secret management tools. The content is directly relevant to IT/technology, focusing on encryption, password management, and software security.