# All Questions

582 views

### Nonce role on stream ciphers

Modern stream ciphers usually predicts the usage of a nonce (also termed as IV) in the cryptosystem. The cost of initializing the cipher with the nonce varies from algorithm to algorithm (for ...
572 views

### Digital signatures in SSL/TLS-like protocols

The TLS protocol includes an optional Server Key Exchange message that is signed by the server. It seems to me that this message is digitally signed only to prove to the client that the message ...
94 views

### Could use an explanation of the notation for an oracle adversary

In the definition below, what exactly does it mean for the adversary (not even sure that's the correct term?) to equal one? $$\underset{K}{Pr} \left [A^{F_k(\cdot)} = 1 \right ]$$ Source (Page ...
2k views

### AES key/ciphertext space sizes

This is giving me a brain ache now... If I have AES-128, block is 128 bit, then every plaintext (128-bit) can be encrypted to some ciphertext that is also 128-bit. This is the block size. But: 128-bit ...
201 views

### Name for identical operations for encryption and decryption

Is there a name for the property of a cryptographic algorithm that the operations for encryption and decryption are identical, i.e. $E_k(x) = D_k(x)$ and accordingly $E_k(E_k(x)) = x$? An example ...
125 views

### Using UMAC with stream cypher

I understand that most stream ciphers, due to being applied with a simple XOR, are specially fragile against data tampering, and must be used with some MAC mechanism. So I am investigating the use of ...
96 views

### What is the most secure way to let Alice “input” her private key, transfer it to the server and decrypt the message?

What is the most secure way to let Alice "input" her private key, transfer it to the server and decrypt the message? (Then destroy the private key on the server) Every connection is using SSL. ...
284 views

### What are the cryptographic assumptions in the Dolev Yao model?

In the Dolev Yao model for interactive protocols, the cryptographic primitive (encryption, for example) is considered as a blackbox. Does blackbox here mean that the primitive is to be considered CPA ...
581 views

### using Post-quantum asymmetric ciphers instead of RSA

We can't trust RSA to encrypt our Emails so what is best post-quantum cryptography system as alternative for RSA which provide good security and don't be breakable? because McEliece cryptosystem looks ...
955 views

### Shamir Secret Sharing - Threshold decryption implementation

I'm implementing Shamir secret sharing in C using OpenSSL. I've split up the private key and I'm ready to start decrypting the original message using some of the shares. I set $n = 5$ (5 shares ...
234 views

### RSA keys finding when messages are known

I have this situation, where, in a game, people send messages to each other (game moves etc...) These messages need to be encrypted, and should only be readable by the destination person. I am using ...
411 views

### server side Javascript security

It is accepted that the javascript library lacks the ability to create an adequate PRNG. My understanding that this was mainly due to the limits of a sandboxed browser enviroment that javascript ...
1k views

### How to test distribution of a hash function?

From what I've found, it is generally accepted a cryptographic hash function like SHA-2 has an evenly, randomly distributed output. Is there a way to test this without running through the entire ...
470 views

### Can we construct fully homomorphic encryption scheme based on non-circuit approach?

At present, all FHE scheme are be constructed based on circuit approach. Can we construct fully homomorphic encryption scheme based on non-circuit approach? Is Polly cracker non-circuit approach ?
2k views

### Shortcuts / practicality of brute forcing block cipher (AES) + ECB with known plaintext

I know the plaintext (26 bytes long) and cryptotext of block cipher (suspected to be AES) in ECB mode. I can generate hundreds or thousands of such samples, but the samples are not arbitrary. What are ...
2k views

### BouncyCastle Elliptic Curve implementation

I'm implementing ECDH key exchange in C# using the BouncyCastle library and I'm having a hard time understanding the elliptic curve side (FpCurve). ...
3k views

### Calculating the inverse modularity of the determinant for Hill cipher

I'm trying to decrypt a message encrypted with Hill Cipher, but I don't understand how to find the determinant so it solves the equation $det * 1/det = 1 mod 26$. The determinant for my key matrix is ...
326 views

### What are the safe ways to derive HMAC key using block cipher?

Suppose we have a state of block cipher initialized with some key unknown to us, that is, we have the state after running key schedule, but we have no access to actual key or subkeys, all we can do is ...
986 views

### Self-expiring symmetric keys, or: cryptography in absence of secure deletion

I can encrypt some data D using a random symmetric key K, obtaining a ciphertext C, and then encrypt K with my public key Pub and obtain H. So far so good: I can only decrypt C if I have H and my ...
400 views

### Why can't Homomorphic encryption schemes support algorithms with conditions/branching?

If it isn't already apparent from the title of my question, i should make clear that I have only a very basic understanding of homomorphic encryption. I would like to know why homomorphic encryption ...
226 views

### How is the EAX-mode used in EAP-PSK (RFC 4764)?

According to the specification of RFC 4764, contents in EAP's third message and fourth message are required to be encrypted by AES-128 in EAX mode (also called protected channel). In RFC 4764, the ...
279 views

### Stream cipher malleability

Considering a stream cipher that produces a ciphertext $c$ from a message $m$ and a key $k$ is it possible to apply operations (multiplication and/or addition) directly to $c$ without knowing the key ...
191 views

### How many different keystreams can I produce with AES in Counter Mode?

I'm using a 64-bit nonce (incremented between the streams) and a 64-bit counter (incremented within a stream) for AES in CTR mode. How many different key streams can I produce with this setup?
1k views

### Using “Additional Authenticated Data” as a secondary key

In implementing a cipher in GCM or CCM mode, you are provided the option to add "Additional Authenticated Data" (AAD). This AAD is required for decrypting the cipher text, and seems to be used when ...
1k views

### Generating a strong unique Initialization Vector

How can I determine if I am generating a unique and strong Initialization Vector? If my mode is generating Keystream? Is there any scientific explanation in generating a unique and strong ...
239 views

### Byte location of plaintext vs ciphertext when using a block cipher or stream cipher

I know that when you use a stream cipher you are just XOR'ing the plain text with the PRNG stream, such that you know if a specific byte is in position 3 of the plain text it will still be in ...
3k views

### Use of nonces in Kerberos and Needham–Schroeder protocols

Can you please explain me what is the reason of using nonces in the Needham-Schroeder and in the Kerberos protocols for Key Transport. In particular : Can you explain me the use of $N_A$? And ...
264 views

### Regarding matsui's Paper on Linear Cryptanalysis of DES

I's going throught the the Paper by Matsui on Linear Cryptanalysis of DES . In that he says $NS_{5}(16,15)=12$ And then in the next paragraph he says considering the expansion and permutation phases ...
277 views

### Separate Read and Write Keys in TLS Key Material

Why does the TLS protocol use different symmetric keys for receiving and sending data? Isn't it enough to have a single key used for both reading and writing?
218 views

### Transparent cipher

I'm trying to implement this protocol: Alice has her permanent key $K_1$. She computes $E(K_1, P)$. She wants to share $P$ with Bob, Carol and Dave. For each of them she: 2.1. Generates $K_2$. ...
909 views

### Recovering the key in an ElGamal Signature Scheme variant

From page 318 in Stinson's "Cryptography: Theory and Practice", question 7.3: Suppose that Alice is using ElGamal Signature Scheme. In order to save time in generating >the random numbers k that ...
297 views

### Public Key Encryption with forward secrecy

Is there a known non-trivial system with plausibly secure public key encryption where: 1. $\;\;$ the $\:$ time $\:$ function is efficiently computable 2. $\;\;$ [pubkey,privkey] $\:$ pairs are ...
85 views

### Distributed knowledge problem

I need a way to distribute knowledge among multiple parties - lets start with two. The idea is while the knowledge is originally created by one party I need to transform it into a situation where no ...
620 views

### How are the primes used to generate RSA keys?

I am confused about how keys in RSA asymmetric encryption are generated and what the implications for open communications are. Textbooks say the one-way function is merely two primes (with some ...
998 views

### RC4 : Keystream reconstruction?

First up: it's a step in some challenge found on the Internet, where we get an application and a file. The application must be feed with that file and a password (the password is the flag for the ...
113 views

### Secure Remote Protocol - Are these 2 equations equivalent?

I'm implementing the Secure Remote Protocol that is specified to have this equation for the parameter S, the premaster secret. ...
228 views

### Shannon entropy calculation: is $H(A|R·A) = H(A)$?

Suppose I generate a random $m×m$ matrix $R$, where each of its elements belongs to $\mathbb Z_n$. I ensure that $R$ is invertible in $\mathbb Z_n^{m×m}$. Now I take a non-random $m×m$ ...
285 views

### synchronization of counters in HOTP

How is synchronization of counter values achieved in the HOTP protocol? As I understand it, the server increments its counter value only if a match (of the OTP value) is found. What happens at ...
596 views

### DES Crack simulation

I wish to simulate an implementation of a DES Cracker using verilog. But every paper I read give only abstract hints but no concrete steps or how really to go about it. How is it usually done? For ...
244 views

### AESManaged Trade Compliance Issue in United States

I am currently using AESManaged encryption for my silverlight application. Does AESManaged encryption have a severe trade compliance issue in Bureau of Industry and Security in terms of shipping the ...
1k views

### Cryptanalysis Affine Cipher: Brute-Force Search Vs. Meet-in-the-middle

Affine Cipher: $Enc(x) = (ax + b) \mod m$ $Dec(x) = a^{-1}(x-b) \mod m$ For a brute-force key search, we need to do $a \cdot b$ encryptions in the worst case. For a meet-in-the-middle attack, how ...
611 views

### Is there an effective way for public key generation in homomorphic encryption schemes?

Is there any way to effectively generate valid distributed public key in schemes like ElGamal or Benaloh for a number of participants? There's no need in private keys since there's no intent to ...
33 views

### Why are {0,1}-matrices almost-MDS only when n is 2, 3, or 4?

In this paper authors claim that {0,1}-matrices are almost-MDS (have branch number n - 1) on when n is 2, 3, or 4. For example, how can this two matrices have the same branch number? ...
56 views

### Cryptanalysis of XOR cipher with repeated key phrase

My assignment is to cryptanalyze cipher text that we know was encrypted with a stream cipher (bitwise XOR of plain text and key stream), and decrypt to plain text. We know the key stream is a repeated ...
52 views

### Get $a$ such that quadratic residue has a solution (Rabin)

My task is to implement Rabin signature. I have trouble with choosing padding a such that $$x^2 \equiv a \pmod n$$ has a solution. In that context, $n=p\cdot q$ is composite, where $p$ and $q$ are ...
56 views

### Multiplying integers modulo $2^{255}-19$ using the Curve25519 polynomial reduction algorithm

I'm reading the Curve25519 paper and I see that in page 11, under the title "Multiplying integers modulo $2^{255}-19$", it says: The coefficients of $x^{10}$; $x^{11}$; ...; $x^{18}$ in $uv$ are ...
55 views

### How can I show RSA OAEP IND-CPA secure

How can I show, that RSA with OAEP is IND-CPA secure by using G,H one way function?
63 views

### Understanding the Hidden Subgroup Problem specific to Integer Factorization

I've been reading about the Hidden Subgroup Problem (HSP), specifically trying to understand how it is related to the integer factorization problem. I've read What exactly is the impact of the hidden ...