Tensor-based trapdoors for CVP and their application to public key cryptography

We propose two trapdoors for the Closest-Vector-Problem in lattices (CVP) related to the lattice tensor product. Using these trapdoors we set up a lattice-based cryptosystem which resembles to the McEliece scheme

Cryptanalyzing a discrete-time chaos synchronization secure communication system

This paper describes the security weakness of a recently proposed secure communication method based on discrete-time chaos synchronization. We show that the security is compromised even without precise knowledge of the chaotic system used. We also make many suggestions to improve its security in future versions.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, latex forma

Variations of the McEliece Cryptosystem

Two variations of the McEliece cryptosystem are presented. The first one is based on a relaxation of the column permutation in the classical McEliece scrambling process. This is done in such a way that the Hamming weight of the error, added in the encryption process, can be controlled so that efficient decryption remains possible. The second variation is based on the use of spatially coupled moderate-density parity-check codes as secret codes. These codes are known for their excellent error-correction performance and allow for a relatively low key size in the cryptosystem. For both variants the security with respect to known attacks is discussed

Analysis of reaction and timing attacks against cryptosystems based on sparse parity-check codes

In this paper we study reaction and timing attacks against cryptosystems based on sparse parity-check codes, which encompass low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and moderate-density parity-check (MDPC) codes. We show that the feasibility of these attacks is not strictly associated to the quasi-cyclic (QC) structure of the code but is related to the intrinsically probabilistic decoding of any sparse parity-check code. So, these attacks not only work against QC codes, but can be generalized to broader classes of codes. We provide a novel algorithm that, in the case of a QC code, allows recovering a larger amount of information than that retrievable through existing attacks and we use this algorithm to characterize new side-channel information leakages. We devise a theoretical model for the decoder that describes and justifies our results. Numerical simulations are provided that confirm the effectiveness of our approach

LEDAkem: a post-quantum key encapsulation mechanism based on QC-LDPC codes

This work presents a new code-based key encapsulation mechanism (KEM) called LEDAkem. It is built on the Niederreiter cryptosystem and relies on quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check codes as secret codes, providing high decoding speeds and compact keypairs. LEDAkem uses ephemeral keys to foil known statistical attacks, and takes advantage of a new decoding algorithm that provides faster decoding than the classical bit-flipping decoder commonly adopted in this kind of systems. The main attacks against LEDAkem are investigated, taking into account quantum speedups. Some instances of LEDAkem are designed to achieve different security levels against classical and quantum computers. Some performance figures obtained through an efficient C99 implementation of LEDAkem are provided.Comment: 21 pages, 3 table

An efficient and secure RSA--like cryptosystem exploiting R\'edei rational functions over conics

We define an isomorphism between the group of points of a conic and the set of integers modulo a prime equipped with a non-standard product. This product can be efficiently evaluated through the use of R\'edei rational functions. We then exploit the isomorphism to construct a novel RSA-like scheme. We compare our scheme with classic RSA and with RSA-like schemes based on the cubic or conic equation. The decryption operation of the proposed scheme turns to be two times faster than RSA, and involves the lowest number of modular inversions with respect to other RSA-like schemes based on curves. Our solution offers the same security as RSA in a one-to-one communication and more security in broadcast applications.Comment: 18 pages, 1 figur

Cryptanalysis of a One-Time Code-Based Digital Signature Scheme

We consider a one-time digital signature scheme recently proposed by Persichetti and show that a successful key recovery attack can be mounted with limited complexity. The attack we propose exploits a single signature intercepted by the attacker, and relies on a statistical analysis performed over such a signature, followed by information set decoding. We assess the attack complexity and show that a full recovery of the secret key can be performed with a work factor that is far below the claimed security level. The efficiency of the attack is motivated by the sparsity of the signature, which leads to a significant information leakage about the secret key.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Security and complexity of the McEliece cryptosystem based on QC-LDPC codes

In the context of public key cryptography, the McEliece cryptosystem represents a very smart solution based on the hardness of the decoding problem, which is believed to be able to resist the advent of quantum computers. Despite this, the original McEliece cryptosystem, based on Goppa codes, has encountered limited interest in practical applications, partly because of some constraints imposed by this very special class of codes. We have recently introduced a variant of the McEliece cryptosystem including low-density parity-check codes, that are state-of-the-art codes, now used in many telecommunication standards and applications. In this paper, we discuss the possible use of a bit-flipping decoder in this context, which gives a significant advantage in terms of complexity. We also provide theoretical arguments and practical tools for estimating the trade-off between security and complexity, in such a way to give a simple procedure for the system design.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure. This paper is a preprint of a paper accepted by IET Information Security and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. When the final version is published, the copy of record will be available at IET Digital Librar