246 research outputs found
Revisiting LFSMs
Linear Finite State Machines (LFSMs) are particular primitives widely used in
information theory, coding theory and cryptography. Among those linear
automata, a particular case of study is Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs)
used in many cryptographic applications such as design of stream ciphers or
pseudo-random generation. LFSRs could be seen as particular LFSMs without
inputs.
In this paper, we first recall the description of LFSMs using traditional
matrices representation. Then, we introduce a new matrices representation with
polynomial fractional coefficients. This new representation leads to sparse
representations and implementations. As direct applications, we focus our work
on the Windmill LFSRs case, used for example in the E0 stream cipher and on
other general applications that use this new representation.
In a second part, a new design criterion called diffusion delay for LFSRs is
introduced and well compared with existing related notions. This criterion
represents the diffusion capacity of an LFSR. Thus, using the matrices
representation, we present a new algorithm to randomly pick LFSRs with good
properties (including the new one) and sparse descriptions dedicated to
hardware and software designs. We present some examples of LFSRs generated
using our algorithm to show the relevance of our approach.Comment: Submitted to IEEE-I
MV3: A new word based stream cipher using rapid mixing and revolving buffers
MV3 is a new word based stream cipher for encrypting long streams of data. A
direct adaptation of a byte based cipher such as RC4 into a 32- or 64-bit word
version will obviously need vast amounts of memory. This scaling issue
necessitates a look for new components and principles, as well as mathematical
analysis to justify their use. Our approach, like RC4's, is based on rapidly
mixing random walks on directed graphs (that is, walks which reach a random
state quickly, from any starting point). We begin with some well understood
walks, and then introduce nonlinearity in their steps in order to improve
security and show long term statistical correlations are negligible. To
minimize the short term correlations, as well as to deter attacks using
equations involving successive outputs, we provide a method for sequencing the
outputs derived from the walk using three revolving buffers. The cipher is fast
-- it runs at a speed of less than 5 cycles per byte on a Pentium IV processor.
A word based cipher needs to output more bits per step, which exposes more
correlations for attacks. Moreover we seek simplicity of construction and
transparent analysis. To meet these requirements, we use a larger state and
claim security corresponding to only a fraction of it. Our design is for an
adequately secure word-based cipher; our very preliminary estimate puts the
security close to exhaustive search for keys of size < 256 bits.Comment: 27 pages, shortened version will appear in "Topics in Cryptology -
CT-RSA 2007
Stream/block ciphers, difference equations and algebraic attacks
In this paper we introduce a general class of stream and block ciphers that
are defined by means of systems of (ordinary) explicit difference equations
over a finite field. We call this class "difference ciphers". Many important
ciphers such as systems of LFSRs, Trivium/Bivium and Keeloq are difference
ciphers. To the purpose of studying their underlying explicit difference
systems, we introduce key notions as state transition endomorphisms and show
conditions for their invertibility. Reducible and periodic systems are also
considered. We then propose general algebraic attacks to difference ciphers
which are experimented by means of Bivium and Keeloq.Comment: 22 page
Some Results on Distinguishing Attacks on Stream Ciphers
Stream ciphers are cryptographic primitives that are used to ensure the privacy of a message that is sent over a digital communication channel. In this thesis we will present new cryptanalytic results for several stream ciphers. The thesis provides a general introduction to cryptology, explains the basic concepts, gives an overview of various cryptographic primitives and discusses a number of different attack models. The first new attack given is a linear correlation attack in the form of a distinguishing attack. In this attack a specific class of weak feedback polynomials for LFSRs is identified. If the feedback polynomial is of a particular form the attack will be efficient. Two new distinguishing attacks are given on classical stream cipher constructions, namely the filter generator and the irregularly clocked filter generator. It is also demonstrated how these attacks can be applied to modern constructions. A key recovery attack is described for LILI-128 and a distinguishing attack for LILI-II is given. The European network of excellence, called eSTREAM, is an effort to find new efficient and secure stream ciphers. We analyze a number of the eSTREAM candidates. Firstly, distinguishing attacks are described for the candidate Dragon and a family of candidates called Pomaranch. Secondly, we describe resynchronization attacks on eSTREAM candidates. A general square root resynchronization attack which can be used to recover parts of a message is given. The attack is demonstrated on the candidates LEX and Pomaranch. A chosen IV distinguishing attack is then presented which can be used to evaluate the initialization procedure of stream ciphers. The technique is demonstrated on four candidates: Grain, Trivium, Decim and LEX
On the Design and Analysis of Stream Ciphers
This thesis presents new cryptanalysis results for several different stream cipher constructions. In addition, it also presents two new stream ciphers, both based on the same design principle. The first attack is a general attack targeting a nonlinear combiner. A new class of weak feedback polynomials for linear feedback shift registers is identified. By taking samples corresponding to the linear recurrence relation, it is shown that if the feedback polynomial has taps close together an adversary to take advantage of this by considering the samples in a vector form. Next, the self-shrinking generator and the bit-search generator are analyzed. Both designs are based on irregular decimation. For the self-shrinking generator, it is shown how to recover the internal state knowing only a few keystream bits. The complexity of the attack is similar to the previously best known but uses a negligible amount of memory. An attack requiring a large keystream segment is also presented. It is shown to be asymptotically better than all previously known attacks. For the bit-search generator, an algorithm that recovers the internal state is given as well as a distinguishing attack that can be very efficient if the feedback polynomial is not carefully chosen. Following this, two recently proposed stream cipher designs, Pomaranch and Achterbahn, are analyzed. Both stream ciphers are designed with small hardware complexity in mind. For Pomaranch Version 2, based on an improvement of previous analysis of the design idea, a key recovery attack is given. Also, for all three versions of Pomaranch, a distinguishing attack is given. For Achterbahn, it is shown how to recover the key of the latest version, known as Achterbahn-128/80. The last part of the thesis introduces two new stream cipher designs, namely Grain and Grain-128. The ciphers are designed to be very small in hardware. They also have the distinguishing feature of allowing users to increase the speed of the ciphers by adding extra hardware
The Quasigroup Block Cipher and its Analysis
This thesis discusses the Quasigroup Block Cipher (QGBC) and its analysis. We first present the basic form of the QGBC and then follow with improvements in memory consumption and security. As a means of analyzing the system, we utilize tools such as the NIST Statistical Test Suite, auto and crosscorrelation, then linear and algebraic cryptanalysis. Finally, as we review the results of these analyses, we propose improvements and suggest an algorithm suitable for low-cost FPGA implementation
- …