Solving discrete logarithms on a 170-bit MNT curve by pairing reduction

Pairing based cryptography is in a dangerous position following the breakthroughs on discrete logarithms computations in finite fields of small characteristic. Remaining instances are built over finite fields of large characteristic and their security relies on the fact that the embedding field of the underlying curve is relatively large. How large is debatable. The aim of our work is to sustain the claim that the combination of degree 3 embedding and too small finite fields obviously does not provide enough security. As a computational example, we solve the DLP on a 170-bit MNT curve, by exploiting the pairing embedding to a 508-bit, degree-3 extension of the base field.Comment: to appear in the Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS

The Discrete Logarithm Problem in Finite Fields of Small Characteristic

Computing discrete logarithms is a long-standing algorithmic problem, whose hardness forms the basis for numerous current public-key cryptosystems. In the case of finite fields of small characteristic, however, there has been tremendous progress recently, by which the complexity of the discrete logarithm problem (DLP) is considerably reduced. This habilitation thesis on the DLP in such fields deals with two principal aspects. On one hand, we develop and investigate novel efficient algorithms for computing discrete logarithms, where the complexity analysis relies on heuristic assumptions. In particular, we show that logarithms of factor base elements can be computed in polynomial time, and we discuss practical impacts of the new methods on the security of pairing-based cryptosystems. While a heuristic running time analysis of algorithms is common practice for concrete security estimations, this approach is insufficient from a mathematical perspective. Therefore, on the other hand, we focus on provable complexity results, for which we modify the algorithms so that any heuristics are avoided and a rigorous analysis becomes possible. We prove that for any prime field there exist infinitely many extension fields in which the DLP can be solved in quasi-polynomial time. Despite the two aspects looking rather independent from each other, it turns out, as illustrated in this thesis, that progress regarding practical algorithms and record computations can lead to advances on the theoretical running time analysis -- and the other way around.Die Berechnung von diskreten Logarithmen ist ein eingehend untersuchtes algorithmisches Problem, dessen Schwierigkeit zahlreiche Anwendungen in der heutigen Public-Key-Kryptographie besitzt. Für endliche Körper kleiner Charakteristik sind jedoch kürzlich erhebliche Fortschritte erzielt worden, welche die Komplexität des diskreten Logarithmusproblems (DLP) in diesem Szenario drastisch reduzieren. Diese Habilitationsschrift erörtert zwei grundsätzliche Aspekte beim DLP in Körpern kleiner Charakteristik. Es werden einerseits neuartige, erheblich effizientere Algorithmen zur Berechnung von diskreten Logarithmen entwickelt und untersucht, wobei die Laufzeitanalyse auf heuristischen Annahmen beruht. Unter anderem wird gezeigt, dass Logarithmen von Elementen der Faktorbasis in polynomieller Zeit berechnet werden können, und welche praktischen Auswirkungen die neuen Verfahren auf die Sicherheit paarungsbasierter Kryptosysteme haben. Während heuristische Laufzeitabschätzungen von Algorithmen für die konkrete Sicherheitsanalyse üblich sind, so erscheint diese Vorgehensweise aus mathematischer Sicht unzulänglich. Der Aspekt der beweisbaren Komplexität für DLP-Algorithmen konzentriert sich deshalb darauf, modifizierte Algorithmen zu entwickeln, die jegliche heuristische Annahme vermeiden und dessen Laufzeit rigoros gezeigt werden kann. Es wird bewiesen, dass für jeden Primkörper unendlich viele Erweiterungskörper existieren, für die das DLP in quasi-polynomieller Zeit gelöst werden kann. Obwohl die beiden Aspekte weitgehend unabhängig voneinander erscheinen mögen, so zeigt sich, wie in dieser Schrift illustriert wird, dass Fortschritte bei praktischen Algorithmen und Rekordberechnungen auch zu Fortentwicklungen bei theoretischen Laufzeitabschätzungen führen -- und umgekehrt

Improving NFS for the Discrete Logarithm Problem in Non-prime Finite Fields

International audienceThe aim of this work is to investigate the hardness of the discrete logarithm problem in fields GF$(p^n)$ where $n$ is a small integer greater than 1. Though less studied than the small characteristic case or the prime field case, the difficulty of this problem is at the heart of security evaluations for torus-based and pairing-based cryptography. The best known method for solving this problem is the Number Field Sieve (NFS). A key ingredient in this algorithm is the ability to find good polynomials that define the extension fields used in NFS. We design two new methods for this task, modifying the asymptotic complexity and paving the way for record-breaking computations. We exemplify these results with the computation of discrete logarithms over a field GF$(p^2)$ whose cardinality is 180 digits (595 bits) long

Computation of a 30750-Bit Binary Field Discrete Logarithm

This paper reports on the computation of a discrete logarithm in the finite field $\mathbb F_{2^{30750}}$, breaking by a large margin the previous record, which was set in January 2014 by a computation in $\mathbb F_{2^{9234}}$. The present computation made essential use of the elimination step of the quasi-polynomial algorithm due to Granger, Kleinjung and Zumbr\"agel, and is the first large-scale experiment to truly test and successfully demonstrate its potential when applied recursively, which is when it leads to the stated complexity. It required the equivalent of about 2900 core years on a single core of an Intel Xeon Ivy Bridge processor running at 2.6 GHz, which is comparable to the approximately 3100 core years expended for the discrete logarithm record for prime fields, set in a field of bit-length 795, and demonstrates just how much easier the problem is for this level of computational effort. In order to make the computation feasible we introduced several innovative techniques for the elimination of small degree irreducible elements, which meant that we avoided performing any costly Gr\"obner basis computations, in contrast to all previous records since early 2013. While such computations are crucial to the $L(\frac 1 4 + o(1))$ complexity algorithms, they were simply too slow for our purposes. Finally, this computation should serve as a serious deterrent to cryptographers who are still proposing to rely on the discrete logarithm security of such finite fields in applications, despite the existence of two quasi-polynomial algorithms and the prospect of even faster algorithms being developed.Comment: 22 page

Asymptotic complexities of discrete logarithm algorithms in pairing-relevant finite fields

International audienceWe study the discrete logarithm problem at the boundary case between small and medium characteristic finite fields, which is precisely the area where finite fields used in pairing-based cryptosystems live. In order to evaluate the security of pairing-based protocols, we thoroughly analyze the complexity of all the algorithms that coexist at this boundary case: the Quasi-Polynomial algorithms, the Number Field Sieve and its many variants, and the Function Field Sieve. We adapt the latter to the particular case where the extension degree is composite, and show how to lower the complexity by working in a shifted function field. All this study finally allows us to give precise values for the characteristic asymptotically achieving the highest security level for pairings. Surprisingly enough, there exist special characteristics that are as secure as general ones

Indiscreet discrete logarithms

In 2013 and 2014 a revolution took place in the understanding of the discrete logarithm problem (DLP) in finite fields of small characteristic. Consequently, many cryptosystems based on cryptographic pairings were rendered completely insecure, which serves as a valuable reminder that long-studied so-called hard problems may turn out to be far easier than initially believed. In this article, Robert Granger gives an overview of the surprisingly simple ideas behind some of the breakthroughs and the many computational records that have so far resulted from them

Discrete Logarithm in GF(2809) with FFS

International audienceThe year 2013 has seen several major complexity advances for the discrete logarithm problem in multiplicative groups of small- characteristic finite fields. These outmatch, asymptotically, the Function Field Sieve (FFS) approach, which was so far the most efficient algorithm known for this task. Yet, on the practical side, it is not clear whether the new algorithms are uniformly better than FFS. This article presents the state of the art with regard to the FFS algorithm, and reports data from a record-sized discrete logarithm computation in a prime-degree extension field