Security Analysis of Pairing-based Cryptography

Recent progress in number field sieve (NFS) has shaken the security of Pairing-based Cryptography. For the discrete logarithm problem (DLP) in finite field, we present the first systematic review of the NFS algorithms from three perspectives: the degree $\alpha$, constant $c$, and hidden constant $o(1)$ in the asymptotic complexity $L_Q\left(\alpha,c\right)$ and indicate that further research is required to optimize the hidden constant. Using the special extended tower NFS algorithm, we conduct a thorough security evaluation for all the existing standardized PF curves as well as several commonly utilized curves, which reveals that the BN256 curves recommended by the SM9 and the previous ISO/IEC standard exhibit only 99.92 bits of security, significantly lower than the intended 128-bit level. In addition, we comprehensively analyze the security and efficiency of BN, BLS, and KSS curves for different security levels. Our analysis suggests that the BN curve exhibits superior efficiency for security strength below approximately 105 bit. For a 128-bit security level, BLS12 and BLS24 curves are the optimal choices, while the BLS24 curve offers the best efficiency for security levels of 160bit, 192bit, and 256bit.Comment: 8 figures, 8 tables, 5121 word

A usability study of elliptic curves

In the recent years, the need of information security has rapidly increased due to an enormous growth of data transmission. In this thesis, we study the uses of elliptic curves in the cryptography. We discuss the elliptic curves over finite fields, attempts to attack; discrete logarithm, Pollard’s rho algorithm, baby-step giant-step algorithm, Pohlig-Hellman algorithm, function field sieve, and number field sieve. The main cryptographic reason to use elliptic curves over finite fields is to provide arbitrarily large finite cyclic groups having a computationally difficult discrete logarithm problem

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

On Small Degree Extension Fields in Cryptology

This thesis studies the implications of using public key cryptographic primitives that are based in, or map to, the multiplicative group of finite fields with small extension degree. A central observation is that the multiplicative group of extension fields essentially decomposes as a product of algebraic tori, whose properties allow for improved communication efficiency. Part I of this thesis is concerned with the constructive implications of this idea. Firstly, algorithms are developed for the efficient implementation of torus-based cryptosystems and their performance compared with previous work. It is then shown how to apply these methods to operations required in low characteristic pairing-based cryptography. Finally, practical schemes for high-dimensional tori are discussed. Highly optimised implementations and benchmark timings are provided for each of these systems. Part II addresses the security of the schemes presented in Part I, i.e., the hardness of the discrete logarithm problem. Firstly, an heuristic analysis of the effectiveness of the Function Field Sieve in small characteristic is given. Next presented is an implementation of this algorithm for characteristic three fields used in pairing-based cryptography. Finally, a new index calculus algorithm for solving the discrete logarithm problem on algebraic tori is described and analysed

General purpose integer factoring

This chapter describes the developments since 1970 in general purpose integer factoring and highlights the contributions of Peter L. Montgomery. This article appeared as Chapter 5 of the book Topics in Computational Number Theory inspired by Peter L. Montgomery , edited by Joppe W. Bos and Arjen K. Lenstra and published by Cambridge University Press. See www.cambridge.org/9781107109353

Pairings in Cryptology: efficiency, security and applications

Abstract The study of pairings can be considered in so many di�erent ways that it may not be useless to state in a few words the plan which has been adopted, and the chief objects at which it has aimed. This is not an attempt to write the whole history of the pairings in cryptology, or to detail every discovery, but rather a general presentation motivated by the two main requirements in cryptology; e�ciency and security. Starting from the basic underlying mathematics, pairing maps are con- structed and a major security issue related to the question of the minimal embedding �eld [12]1 is resolved. This is followed by an exposition on how to compute e�ciently the �nal exponentiation occurring in the calculation of a pairing [124]2 and a thorough survey on the security of the discrete log- arithm problem from both theoretical and implementational perspectives. These two crucial cryptologic requirements being ful�lled an identity based encryption scheme taking advantage of pairings [24]3 is introduced. Then, perceiving the need to hash identities to points on a pairing-friendly elliptic curve in the more general context of identity based cryptography, a new technique to efficiently solve this practical issue is exhibited. Unveiling pairings in cryptology involves a good understanding of both mathematical and cryptologic principles. Therefore, although �rst pre- sented from an abstract mathematical viewpoint, pairings are then studied from a more practical perspective, slowly drifting away toward cryptologic applications

On the computation of discrete logarithms in finite prime fields

In this thesis we write about practical experience when solving congruences of the form a^x = b mod p, a,b,p,x Element Z, p prime. This is referred to as the discrete logarithm problem in (Z/pZ)*. Many cryptographic protocols such as signature schemes, message encryption, key exchange and identification depend on the difficulty of this problem. We are concerned with the practicability of different index calculus variants, which are the asymtotically fastest known algorithms at present to solve this problem. We present computations for p having up to 85 decimal digits. We include a partial solution to McCurley\u27s challenge with a 129-digit p, which has a special form.In dieser Arbeit berichten wir über praktische Erfahrungen mit der Lösung von Kongruenzen der Form a^x = b mod p, a,b,p,x Element Z, p Primzahl. Dies ist das Problem der Diskreten Logarithmen in (Z/pZ)*. Zahlreiche kryptographische Protokolle wie digitale Unterschriften, Verschlüsselung von Nachrichten, Schlüsselaustausch und Identifikation basieren auf der Schwierigkeit dieses Problems. In dieser Arbeit befassen wir uns mit der Praktikabilität verschiedener Index-Calculus Verfahren, die zur Zeit die asymptotisch schnellsten Algorithmen liefern, um dieses Problem zu lösen. Wir präsentieren Berechnungen mit bis zu 85-stelligem p und legen eine partielle Lösung zu McCurley\u27s Challenge vor, die ein 129-stelliges p von spezieller Form benutzt

On the Alpha Value of Polynomials in the Tower Number Field Sieve Algorithm

International audienceIn this paper, we provide a notable step towards filling the gap between theory (estimates of running-time) and practice (a discrete logarithm record computation) for the Tower Number Field Sieve (TNFS) algorithm. We propose a generalisation of ranking formula for selecting the polynomials used in the very first step of TNFS algorithm. For this we provide a definition and an exact implementation (Magma and SageMath) of the alpha function. This function measures the bias in the smoothness probability of norms in number fields compared to random integers of the same size. We use it to estimate the yield of polynomials, that is the expected number of relations, as a generalisation of Murphy's E function, and finally the total amount of operations needed to compute a discrete logarithm with TNFS algorithm in the targeted fields. This is an improvement of the earlier work of Barbulescu and Duquesne on estimating the running-time of the algorithm. We apply our estimates to a wide size range of finite fields GF(pn), for small composite n = 12, 16, 18, 24, that are target fields of pairing-friendly curves