des_modes(7) OpenSSL des_modes(7)NAME
Modes of DES - the variants of DES and other crypto
algorithms of OpenSSL
DESCRIPTION
Several crypto algorithms for OpenSSL can be used in a
number of modes. Those are used for using block ciphers
in a way similar to stream ciphers, among other things.
OVERVIEW
Electronic Codebook Mode (ECB)
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_ecb_encrypt().
o 64 bits are enciphered at a time.
o The order of the blocks can be rearranged without
detection.
o The same plaintext block always produces the same
ciphertext block (for the same key) making it vulnerable
to a 'dictionary attack'.
o An error will only affect one ciphertext block.
Cipher Block Chaining Mode (CBC)
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_cbc_encrypt(). Be aware that des_cbc_encrypt()
is not really DES CBC (it does not update the IV); use
des_ncbc_encrypt() instead.
o a multiple of 64 bits are enciphered at a time.
o The CBC mode produces the same ciphertext whenever the
same plaintext is encrypted using the same key and
starting variable.
o The chaining operation makes the ciphertext blocks
dependent on the current and all preceding plaintext
blocks and therefore blocks can not be rearranged.
o The use of different starting variables prevents the
same plaintext enciphering to the same ciphertext.
o An error will affect the current and the following
ciphertext blocks.
Cipher Feedback Mode (CFB)
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_cfb_encrypt().
o a number of bits (j) <= 64 are enciphered at a time.
o The CFB mode produces the same ciphertext whenever the
same plaintext is encrypted using the same key and
starting variable.
o The chaining operation makes the ciphertext variables
dependent on the current and all preceding variables and
therefore j-bit variables are chained together and can
not be rearranged.
o The use of different starting variables prevents the
same plaintext enciphering to the same ciphertext.
o The strength of the CFB mode depends on the size of k
(maximal if j == k). In my implementation this is
always the case.
o Selection of a small value for j will require more
cycles through the encipherment algorithm per unit of
plaintext and thus cause greater processing overheads.
o Only multiples of j bits can be enciphered.
o An error will affect the current and the following
ciphertext variables.
Output Feedback Mode (OFB)
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_ofb_encrypt().
o a number of bits (j) <= 64 are enciphered at a time.
o The OFB mode produces the same ciphertext whenever the
same plaintext enciphered using the same key and
starting variable. More over, in the OFB mode the same
key stream is produced when the same key and start
variable are used. Consequently, for security reasons a
specific start variable should be used only once for a
given key.
o The absence of chaining makes the OFB more vulnerable to
specific attacks.
o The use of different start variables values prevents the
same plaintext enciphering to the same ciphertext, by
producing different key streams.
o Selection of a small value for j will require more
cycles through the encipherment algorithm per unit of
plaintext and thus cause greater processing overheads.
o Only multiples of j bits can be enciphered.
o OFB mode of operation does not extend ciphertext errors
in the resultant plaintext output. Every bit error in
the ciphertext causes only one bit to be in error in the
deciphered plaintext.
o OFB mode is not self-synchronizing. If the two
operation of encipherment and decipherment get out of
synchronism, the system needs to be re-initialized.
o Each re-initialization should use a value of the start
variable different from the start variable values used
before with the same key. The reason for this is that
an identical bit stream would be produced each time from
the same parameters. This would be susceptible to a
'known plaintext' attack.
Triple ECB Mode
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_ecb3_encrypt().
o Encrypt with key1, decrypt with key2 and encrypt with
key3 again.
o As for ECB encryption but increases the key length to
168 bits. There are theoretic attacks that can be used
that make the effective key length 112 bits, but this
attack also requires 2^56 blocks of memory, not very
likely, even for the NSA.
o If both keys are the same it is equivalent to encrypting
once with just one key.
o If the first and last key are the same, the key length
is 112 bits. There are attacks that could reduce the
effective key strength to only slightly more than 56
bits, but these require a lot of memory.
o If all 3 keys are the same, this is effectively the same
as normal ecb mode.
Triple CBC Mode
Normally, this is found as the function
algorithm_ede3_cbc_encrypt().
o Encrypt with key1, decrypt with key2 and then encrypt
with key3.
o As for CBC encryption but increases the key length to
168 bits with the same restrictions as for triple ecb
mode.
NOTES
This text was been written in large parts by Eric Young in
his original documentation for SSLeay, the predecessor of
OpenSSL. In turn, he attributed it to:
AS 2805.5.2
Australian Standard
Electronic funds transfer - Requirements for interfaces,
Part 5.2: Modes of operation for an n-bit block cipher algorithm
Appendix A
SEE ALSOblowfish(3), des(3), idea(3), rc2(3)5/Mar/2002 0.9.6j des_modes(7)
