International Association for Cryptologic Research

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2013-02-21
20:47 [Event][New]

From March 27 to March 27
Location: Brussels, Belgium
More Information: http://qualsec.ulb.ac.be/sha3

20:46 [Event][New]

Submission: 2 April 2013
Notification: 28 May 2013
From July 9 to July 11
Location: Graz, Austria
More Information: http://rfidsec2013.iaik.tugraz.at/

13:17 [Pub][ePrint]

In this paper, we describe a new algorithm for discrete logarithms in

small characteristic. It works especially well when the characteristic

is fixed. Indeed, in this case, we obtain a total complexity of $L(1/4+o(1)).$

2013-02-20
19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

We initiate the study of quantum-secure digital signatures and quantum chosen ciphertext security. In the case of signatures, we enhance the standard chosen message query model by allowing the adversary to issue quantum chosen message queries: given a superposition of messages, the adversary receives a superposition of signatures on those messages. Similarly, for encryption, we allow the adversary to issue quantum chosen ciphertext queries: given a superposition of ciphertexts, the adversary receives a superposition of their decryptions. These adversaries model a natural post-quantum environment where end-users sign messages and decrypt ciphertexts on a personal quantum computer.

We construct classical systems that remain secure when exposed to such quantum queries. For signatures we construct two compilers that convert classically secure signatures into signatures secure in the quantum setting and apply these compilers to existing post-quantum signatures. We also show that standard constructions such as Lamport one-time signatures and Merkle signatures remain secure under quantum chosen message attacks, thus giving signatures whose quantum security is based on generic assumptions. For encryption, we define security under quantum chosen ciphertext attacks and present both public-key and symmetric-key constructions.

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

We present a deterministic algorithm to find nonlinear S-box approximations, and a new nonlinear cryptanalytic technique; the \"filtered\" nonlinear attack, which achieves the lowest data complexity of any known-plaintext attack on reduced-round Serpent so far. We demonstrate that the Wrong-Key Randomization Hypothesis is not entirely valid for attacks on reduced-round Serpent which rely on linear cryptanalysis or a variant thereof, and survey the effects of this on existing attacks (including existing nonlinear attacks) on 11 and 12-round Serpent.

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

We provide a construction for functional encryption over the set of recursive languages.

In this scheme, a secret key $\\sk_{\\mathcal{M}}$ encodes a halting double-stack deterministic pushdown

automaton (2DPDA) $\\mathcal{M}$ that accepts by final state. Encryption algorithm takes a message $m$

and a string $w$ as input and outputs a ciphertext $\\cipher$. A user possessing $\\sk_{\\mathcal{M}}$ can

decrypt $\\cipher$ only if $\\mathcal{M}$ accepts $w$. Halting 2DPDAs can simulate halting deterministic

Turing machines and hence our construction essentially covers all

recursive languages.

The construction is built upon Waters\' bilinear pairing-based functional encryption scheme

over regular languages. The main technical novelty is in handling stack contents and

$\\lambda$-transitions (i.e., transitions that do not advance the input pointer)

of the automata. This is reflected both in the construction and the security arguments.

The scheme is shown to be selectively secure based on the decision $\\ell$-expanded bilinear

Diffie-Hellman exponent assumption introduced by Waters.

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

Generic side-channel distinguishers aim at revealing the correct key embedded in cryptographic modules even when few assumptions can be made about their physical leakages. In this context, Kolmogorov-Smirnov Analysis (KSA) and Partial Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis (PKS) were proposed respectively. Although both KSA and PKS are based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test, they really differ a lot from each other in terms of construction strategies. Inspired by this, we construct nine new variants by combining their strategies in a systematic way. Furthermore, we explore the effectiveness and efficiency of all these twelve KS test based distinguishers under various simulated scenarios in a univariate setting within a unified comparison framework, and also investigate how these distinguishers behave in practical scenarios. For these purposes, we perform a series of attacks against both simulated traces and real traces. Evaluation metrics such as Success Rate (SR) and Guessing Entropy (GE) are used to measure the efficiency of key recovery attacks in our evaluation. Our experimental results not only show how to choose the most suitable KS test based distinguisher in a particular scenario, but also clarify the practical meaning of all these KS test based distinguishers in practice.

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

We show how to construct, from any weak pseudorandom function, a 3-round symmetric-key authentication protocol that is secure against man-in-the-middle attacks. The construction is very efficient, requiring both the secret key and communication size to be only 3n bits long. Our techniques also extend to certain classes of randomized weak-PRFs, chiefly among which are those based on the classical LPN problem and its more efficient variants such as Toeplitz-LPN and Ring-LPN. Building a man-in-the-middle secure authentication scheme from any weak-PRF resolves a problem left open by Dodis et al. (Eurocrypt 2012), while building a man-in-the-middle secure scheme based on any variant of the LPN problem solves the main open question in a long line of research aimed at constructing a practical light-weight authentication scheme based on learning problems, which began with the work of Hopper and Blum (Asiacrypt 2001).

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

Aggregate signature can combinensignatures on nmessages fromnusers into a single short signature, and the resulting signature can convince the verifier that thenusers indeed signed

the ncorresponding messages. This feature makes aggregate signature very useful especially in environments with low bandwidth communication, low storage and low computability since it

greatly reduces the total signature length and verification cost. Recently, Xiong et al. presented an efficient certificateless aggregate signature scheme. They proved that their scheme is secure in a strengthened security model, where the \"malicious-but-passive\" KGC attack was considered. In this paper, we show that Xiong et al.\'s certificateless aggregate signature scheme is not secure

even in a weaker security model called \"honest-but-curious\" KGC attack model.

19:17 [Pub][ePrint]

We propose a new notion of secure multiparty computation aided by a computationally-powerful but untrusted \"cloud\" server. In this notion that we call

on-the-fly multiparty computation (MPC), the cloud can non-interactively perform arbitrary, dynamically chosen computations on data belonging to arbitrary sets of users chosen on-the-fly. All user\'s input data and intermediate results are protected from snooping by the cloud as well as other users.

This extends the standard notion of fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), where users can only enlist the cloud\'s help in evaluating functions on their own encrypted data.

In on-the-fly MPC, each user is involved only when initially uploading his (encrypted) data to the cloud, and in a final output decryption phase when outputs are revealed; the complexity of both is independent of the function being computed and the total number of users in the system. When users upload their data, they need not decide in advance which function will be computed, nor who they will compute with; they need only retroactively approve the eventually-chosen functions and on whose data the functions were evaluated.

This notion is qualitatively the best possible in minimizing interaction, since the users\' interaction in the decryption stage is inevitable: we show that removing it would imply generic program obfuscation and is thus impossible.

Our contributions are two-fold:

1. We show how on-the-fly MPC can be achieved using a new type of encryption scheme that we call multikey FHE, which is capable of operating on inputs encrypted under multiple, unrelated keys. A ciphertext resulting from a multikey evaluation can be jointly decrypted using the secret keys of all the users involved in the computation.

2. We construct a multikey FHE scheme based on NTRU, a very efficient public-key encryption scheme proposed in the 1990s. It was previously not known how to make NTRU fully homomorphic even for a single party. We view the construction of (multikey) FHE from NTRU encryption as a main contribution of independent interest. Although the transformation to a fully homomorphic system deteriorates the efficiency of NTRU somewhat, we believe that this system is a leading candidate for a practical FHE scheme.

18:44 [Job][New]

We invite expressions of interest for the position of Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Security and Privacy for the New Digital Economy, to be held at the tenured full or associate professor level in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo.

The CERC program awards world-class researchers up to \$10 million over seven years to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. Further details are offered at www.cerc.gc.ca. An overall package worth more than twice this amount will fund the CERC, additional faculty and staff, and their required infrastructure.

The applicant will be an outstanding researcher, well-recognized as exceptional within the subfield of security and privacy. It will also be essential for the candidate to demonstrate remarkable promise in leadership and in the mobilization of talents to deliver successful outcomes. In particular, we are looking for an individual who is expert in security solutions for networked and mobile environments with a critical appreciation for linking privacy to the required solutions. To promote the adoption of novel technological solutions, the CERC must also have an aptitude in working well with public policy experts.

To apply, send a cover letter and a curriculum vitae by e-mail at deanmath (at) uwaterloo.ca or by regular mail.

Applications received by May 30, 2013 will receive full consideration. Selection of the candidate is subject to final oversight by the government\\\'s CERC Selection Committee.

The University of Waterloo encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, members of visible minorities, native people and persons with disabilities. We are proud to offer organizations for Women in Computer Science (cs.uwaterloo.ca/~wics) and Women in Mathematics (women.math.uwaterloo.ca) as well as an AccessAbility Services Office for persons with disabiliti