International Business Machines Corporation

Carl H Meyer

Stephen M Matyas

Walter L Tuchman

William F Ehrsam

Robert C Elander

John L Smith

Jonathan Oseas

Richard E Lennon

Bruno O Brachtl

Robert Lowell Powers

Paul N Prentice

Christopher J Holloway

Don Coppersmith

Louis B Tuckerman, Iii

Alan G Konheim

Robert E Shuck

Richard J Sahulka

Michael Schilling

Lloyd L Hollis

Myrna M Hyden

Shaiy Pilpel

A cryptographic method and apparatus are disclosed which transform a message or arbitrary length into a block of fixed length (128 bits) defined modification detection code (MDC). Although there are a large number of messages which result in the same MDC, because the MDC is a many-to-one function of the input, it is required that it is practically not feasible for an opponent to find them. In analyzing the methods, a distinction is made between two types of attacks, i.e., insiders (who have access to the system) and outsiders (who do not). The first method employs four encryption steps per DEA block and provides the higher degree of security. Coupling between the different DEA operations is provided by using the input keys also as data in two of the four encryption steps. In addition, there is cross coupling by interchanging half of the internal keys. Although this second coupling operation does not add to security in this scheme, it is mandatory in the second method, which employs only two encryption steps per DEA block to trade off security for performance. By providing key cross coupling in both schemes, an identical kernel is established for both methods. This has an implementation advantage since the first method can be achieved by applying the second method twice. The MDC, when loaded into a secure device, authorizes one and only one data set to be authenticated by the MDC, whereas methods based on message authentication codes or digital signatures involving a public key algorithm authorize a plurality of data sets to be authenticated. The MDC therefore provides for greater security control.

Data authentication using modification detection codes based on a public

A method for controlling the use of a cryptographic key at a using station by a generating station in a network of generating and using stations is disclosed. A control value specifying the use of the cryptographic key is transmitted with a generated cryptographic key to at least two designated using stations one of which may be the generating station. Each of the generating and using stations have cryptographic facilities that securely store a master key. Two techniques are described for controlling the use of the cryptographic key. In the first, the key and the control value are authenticated via a special authentication code before use by the using station. In the second, the key and control value are coupled during key generation such that the key is recovered only if a correct control value is specified. In addition, two techniques are described for controlling who may use the cryptographic key. In the first, each using station has a unique secret transport key shared with the generating station which generates the key in such a way that it can be recovered or regenerated only by the designated using station possessing the correct secret transport key. In the second, secret transport keys are shared by pairs of using stations and cryptographic separation is achieved by using public or nonsecret values unique to each using station.

Controlled use of cryptographic keys via generating station established

An electronic funds transfer system (EFT) is described in which retail terminals located in stores are connected through a public switched telecommunication system to card issuing agencies data processing centers. Users of the system are issued with intelligent secure bank cards, which include a microprocessor, ROS and RAM stores. The POS includes a personal key (KP) and an account number (PAN) stored on the card when the issuer issues it to the user. Users also have a personal identity number (PIN) which is stored or remembered separately. A transaction is initiated at a retail terminal when a card is inserted in an EFT module connected to the terminal. A request message including the PAN and a session key (KS) is transmitted to the issuers data processing center. The issuer generates an authentication parameter (TAP) based upon its stored version of KP and PIN and a time variant parameter received from the terminal. The TAP is then returned to the terminal in a response message, and based upon an imputed PIN, partial processing of the input PIN and KP on the card a derived TAP is compared with the received TAP in the terminal. A correct comparison indicating that the entered PIN is valid. The request message includes the PAN encoded under the KS and KS encoded under a cross-domain key. Message authentication codes (MAC) are attached to each message and the correct reception and regeneration of a MAC on a message including a term encoded under KS indicates that the received KS is valid and that the message originated at a valid terminal or card.

Transaction security system

An electronic funds transfer system (EFT) is described in which retail terminals located in stores are connected through a public switched telecommunication system to card issuing agencies data processing centers. Users of the system are issued with intelligent secure bank cards, which include a microprocessor, ROS and RAM stores. The ROS includes a personal key (KP) and an account number (PAN) stored on the card when the issuer issues it to the user. Users also have a personal identity numbe (PIN) which is stored or remembered separately. A transaction is initiated at a retail terminal when a card is inserted in an EPT module connected to the terminal. A request message including the PAN and a session key (KS) is transmitted to the issuers data processing center. The issuer generates an authentication parameter (TAP) based upon its stored version of KP and PIN and a time variant parameter received from the terminal. The TAP is then returned to the terminal in a response message, and based upon an inputed PIN, partial processing of the input PIN and KP on the card a derived TAP is compared with the received TAP in the terminal. A correct comparison indicating that the entered PIN is valid. The request message includes the PAN encoded under the KS and KS encoded under a cross-domain key. Message authentication codes (MAC) are attached to each message and the correct reception and regeneration of a MAC on a message including a term encoded under KS indicates that the received KS is valid and that the message originated at a valid terminal or card.

Transaction security system using time variant parameter

In a data communication network which includes terminals interconnected via a central switch, a process for verifying the identity of a terminal user who is provided with secret data associated with his identity. In carrying out the verification process, the secret data is first encrypted at the terminal under a transfer-in key for transmission to an associated data processing system. When it is determined that the terminal user maintains an account at the associated data processing system, a first translate operation is performed to translate the data from encryption under the transfer-in key to encryption under an authentication key, both of which keys are protected under other keys which are different from each other, thereby providing an authentication parameter which may be used to verify the identity of the terminal user. When it is determined that the terminal user does not maintain an account at the associated data processing system, a second translate operation is performed to translate the data from encryption under the transfer-in key to encryption under a transfer-out key for transmission to the next associated host system, the switch or a remote host system. At each such node, except the switch, a determination is made as to whether a verification process can be performed otherwise, the encrypted data is translated for transmission to the next or a remote node of the network for such verification.

Cryptographic application for interbank verification

A method and apparatus for verifying both the content of a transaction and the identity of the parties thereto. The system includes a plurality of terminals connected together over a common communication channel wherein a given pair of users located at different terminals on the system have exchanged a contract comprising a plurality of reference signatures each of which constitutes the final member of a one-way keyed signature sequence and each of which is a one-way function of each user's secret encryption key (K.sub.x) and a number (NUM) known to both parties. Each terminal connected to the system includes means for generating a multidigit ranking vector which is a cryptographic function of the entire message (DATA) tobe transmitted. Further means are provided for forming as many signature elements as there are digits in said ranking vector, the particular signature element being an intermediate member of a predetermined one-way keyed signature sequence specified by an associated digit of the ranking vector. Additional means are provided for initiating the generation of a separate keyed signature sequence to derive each signature element beginning with a starting element which requires that user's secret encryption key (K.sub.x) and the number (NUM) and continuing the generation of successive members of the one-way keyed signature sequence until the particular signature sequence element (KSS.sub..rho.) which was specified by the associated ranking vector digit (.rho.) is obtained. When the appropriate sequence of one-way keyed signature sequence elements has been generated as specified by the ranking vector, this sequence of signature elements is appended onto the original message (DATA) and transmitted to a receiver. Means are provided in each terminal which are activated upon receipt of an appropriately signed message for another terminal for deriving a ranking vector from the received message which again is the same function of the message (DATA) received and a cryptographic function known to both parties. Circuitry is provided, upon the determination of the ranking vector for generating successor one-way keyed signature sequence reference elements from each received signature element based solely upon the knowledge of said element as received and the ranking vector. This process is continued until all reference elements have been derived from the received signature at which point the reference elements so derived are compared with the reference elements previously exchanged between the parties and designated for use for this particular transaction. If the elements match, the identity of the user is unequivocally verified and the contents of the message are guaranteed.

Method and apparatus incorporating a one-way sequence for transaction

A data security device which includes storage means for storing a master cipher key, cryptographic apparatus for performing cryptographic operations and control means for controlling the writing of a master cipher key into the storage means, controlling the transfer of the master cipher key to the cryptographic apparatus and controlling the cryptographic apparatus to perform cryptographic operations. When a new master cipher key is written into the storage means, the old master cipher key is automatically overwritten with an arbitrary value, after which the new master key may be written into the storage means. The cryptographic apparatus of the data security device includes storage means, a cipher key register and cipher means for performing a cipher function on data stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means under control of a working cipher key stored in the cipher key register with the resulting ciphered data being stored in the cryptographic apparatus storage means. A load cipher key direct function can be performed whereby a working cipher key may be loaded directly into the cipher key register for use as a working cipher key in performing a cipher function. A decipher key function can be performed whereby the master cipher key is transferred to the cipher key register as a working cipher key after which an operational key enciphered under the master cipher key is transferred to the cryptographic apparatus storage means and the control means causes the enciphered operational key to be deciphered to obtain the operational key in clear form as a working cipher key for subsequent encipher/decipher data functions.

Cryptographic communication and file security using terminals

A communication security system for data transmissions between remote terminals and a host system. The remote terminals and the host system include data security devices capable of performing a variety of cryptographic operations. At initialization time, a host master key is written into the host data security device and the host system generates a series of terminal master keys for the remote terminals. Protection is provided for the terminal master keys by enciphering them under a variant of the host master key. The terminal master keys are then written into the data security devices of the respective remote terminals to permit cryptographic operations to be performed. When a communication session is to be established between a designated remote terminal and the host system, a random number is generated and defined as an operational key enciphered under the host master key which permits the operational key to be used at the host system for enciphering or deciphering data operations. The host data security device, using the enciphered master key of the designated remote terminal, transforms the enciphered operational key under control of the host master key into a form in which the operational key is enciphered under the terminal master key of the designated remote terminal. The operational key enciphered under the terminal master key of the designated remote terminal is transmitted to the remote terminal to permit the enciphered operational key to be used at the remote terminal for enciphering or deciphering data operations.

Cryptographic communication security for single domain networks

A file security system for data files associated with a host data processing system. The host system includes a data security device which contains a secure host master key and is capable of performing a variety of cryptographic operations. At initialization time, the host system generates a series of file keys for the associated storage media and protects them by enciphering the file keys under a variant of the host master key. When a data file is to be created, a random number is generated and defined as an operational key enciphered under the file key of a designated storage media. The host data security device, using the enciphered file key of the designated storage media, transforms the enciphered operational key under control of the host master key into a form which permits the operational key to be used for enciphering host data. The operational key enciphered under the file key of the designated storage media, as header information, together with the host data enciphered under the operational key is written on the storage media as an enciphered data file. When the data file is recovered, the host data security device, using the enciphered file key of the designated storage media, transforms the enciphered operational key header information under control of the host master key into a form which permits the operational key to be used for deciphering the enciphered data file to obtain the file data in clear form.

Cryptographic file security for single domain networks

A method and apparatus for providing improved error-recovery and cryptographic strength when enciphering blocks which succeed short blocks in a Key-Controlled Block-Cipher Cryptographic System with chaining. Beginning with a pre-existing current chaining value (V), the system determines whether a current input block (X) of data to be encrypted is a full block or a short block. Both in the previous system and in proposed improvement, if the block is a full block, the system first combines the chaining value (V) with said full block (X) by a reversible operation such as exclusive-or and then block-enciphers the result of said exclusive-or under control of the user's cryptographic key (K) to produce an output cipher full block (Y); but if the block is a short block, of length L.sub.s then the system first block-enciphers the current chaining value (V) under control of the user's key (K), producing a result W, and then combines the short block (X), in a reversible operation, with the left-most portion, of length L.sub.s, of W to produce an output cipher short block (Y), of length L.sub.s. In either case, in the proposed improvement, the system then sets a new chaining value (V') for the system, as being equal to the terminal full block's length of the concatenation of the current chaining value (V) with the produced block of ciphertext (Y), and causes this new chaining value (V') to be the chaining value (V) for the next block. In the case of a short block this gives increased strength to, and speeded error-recovery for, the succeeding block or blocks to be enciphered, over the previous practice, in which the new chaining value was the last-previous output (W) of the block-cipher system.

Method and apparatus for enciphering blocks which succeed short blocks

A communication security system for data transmissions between different domains of a multiple domain communication network where each domain includes a host system and its associated resources of programs and communication terminals. The host systems and communication terminals include data security devices each having a master key which permits a variety of cryptographic operations to be performed. When a host system in one domain wishes to communicate with a host system in another domain, a common session key is established at both host systems to permit cryptographic operations to be performed. This is accomplished by using a mutually agreed upon cross-domain key known by both host systems and does not require each host system to reveal its master key to the other host system. The cross domain key is enciphered under a key encrypting key designated as the sending cross domain key at the sending host system and under a different key encrypting key designated as the receiving cross domain key at the receiving host system. The sending host system creates an enciphered session key and together with the sending cross-domain key performs a transformation function to reencipher the session key under the sending cross domain key for transmission to the receiving host system. At the receiving host system, the receiving host system using the receiving cross-domain key and the received session key, performs a transformation function to reencipher the received session key fron encipherment under the sending cross domain key to encipherment under the receiving host system master key. With the common session key now available in usable form at both host systems, a communication session is established and cryptographic operations can proceed between the two host systems.

Cryptographic communication security for multiple domain networks

Secure hardware is provided for cryptographically generating a verification pattern which is a function of a potential computer user's identity number, the potential computer user's separately entered password, and a stored test pattern. The test pattern for each authorized computer user is generated at a time when the physical security of the central computer and its data can be assured, such as in a physically guarded environment with no teleprocessing facilities operating. Secure hardware for generating verification patterns during authentication processing and for generating test patterns during the secure run is disclosed which uses a variation of the host computer master key to reduce risk of compromise of total system security. The use of a variant of the host master key prevents system programmers and/or computer operators from compromising the integrity of the authentication data base by, for example, interchanging entries and/or inserting new entries.

Method for authenticating the identity of a user of an information system

A digital signature machine provides a simplified method of forming and verifying a signature that is appended to a digital message. A sender transmits a signature with the usual signature keys and with validation table entries that correspond to the unsent keys and with the compressed encoding of the next validation table. The receiver uses the compressed encoding of the next validation table to form validation table entries from the signature keys so that the receiver has a full validation table. This validation table is compressed and compared with the compressed encoding which was received from the sender in a preceding message.

Digital signature system and apparatus

A file security system for data files created at a first host system in one domain and recovered at a second host system in another domain of a multiple domain network. Each of said host systems contain a data security device provided with multiple host keys capable of performing a variety of cryptographic operations. Creation and recovery of a secure data file is accomplished without revealing the keys of either of the host systems to the other of the host systems. When the data file is to be created at the first host system, the first host system data security device provides a file recovery key for subsequent recovery of the data file at the second host system and enciphers first host system plaintext under a primary file key, which is related to the file recovery key, to obtain first host system ciphertext as the data file. The file recovery key is used as header information for the data file or maintained as a private file recovery key. When the data file is to be recovered at the second host system, the file recovery key is provided at the second host system and the second host system data security device performs a cryptographic operation to transform the file recovery key into a form which is usable to decipher the data file. The second host system data security device then uses the transformed file recovery key to perform a cryptographic operation to obtain the first host system ciphertext in clear form at the second host system.

Cryptographic file security for multiple domain networks

In a data communication network providing communication security for communication sessions between a first station and a second station where each station has cryptographic apparatus provided with an operational key which should be common to both stations for cryptographic operations, an operational key verification arrangement is provided in which a first number provided at the first station is operated upon in accordance with the first station operational key to obtain cryptographic data for transmission to the second station, requiring the second station to perform an operation on the first station cryptographic data in accordance with the second station operational key to obtain cryptographic data for transmission back to the first station and performing an operation at the first station in accordance with the first number and the second station cryptographic data to verify that the second station is the source of second station cryptographic data only if the operational keys are identical.

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Kingston, NY, United States of America

Carl H Meyer