TBD F. Driscoll
Internet-Draft UK National Cyber Security Centre
Intended status: Informational 20 October 2022
Expires: 23 April 2023
Terminology for Post-Quantum Traditional Hybrid Schemes
draft-driscoll-pqt-hybrid-terminology-01
Abstract
One aspect of the transition to post-quantum algorithms in
cryptographic protocols is the development of hybrid schemes that
incorporate both post-quantum and traditional asymmetric algorithms.
This document defines terminology for such schemes. It is intended
to ensure consistency and clarity across different protocols,
standards, and organisations.
About This Document
This note is to be removed before publishing as an RFC.
Status information for this document may be found at
https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-driscoll-pqt-hybrid-
terminology/.
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Copyright (c) 2022 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Primitives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Cryptographic Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Protocols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6. Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
7. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
8. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
9. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1. Introduction
The mathematical problems of integer factorisation and discrete
logarithms over finite fields or elliptic curves underpin most of the
asymmetric algorithms used for key establishment and digital
signatures on the internet. These problems, and hence the algorithms
based on them, will be vulnerable to attacks using Shor's Algorithm
on a sufficiently large general-purpose quantum computer, known as a
Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC). It is difficult
to predict when, or if, such a device will exist. However, it is
necessary to defend against this possibility. Data encrypted today
with an algorithm vulnerable to a quantum computer could be stored
for decryption by a future attacker with a CRQC. Signing algorithms
that are expected to be in use for many years are also at risk if a
CRQC is developed during the operational lifetime of the algorithm.
Preparing for the potential development of a CRQC requires modifying
standardised protocols to use asymmetric algorithms that are believed
to be secure against quantum computers as well as today's classical
computers. These algorithms are called post-quantum, while
algorithms based on integer factorisation, finite-field discrete
logarithms or elliptic-curve discrete logarithms are called
traditional algorithms.
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During the transition from traditional to post-quantum algorithms
there may be a desire or a requirement for protocols that use both
types of algorithm. Most post-quantum algorithms are less well
studied than traditional asymmetric algorithms, so a designer may
choose to combine a post-quantum algorithm with a traditional
algorithm to add protection against an attacker with a CRQC to the
security properties provided by the traditional algorithm. A
designer may also choose to implement a post-quantum algorithm
alongside a traditional algorithm for ease of migration from an
ecosystem where only traditional algorithms are implemented and used,
to one which uses post-quantum algorithms. Work on solutions that
could use both types of algorithm includes
[I-D.ietf-ipsecme-ikev2-multiple-ke], [I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design],
[I-D.ounsworth-pq-composite-sigs],
[I-D.becker-guthrie-noncomposite-hybrid-auth]. Schemes that combine
post-quantum and traditional algorithms for key establishment or
digital signatures are often called hybrids. For example, NIST
define hybrid key establishment to be a "scheme that is a combination
of two or more components that are themselves cryptographic key-
establishment schemes"[NIST_PQC_FAQ] and ETSI define hybrid key
exchanges to be "constructions that combine a traditional key
exchange...with a post-quantum key exchange...into a single key
exchange"[ETSI_TS103774]. The word hybrid is also used in
cryptography to describe encryption schemes that combine asymmetric
and symmetric algorithms [RFC9180], so using it in the post-quantum
context overloads it and risks misunderstandings. However, this
terminology is well-established amongst the post-quantum cryptography
community so an attempt to move away from its use could lead to
multiple definitions for the same concept, resulting in confusion and
lack of clarity.
This document provides language for constructions that combine
traditional and post-quantum algorithms. Specific solutions for
enabling use of multiple asymmetric algorithms in cryptographic
schemes may in fact be more general than this, allowing the use of
solely traditional, or solely post-quantum algorithms. However,
where relevant, we focus on combinations of post-quantum and
traditional algorithms as these are the motivation for the wider work
in the IETF. It is intended as a terminology guide for other
documents to add clarity and consistency across different protocols,
standards, and organisations. Additionally, it aims to reduce
misunderstanding about use of the word "hybrid" as well as defining a
shared language for different types of post-quantum/traditional
hybrid constructions.
In this document, a "cryptographic algorithm" is defined, as in
[NIST_SP_800-152], to be a "well-defined computational procedure that
takes variable inputs, often including a cryptographic key, and
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produces an output". Examples include RSA, ECDH, CRYSTALS-Kyber and
CRYSTALS-Dilithium. The expression "cryptographic scheme" is used to
mean a construction that uses an algorithm or a group of algorithms
to achieve a particular cryptographic outcome, e.g. key agreement. A
cryptographic scheme may be made up of a number of functions. For
example, a Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM) is a cryptographic
scheme consisting of three functions: Key Generation, Encapsulation
and Decapsulation. A cryptographic protocol incorporates one or more
cryptographic schemes. For example, TLS is a cryptographic protocol
which includes schemes for key agreement, record layer encryption,
and server authentication.
2. Primitives
This section introduces terminology related to cryptographic
algorithms, as well as to hybrid constructions for cryptographic
schemes.
*Traditional Algorithm*: An asymmetric cryptographic algorithm based
on integer factorisation, finite field discrete logarithms or
elliptic curve discrete logarithms.
*Post-Quantum Algorithm*: An asymmetric cryptographic algorithm that
is believed to be secure against quantum computers as well as
classical computers.
*Component Algorithm*: Each cryptographic algorithm that forms part
of a cryptographic scheme.
*Single-Algorithm Scheme*: A cryptographic scheme with one component
algorithm.
A single-algorithm scheme could use either a traditional algorithm
or a post-quantum algorithm.
*Multi-Algorithm Scheme*: A cryptographic scheme with more than one
component algorithm.
In a multi-algorithm scheme all component algorithms are of the
same type, e.g. all are signature algorithms or all are PKE
algorithms.
*Post-Quantum/Traditional (PQ/T) Hybrid Scheme*: A cryptographic
scheme made up of two or more component algorithms where at least
one is a post-quantum algorithm and at least one is a traditional
algorithm.
*PQ/T Hybrid Key Encapsulation Mechanism*: A Key Encapsulation
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Mechanism (KEM) made up of two or more component KEM algorithms
where at least one is a post-quantum algorithm and at least one is
a traditional algorithm.
*PQ/T Hybrid Public Key Encryption*: A Public Key Encryption (PKE)
scheme made up of two or more component PKE algorithms where at
least one is a post-quantum algorithm and at least one is a
traditional algorithm.
*PQ/T Hybrid Digital Signature*: A digital signature scheme made up
of two or more component digital signature algorithms where at
least one is a post-quantum algorithm and at least one is a
traditional algorithm.
PQ/T hybrid KEMs, PQ/T hybrid PKE, and PQ/T hybrid digital
signatures are all examples of PQ/T hybrid schemes.
*PQ/T Hybrid Combiner*: A method that takes two or more component
algorithms and combines them to form a PQ/T hybrid scheme.
*PQ/PQ Hybrid Scheme*: A cryptographic scheme made up of two or more
component algorithms where all components are post-quantum
algorithms.
The definitions for types of PQ/T hybrid schemes can adapted to
define types of PQ/PQ hybrid schemes in the natural way.
3. Cryptographic Elements
This section introduces terminology related to cryptographic elements
and their inclusion in hybrid schemes.
*Cryptographic Element*: Any data type (private or public) that
contains an input or output value for a cryptographic algorithm or
for a function making up a cryptographic algorithm.
Types of cryptographic elements include public keys, private keys,
plaintexts, ciphertexts, shared secrets, and signature values.
*Component Cryptographic Element*: A cryptographic element of a
component algorithm in a multi-algorithm scheme.
*Composite Cryptographic Element*: A cryptographic element that
incorporates multiple component cryptographic elements of the same
type in a multi-algorithm scheme.
For example, a composite cryptographic public key is made up of
two component public keys.
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*Cryptographic Element Combiner*: A method that takes two or more
component cryptographic elements of the same type and combines
them to form a composite cryptographic element.
A cryptographic element combiner could be concatenation, such as
where two component public keys are concatenated to form a
composite public key as in [I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design], or
something more involved such as the dualPRF defined in [BINDEL].
4. Protocols
This section introduces terminology related to the use of post-
quantum and traditional algorithms together in protocols.
*PQ/T Hybrid Protocol*: A protocol that uses two or more component
algorithms providing the same cryptographic functionality, where
at least one is a post-quantum algorithm and at least one is a
traditional algorithm.
For example, a PQ/T hybrid protocol providing confidentiality
could use a PQ/T hybrid KEM such as in
[I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design], or it could combine the output of a
post-quantum KEM and a traditional KEM at the protocol level, such
as in [I-D.ietf-ipsecme-ikev2-multiple-ke]. Similarly, a PQ/T
hybrid protocol providing authentication could use a PQ/T hybrid
digital signature scheme, or it could include both post-quantum
and traditional single-algorithm digital signature schemes.
*Composite PQ/T Hybrid Protocol*: A protocol that incorporates one
or more PQ/T hybrid schemes in such a way that the protocol fields
and message flow are the same as those in a version of the
protocol that uses single-algorithm schemes.
In a composite PQ/T hybrid protocol, changes are primarily made to
the formats of the cryptographic elements, while the protocol
fields and message flow remain largely unchanged. In
implementations most changes are likely to be made to the
cryptographic libraries, with minimal changes to the protocol
libraries.
*Non-composite PQ/T Hybrid Protocol*: A protocol that incorporates
multiple single-algorithm schemes of the same type, where at least
one uses a post-quantum algorithm and at least one uses a
traditional algorithm, in such a way that the formats of the
component cryptographic elements are the same as when they are
used as part of single-algorithm schemes.
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In a non-composite PQ/T hybrid protocol, changes are primarily
made to the protocol fields, the message flow, or both, while
changes to cryptographic elements are minimised. In
implementations, most changes are likely to be made to the
protocol libraries, with minimal changes to the cryptographic
libraries.
NOTE: A PQ/T hybrid protocol could be neither entirely composite nor
entirely non-composite. For example, in a protocol that offers both
confidentiality and authentication, the key establishment could be
done in a composite manner while the authentication is done in a non-
composite manner.
5. Functionality
This section describes properties that may be desired from or
achieved by a PQ/T hybrid scheme or PQ/T hybrid protocol.
*PQ/T Hybrid Confidentiality*: The property that confidentiality is
achieved by a PQ/T hybrid scheme or PQ/T hybrid protocol as long
as at least one component encryption algorithm remains secure.
*PQ/T Hybrid Authentication*: The property that authentication is
achieved by a PQ/T hybrid scheme or a PQ/T hybrid protocol as long
as at least one component authentication algorithm remains secure.
EDNOTE 1: It may be useful to distinguish between source
authentication (i.e. authentication of the sender of a particular
message) and identity authentication (i.e. authentication of the
identity of the sender).
The security properties of a PQ/T hybrid scheme or protocol depend on
the security of its component algorithms, the choice of PQ/T hybrid
combiner and the capability of an attacker. Changes to the security
of a component algorithm can impact the security properties of a PQ/T
hybrid scheme providing hybrid confidentiality or hybrid
authentication. For example, if a post-quantum component algorithm
is broken, the PQ/T hybrid scheme is likely to continue to achieve
confidentiality against a classical attacker, but will be vulnerable
to a quantum attacker.
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Note that PQ/T hybrid protocols that offer both confidentiality and
authentication do not necessarily offer both PQ/T hybrid
confidentiality and PQ/T hybrid authentication. For example,
[I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design] provides PQ/T hybrid confidentiality but
does not address authentication. Therefore, if the design in
[I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design] is used with X.509 certificates as
defined in [RFC5280] only authentication with a single algorithm is
achieved.
*PQ/T Hybrid Interoperability*: The property that a PQ/T hybrid
scheme or PQ/T hybrid protocol can be completed successfully
provided that both parties support at least one component
algorithm.
For example, a PQ/T hybrid digital signature might achieve hybrid
interoperability if the signature can be verified by either
verifying the traditional or the post-quantum component, such as
in the OR modes described in [I-D.ounsworth-pq-composite-sigs].
In the case of a PQ/T hybrid protocol which aims to achieve both
authentication and confidentiality then at least one component
algorithm for each type of scheme must be supported by both
parties.
It is not possible for a PQ/T hybrid scheme to achieve both PQ/T
hybrid interoperability and PQ/T hybrid confidentiality. For PQ/T
hybrid interoperability the scheme needs to work with any one of
the component algorithms, while to achieve PQ/T hybrid
confidentiality all component algorithms need to be used.
However, it is possible for a PQ/T hybrid protocol to achieve PQ/T
hybrid interoperability and PQ/T hybrid confidentiality by
building in downgrade protection at the protocol level. For
example in [I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design] the client uses the TLS
supported groups extension to advertise support for a PQ/T hybrid
scheme and the server can select this group if it supports the
scheme. This is protected using TLS's existing downgrade
protection, so achieves PQ/T hybrid confidentiality, but the
connection can still be made if either the client or server does
not support the scheme, so PQ/T hybrid interoperability is
achieved.
The same is true for PQ/T hybrid interoperability and PQ/T hybrid
authentication. It is not possible to achieve both with a PQ/T
hybrid scheme, but it is possible with a PQ/T hybrid protocol that
has appropriate downgrade protection.
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EDNOTE 2: Other properties may be desired from a PQ/T Hybrid scheme
e.g. backwards compatibility, crypt agility. Should these be defined
here?
6. Certificates
This section introduces terminology related to the use of
certificates in hybrid schemes.
*PQ/T Hybrid Certificate*: A digital certificate that contains
public keys for two or more component algorithms where at least
one is a traditional algorithm, and at least one is a post-quantum
algorithm.
A PQ/T hybrid certificate could be used to facilitate a PQ/T
hybrid authentication protocol. However, a PQ/T hybrid
authentication protocol does not need to use a PQ/T hybrid
certificate; separate certificates could be used for individual
component algorithms.
The component public keys in a PQ/T hybrid certificate could be
included as a composite public key or as individual component
public keys.
The use of a PQ/T hybrid certificate does not necessarily achieve
hybrid authentication of the identity of the sender; this is
determined by properties of the chain of trust. For example, an
end-entity certificate that contains a composite public key as
defined in [I-D.ounsworth-pq-composite-keys] but which is signed
using a single-algorithm digital signature scheme could be used to
provide hybrid authentication of the source of a message, but
would not achieve hybrid authentication of the identity of the
sender.
TODO 1: Terminology for certificate chains and PKI.
TODO 2: Terminology for algorithm specification.
7. Security Considerations
This document defines security-relevant terminology to be used in
documents specifying PQ/T hybrid protocols and schemes. However, the
document itself does not have a security impact on internet
protocols. The security considerations for each PQ/T hybrid protocol
are specific to that protocol and should be discussed in the relevant
documents.
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8. IANA Considerations
This document has no IANA actions.
9. Informative References
[BINDEL] Bindel, N., Brendel, J., Fischlin, M., Goncalves, B., and
D. Stebila, "Hybrid Key Encapsulation Mechanisms and
Authenticated Key Exchange", Post-Quantum Cryptography
pp.206-226, DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-25510-7_12, July 2019,
<https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25510-7_12>.
[ETSI_TS103774]
ETSI TS 103 744 V1.1.1, "CYBER; Quantum-safe Hybrid Key
Exchanges", December 2020, <https://www.etsi.org/deliver/
etsi_ts/103700_103799/103744/01.01.01_60/
ts_103744v010101p.pdf>.
[I-D.becker-guthrie-noncomposite-hybrid-auth]
Becker, A., Guthrie, R., and M. J. Jenkins, "Non-Composite
Hybrid Authentication in PKIX and Applications to Internet
Protocols", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-
becker-guthrie-noncomposite-hybrid-auth-00, 22 March 2022,
<https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-becker-guthrie-
noncomposite-hybrid-auth-00.txt>.
[I-D.ietf-ipsecme-ikev2-multiple-ke]
Tjhai, C., Tomlinson, M., Bartlett, G., Fluhrer, S., Van
Geest, D., Garcia-Morchon, O., and V. Smyslov, "Multiple
Key Exchanges in IKEv2", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft,
draft-ietf-ipsecme-ikev2-multiple-ke-07, 6 October 2022,
<https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-ietf-ipsecme-ikev2-
multiple-ke-07.txt>.
[I-D.ietf-tls-hybrid-design]
Stebila, D., Fluhrer, S., and S. Gueron, "Hybrid key
exchange in TLS 1.3", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft,
draft-ietf-tls-hybrid-design-05, 28 August 2022,
<https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-ietf-tls-hybrid-
design-05.txt>.
[I-D.ounsworth-pq-composite-keys]
Ounsworth, M., Pala, M., and J. Klaußner, "Composite
Public and Private Keys For Use In Internet PKI", Work in
Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-ounsworth-pq-composite-
keys-02, 8 June 2022, <https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/
draft-ounsworth-pq-composite-keys-02.txt>.
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[I-D.ounsworth-pq-composite-sigs]
Ounsworth, M. and M. Pala, "Composite Signatures For Use
In Internet PKI", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-
ounsworth-pq-composite-sigs-07, 8 June 2022,
<https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-ounsworth-pq-
composite-sigs-07.txt>.
[NIST_PQC_FAQ]
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
"Post-Quantum Cryptography FAQs", 5 July 2022,
<https://csrc.nist.gov/Projects/post-quantum-cryptography/
faqs>.
[NIST_SP_800-152]
Barker, E. B., Smid, M., Branstad, D., and National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "NIST SP
800-152 A Profile for U. S. Federal Cryptographic Key
Management Systems", October 2015,
<https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-152>.
[RFC5280] Cooper, D., Santesson, S., Farrell, S., Boeyen, S.,
Housley, R., and W. Polk, "Internet X.509 Public Key
Infrastructure Certificate and Certificate Revocation List
(CRL) Profile", RFC 5280, DOI 10.17487/RFC5280, May 2008,
<https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc5280>.
[RFC9180] Barnes, R., Bhargavan, K., Lipp, B., and C. Wood, "Hybrid
Public Key Encryption", RFC 9180, DOI 10.17487/RFC9180,
February 2022, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9180>.
Acknowledgments
TODO acknowledge
Author's Address
Florence Driscoll
UK National Cyber Security Centre
Email: florence.d@ncsc.gov.uk
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