Chapter 8 Flashcards
1
Q
Trust and Threats - Core Concepts
A
- Definition: Security involves managing trust and threats.
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Key Points:
- Trust: Assumptions about the behavior of entities within the system.
- Threats: Potential failure scenarios that must be addressed to ensure security.
- Balance: Security measures must balance trust, threat evaluation, and risk mitigation.
- Realization: Perfect security is unattainable; measures are about reducing risk.
- Example: Trusting a fiber link in a secure data center vs. securing WiFi messages on an open campus.
2
Q
Types of Threats - Confidentiality
A
- Definition: Ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to access it.
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Key Points:
- Encryption: A method to protect data from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
- Eavesdropping: Without confidentiality measures, adversaries can intercept and understand the contents of messages.
- Example: Encrypting email messages to prevent unauthorized users from reading sensitive information.
3
Q
Types of Threats - Integrity
A
- Definition: Ensuring that information has not been altered during transmission.
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Key Points:
- Tampering Detection: Mechanisms to detect if data has been altered.
- Tampering Impact: Even encrypted messages can be modified to change their meaning.
- Example: Using checksums or digital signatures to verify that a message has not been changed.
4
Q
Types of Threats - Authentication
A
- Definition: Verifying the identities of the entities involved in communication.
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Key Points:
- Identity Verification: Ensures that the communicating parties are who they claim to be.
- DNS Attacks: Redirecting users to false websites highlights the importance of authentication.
- Example: Using SSL/TLS certificates to authenticate websites and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
5
Q
Real-world Threats - Malware
A
- Definition: Malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems.
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Key Points:
- Worms and Viruses: Types of malware that can self-replicate and spread.
- Botnets: Networks of infected machines used to launch coordinated attacks.
- Example: A computer virus that replicates by inserting copies of itself into other programs or files.
6
Q
Real-world Threats - Access Control
A
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Access Control: Ensuring that only authorized users can access and modify resources.
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Key Points:
- Authorization: Verifying that a user has permission to perform an action.
- Prevention: Protecting systems from unauthorized changes.
- Example: Implementing user roles and permissions to control access to a company’s internal network.
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Key Points:
7
Q
Real-world Threats -Availability
A
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Availability: Ensuring that services are available and functional when needed.
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Key Points:
- DoS Attacks: Overloading a system with traffic to make it unavailable to legitimate users.
- Redundancy: Implementing backup systems to maintain availability.
- Example: Using load balancers to distribute traffic and prevent DoS attacks from affecting service availability.
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Key Points:
8
Q
Risk Mitigation - Cost-effective Security
A
- Definition: Implementing security measures that provide the best protection for their cost.
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Key Points:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying and prioritizing potential threats.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Balancing the cost of security measures against the potential impact of threats.
- Example: Encrypting sensitive data but not all data, based on the likelihood and impact of interception.
9
Q
Risk Mitigation - Explicit Trust Assumptions
A
- Definition: Clearly stating the trust assumptions made within a system.
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Key Points:
- Transparency: Making trust assumptions explicit helps in understanding and managing risks.
- Unexpected Adversaries: Helps in preparing for sophisticated and unexpected attacks.
- Example: Trusting the integrity of server execution and ensuring no leakage of unencrypted messages.
10
Q
Principles of Ciphers
A
- Definition: Encryption transforms a message to make it unintelligible to unauthorized parties.
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Key Points:
- Encryption Function: Applied to plaintext to create ciphertext.
- Decryption Function: Applied to ciphertext to recover the original plaintext.
- Cipher: Combination of encryption and decryption functions.
- Example: Encrypting a message before sending it over the network ensures that only the intended recipient can read it.
11
Q
Symmetric-Key Ciphers
A
- Definition: Both participants share the same key for encryption and decryption.
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Key Points:
- Secret-Key Ciphers: Another name for symmetric-key ciphers since the key must be kept secret.
- DES: Data Encryption Standard, a widely used symmetric-key cipher.
- 3DES: Triple DES, uses three DES keys for increased security.
- AES: Advanced Encryption Standard, supports key lengths of 128, 192, or 256 bits, and is efficient for both software and hardware.
- Example: AES is used for securing data on mobile devices due to its efficiency and small memory requirements.
12
Q
Public-Key Ciphers
A
- Definition: Uses a pair of related keys—one for encryption (public key) and one for decryption (private key).
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Key Points:
- RSA: Relies on the computational difficulty of factoring large numbers.
- ElGamal: Based on the discrete logarithm problem, often used with elliptic curve cryptography for added security.
- Public and Private Keys: The public key is distributed widely, while the private key is kept secret.
- Example: RSA is often used for secure key exchange and digital signatures.
13
Q
Modes of Operation
A
- Definition: Techniques to use block ciphers securely.
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Key Points:
- ECB (Electronic Codebook): Encrypts each block independently, but identical plaintext blocks produce identical ciphertext blocks.
- CBC (Cipher Block Chaining): Each plaintext block is XORed with the previous ciphertext block before encryption.
- Counter Mode: Uses a counter for each block, ensuring unique encryption for each block.
- Example: CBC mode ensures that even identical plaintext blocks produce different ciphertext blocks due to the chaining process.
14
Q
Cryptographic Hash Functions
A
- Definition: Produces a fixed-size hash value from input data.
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Key Points:
- MD5 and SHA-1: Common hash algorithms, though MD5 has known weaknesses.
- SHA-2: A family of hash functions designed to replace SHA-1.
- Collision Resistance: Difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.
- Example: SHA-256, part of the SHA-2 family, is widely used for data integrity checks.
- Security Note: The hash function must ensure that outputs are randomly distributed to prevent collisions.
15
Q
Message Authentication Codes (MACs)
A
- Definition: A value used to verify both the integrity and authenticity of a message.
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Key Points:
- HMAC: A MAC based on hash functions, commonly using SHA-1 or SHA-256.
- Construction: The MAC is computed using both the message and a secret key.
- Example: HMAC-SHA256 is used to ensure that a message has not been tampered with and is from a legitimate sender.
16
Q
Authenticators
A
- Definition: Values added to messages to verify their integrity and authenticity.
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Key Points:
- Encryption of Digest: One method is to encrypt the hash of the message.
- MACs and HMACs: Provide proof that the sender knows a secret key.
- Inseparability: Integrity and authentication are fundamentally linked.
- Example: Encrypting both the message and its MAC ensures confidentiality and authentication.
- Security Note: Prevents adversaries from undetectably tampering with messages.
17
Q
Principles of Ciphers - Encryption Function
A
- Definition: A process that transforms plaintext into ciphertext using an encryption algorithm and a key.
- Details: Ensures data confidentiality by making the content unintelligible to unauthorized parties.
- Example: AES encrypts a plaintext message using a secret key to produce ciphertext that appears as a random sequence of characters.
18
Q
Principles of Ciphers - Decryption Function
A
- Definition: A process that transforms ciphertext back into plaintext using a decryption algorithm and a key.
- Details: Reverses the encryption process to make the original message readable by authorized parties.
- Example: Using the same AES key to decrypt ciphertext back into its original plaintext form.
- Figure: Symmetric-key encryption and decryption (Figure 1).
19
Q
Symmetric-Key Ciphers - Secret-Key Ciphers
A
- Definition: Encryption and decryption use the same secret key, which must be kept confidential between communicating parties.
- Details: Symmetric-key algorithms are efficient and suitable for large-scale data encryption.
- Example: AES, where both the sender and the receiver use the same key for encryption and decryption.
- Security Note: Key management and distribution are critical challenges in symmetric-key cryptography.
20
Q
Principles of Ciphers - Cipher
A
- Definition: A combination of encryption and decryption functions used together to ensure secure communication.
- Details: Ciphers are the fundamental tools for implementing data security in various applications.
- Example: AES as a cipher is used to encrypt data at rest and in transit, ensuring both confidentiality and integrity.
- Figure: Symmetric-key encryption and decryption (Figure 1).
21
Q
Symmetric-Key Ciphers - DES (Data Encryption Standard)
A
- Definition: A symmetric-key encryption algorithm that encrypts data in 64-bit blocks using a 56-bit key.
- Details: Widely used since its adoption in 1977 but considered insecure against modern attacks.
- Example: DES encrypts data by processing each 64-bit block through a series of permutations and substitutions.
- Security Note: Vulnerable to brute-force attacks due to its relatively short key length.
22
Q
Symmetric-Key Ciphers - 3DES (Triple DES)
A
- Definition: Enhances DES security by applying the DES algorithm three times with three different keys.
- Details: Provides a higher level of security than single DES by effectively increasing the key length to 168 bits.
- Example: Data is encrypted with the first key, decrypted with the second key, and encrypted again with the third key.
- Security Note: More secure than DES but slower and gradually being replaced by AES.
22
Q
Symmetric-Key Ciphers - AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
A
- Definition: A symmetric-key encryption standard that encrypts data in 128-bit blocks using key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits.
- Details: Designed for both software and hardware efficiency, widely adopted for its strong security and performance.
- Example: AES encrypts data by processing each block through multiple rounds of substitution, permutation, and mixing.
- Security Note: Resistant to all known practical attacks and considered secure for the foreseeable future.
23
Q
Public-Key Ciphers - RSA
A
- Definition: A public-key encryption algorithm based on the computational difficulty of factoring large numbers.
- Details: Uses a pair of keys (public and private) for encryption and decryption; the public key is used to encrypt data, and the private key is used to decrypt it.
- Example: RSA can be used to encrypt a message for secure communication or to digitally sign a document for authentication.
- Security Note: The security of RSA depends on the key size; commonly used key sizes range from 2048 to 4096 bits.
24
Q
Public-Key Ciphers - ElGamal
A
- Definition: A public-key encryption algorithm based on the discrete logarithm problem.
- Details: Often used in conjunction with elliptic curve cryptography for added security and efficiency.
- Example: ElGamal encryption involves generating a random key for each message, ensuring semantic security.
- Security Note: The security of ElGamal depends on the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms.
25
Q
Public-Key Ciphers - Public and Private Keys
A
- Definition: In public-key cryptography, each user has a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.
- Details: The public key is shared openly, while the private key remains confidential.
- Example: A sender uses the recipient’s public key to encrypt a message, and the recipient uses their private key to decrypt it.
- Security Note: The private key must be protected against unauthorized access to ensure security.
26
Q
Modes of Operation - ECB (Electronic Codebook)
A
- Definition: A mode of operation where each block of plaintext is encrypted independently.
- Details: Simple but can reveal patterns in the plaintext if the same block is repeated.
- Example: Encrypting each 128-bit block of a message independently using AES in ECB mode.
- Security Note: Not recommended for encrypting data with repeating patterns, as it does not provide semantic security.
27
Q
Modes of Operation - CBC (Cipher Block Chaining)
A
- Definition: A mode of operation where each plaintext block is XORed with the previous ciphertext block before encryption.
- Details: Provides better security than ECB by ensuring that identical plaintext blocks produce different ciphertext blocks.
- Example: Encrypting data with AES in CBC mode, where an initialization vector (IV) is used for the first block.
- Security Note: The IV must be unique and unpredictable for each encryption session to maintain security.
28
Q
Modes of Operation - Counter Mode
A
- Definition: A mode of operation where a counter is used for each block, ensuring unique encryption for each block.
- Details: Converts a block cipher into a stream cipher, allowing for parallel processing of blocks.
- Example: Encrypting data with AES in counter mode, where each block is XORed with the encrypted counter value.
- Security Note: The counter value must never be reused with the same key to prevent security vulnerabilities.
29
Q
Cryptographic Hash Functions - MD5 and SHA-1
A
- Definition: Cryptographic hash functions that produce a fixed-size hash value from input data.
- Details: MD5 produces a 128-bit hash, while SHA-1 produces a 160-bit hash.
- Example: Generating a hash of a message to verify its integrity.
- Security Note: Both MD5 and SHA-1 have known vulnerabilities and are not recommended for secure applications.
30
Q
Cryptographic Hash Functions - SHA-2
A
- Definition: A family of cryptographic hash functions designed to replace SHA-1.
- Details: Includes SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512, with varying hash output sizes.
- Example: Using SHA-256 to generate a 256-bit hash of a message for secure data integrity checks.
- Security Note: SHA-2 is currently considered secure and widely used in security protocols.
31
Q
Cryptographic Hash Functions - Collision Resistance
A
- Definition: A property of a hash function where it is difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash value.
- Details: Essential for ensuring the integrity and uniqueness of hashed data.
- Example: Using a collision-resistant hash function to prevent two different files from having the same hash.
- Security Note: A secure hash function must have a low probability of collisions to maintain data integrity.
32
Q
Message Authentication Codes (MACs) - HMAC
A
- Definition: A type of MAC based on hash functions, typically using SHA-1 or SHA-256.
- Details: Combines a cryptographic hash function with a secret key to produce a MAC.
- Example: HMAC-SHA256 is used to verify the integrity and authenticity of a message.
- Security Note: HMAC provides strong security and is resistant to various cryptographic attacks.
33
Q
Message Authentication Codes (MACs) - Construction
A
- Definition: The MAC is computed using both the message and a secret key.
- Details: Ensures that any changes to the message will result in a different MAC value.
- Example: Calculating a MAC for a message before transmission to ensure it has not been tampered with.
- Security Note: The secret key must be kept confidential to prevent unauthorized message authentication.
34
Q
Authenticators - Encryption of Digest
A
- Definition: Adding an authenticator by encrypting the hash (digest) of the message.
- Details: Provides integrity and authentication by ensuring that the message has not been altered.
- Example: Encrypting the hash of a message with a secret key to create a secure authenticator.
- Security Note: The encrypted digest ensures that only authorized parties can verify the message’s integrity.
35
Q
Authenticators - MACs and HMACs
A
- Definition: Provide proof that the sender knows a secret key and that the message has not been altered.
- Details: MACs and HMACs are widely used for secure message authentication in various protocols.
- Example: Using HMAC-SHA256 to authenticate an API request, ensuring it is legitimate and unaltered.
- Security Note: The strength of the MAC depends on the
36
Q
Predistribution of Symmetric Keys
A
- Issue: Symmetric keys need to be kept secret, unlike public keys.
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Challenges:
- Number of Keys: N(N-1)/2 keys are needed for N entities.
- Secrecy: Keys must be kept secret.
- Solution: Use a Key Distribution Center (KDC).
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KDC Function:
- Shares a secret key with each entity.
- Reduces keys to N-1.
- Participates in authentication and session key generation for Alice and Bob.
- Outcome: Alice and Bob communicate directly using a session key.
Example: Kerberos system employs a KDC to manage symmetric keys for secure communication.
37
Q
Predistribution of Public Keys:
A
- Public and private key pairs are generated using publicly known algorithms.
- Alice can generate her own keys, but she needs to assert her public key’s ownership.
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is used to certify this ownership.
- PKI starts by verifying identities and binding them to keys out of band.
- This process can involve direct exchanges like in-person meetings or organizational configurations.
38
Q
Public Key Certificates:
A
- A certificate is a digitally signed statement asserting ownership of a public key.
- Certificates include: entity identity, public key, signer identity, digital signature, and optionally an expiration time.
- Certificates are created by Certification Authorities (CAs) like VeriSign.
- They formalize trust in public key ownership.
- X.509 is a standard for certificate structure, defining essential components such as identity and digital signature.
39
Q
Trust in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI):
A
- PKI formalizes trust in public keys using digital signatures.
- Bob, as a Certification Authority (CA), can issue certificates to assert key ownership.
- Trust in certificates can scale by trusting the initial CA’s public key.
- Certificates need a well-defined identity space, such as email addresses or DNS domains.
- PKI formalizes trust through careful verification and binding of identities to public keys.
40
Q
Certification Authorities (CAs):
A
- CAs are entities trusted to verify identities and issue public key certificates.
- They play a critical role in establishing digital trust through certificate chains.
- CAs can be commercial, governmental, or free.
- Users must know a CA’s public key to trust certificates it issues.
- Certificate chains link entities through certificates signed by trusted CAs.
41
Q
Chain of Trust:
A
- Trust is binary; either you trust an entity completely or not at all.
- Certificate chains allow trust to propagate from one entity to another.
- If X certifies Y’s key, and Y certifies Z’s key, a chain exists from X to Z.
- Participants only need to trust the root CA’s key to trust certificates signed by CAs in the chain.
- Chains are structured hierarchically in a tree-like model for scalability.
42
Q
Issues with Chains of Trust:
A
- Chain integrity depends on each CA properly verifying identities.
- One compromised CA in the chain undermines the trustworthiness of the entire chain.
- X.509 certificates can restrict which entities a certificate’s subject can certify.
- Multiple root CAs are common in web security (e.g., Firefox and Internet Explorer).
- Browsers come pre-configured with trusted CAs; users can add more in preferences.
43
Q
Web Transactions and CAs:
A
- Web browsers use SSL/TLS for securing transactions.
- SSL/TLS relies on trusted CAs to validate server identities.
- Users can view trusted CAs in browser certificate settings.
- SSL/TLS ensures secure communication between clients and servers.
- Understanding CAs is crucial for ensuring the security of web transactions.
44
Q
Web of Trust (PGP):
A
- PGP uses an alternative trust model without Certification Authorities (CAs).
- Users individually decide whom and how much to trust; trust is a matter of degree.
- Email addresses are identities bound to keys and signed by other users.
- Certificates in PGP can include confidence levels indicating the trust in key bindings.
- Users may require multiple certificates to trust a key binding.
45
Q
Building Trust in PGP:
A
- If Alice provides a certificate for Bob, a moderate level of trust is assigned.
- Certificates from others (C, D) who are moderately trusted can increase confidence in Bob’s key.
- Users can attend PGP key-signing parties to:
- Collect public keys from known individuals.
- Provide their public keys to others.
- Sign others’ public keys to help them build trust.
- Collect certificates from trusted individuals to strengthen their own set.
46
Q
Philosophy of PGP:
A
- PGP acknowledges that trust is a personal matter, not hierarchical.
- Users make independent decisions rather than relying on a single CA structure.
- Developed by Phil Zimmerman, PGP allows users to manage their own security.
- Quote: “PGP is for people who prefer to pack their own parachutes.”
- Popular in the networking community, especially in events like IETF meetings.
47
Q
PGP and Networking Events:
A
- PGP key-signing parties are common at networking events like IETF meetings.
- Individuals:
- Exchange and verify public keys in person.
- Sign each other’s public keys to establish trust.
- Collect certificates from others they trust.
- Over time, users build a collection of certificates with varying degrees of trust.
48
Q
Certificate Revocation:
A
- One issue with certificates is how to revoke them if compromised.
- If someone discovers your private key, they can impersonate you using valid certificates.
- To solve this, certificates can be revoked.
Each Certification Authority (CA) issues a Certificate Revocation List (CRL). - CRL is a digitally signed list of revoked certificates, periodically updated and publicly available.
- Alice checks the latest CRL before trusting a certificate.
- Certificates have expiration dates to limit the time they stay on CRLs.
- Once expired, a revoked certificate can be removed from the CRL.
