Small Message-Space Attack

Analysis of a Forced-Latency Defense Against Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Abstract:

Several cryptographic protocols have been proposed to address the Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack without the prior exchange of keys. In this paper, one such protocol proposed by Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn, the forced-latency defense against the chess grandmaster attack, is analyzed. Using the Cryptographic Protocol Shapes Analyzer (CPSA), the security properties of the protocol are validated through a novel use of CPSA’s state features to represent time. A small message-space attack is also uncovered that highlights an assumption that many protocols make, and a solution is proposed that would prevent such an attack against Wilcox-O’Hearn’s protocol.

Journal of Information Warfare

The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

Keywords

A

AI
APT

C

C2
C2S
CDX
CIA
CIP
CPS

D

DNS
DoD
DoS

I

IA
ICS

M

S

SOA

X

XRY

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The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

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