Advanced Encryption Standard: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 09:32, 6 July 2025

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The Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program (CAVP)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cavp/index.html |title=NIST.gov – Computer Security Division – Computer Security Resource Center |publisher=Csrc.nist.gov |access-date=2012-12-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102044410/http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cavp/index.html |archive-date=2013-01-02}}</ref> allows for independent validation of the correct implementation of the AES algorithm. Successful validation results in being listed on the NIST validations page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140val-all.htm |title=Validated FIPS 140-1 and FIPS 140-2 Cryptographic Modules |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226152243/http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140val-all.htm |archive-date=2014-12-26 |access-date=2014-06-26}}</ref> This testing is a pre-requisite for the FIPS 140-2 module validation. However, successful CAVP validation in no way implies that the cryptographic module implementing the algorithm is secure. A cryptographic module lacking FIPS 140-2 validation or specific approval by the NSA is not deemed secure by the US Government and cannot be used to protect government data.<ref name="cnss.gov"/>

FIPS 140-2 validation is challenging to achieve both technically and fiscally.<ref name="openssl">{{cite web |author=OpenSSL, [e-mail] |url=http://openssl.org/docs/fips/fipsnotes.html |title=OpenSSL's Notes about FIPS certification |publisher=Openssl.org |access-date=2012-12-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102203126/http://www.openssl.org/docs/fips/fipsnotes.html |archive-date=2013-01-02}}</ref> There is a standardized battery of tests as well as an element of source code review that must be passed over a period of a few weeks. The cost to perform these tests through an approved laboratory can be significant (e.g., well over $30,000 US{{currency|30000|USD}})<ref name="openssl" /> and does not include the time it takes to write, test, document and prepare a module for validation. After validation, modules must be re-submitted and re-evaluated if they are changed in any way. This can vary from simple paperwork updates if the security functionality did not change to a more substantial set of re-testing if the security functionality was impacted by the change.

== Test vectors ==