CAPEC-97

Cryptanalysis
Low
Draft
2014-06-23
00h00 +00:00
2022-09-29
00h00 +00:00
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Descriptions CAPEC

Cryptanalysis is a process of finding weaknesses in cryptographic algorithms and using these weaknesses to decipher the ciphertext without knowing the secret key (instance deduction). Sometimes the weakness is not in the cryptographic algorithm itself, but rather in how it is applied that makes cryptanalysis successful. An attacker may have other goals as well, such as: Total Break (finding the secret key), Global Deduction (finding a functionally equivalent algorithm for encryption and decryption that does not require knowledge of the secret key), Information Deduction (gaining some information about plaintexts or ciphertexts that was not previously known) and Distinguishing Algorithm (the attacker has the ability to distinguish the output of the encryption (ciphertext) from a random permutation of bits).

Informations CAPEC

Execution Flow

1) Explore

An attacker discovers a weakness in the cryptographic algorithm or a weakness in how it was applied to a particular chunk of plaintext.

2) Exploit

An attacker leverages the discovered weakness to decrypt, partially decrypt or infer some information about the contents of the encrypted message. All of that is done without knowing the secret key.

Prerequisites

The target software utilizes some sort of cryptographic algorithm.
An underlying weaknesses exists either in the cryptographic algorithm used or in the way that it was applied to a particular chunk of plaintext.
The encryption algorithm is known to the attacker.
An attacker has access to the ciphertext.

Skills Required

Cryptanalysis generally requires a very significant level of understanding of mathematics and computation.

Resources Required

Computing resource requirements will vary based on the complexity of a given cryptanalysis technique. Access to the encryption/decryption routines of the algorithm is also required.

Mitigations

Use proven cryptographic algorithms with recommended key sizes.

Ensure that the algorithms are used properly. That means:

  • 1. Not rolling out your own crypto; Use proven algorithms and implementations.
  • 2. Choosing initialization vectors with sufficiently random numbers
  • 3. Generating key material using good sources of randomness and avoiding known weak keys
  • 4. Using proven protocols and their implementations.
  • 5. Picking the most appropriate cryptographic algorithm for your usage context and data

Related Weaknesses

CWE-ID Weakness Name

CWE-327

 Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
The product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol.

CWE-1204

 Generation of Weak Initialization Vector (IV)
The product uses a cryptographic primitive that uses an Initialization Vector (IV), but the product does not generate IVs that are sufficiently unpredictable or unique according to the expected cryptographic requirements for that primitive.

CWE-1240

 Use of a Cryptographic Primitive with a Risky Implementation
To fulfill the need for a cryptographic primitive, the product implements a cryptographic algorithm using a non-standard, unproven, or disallowed/non-compliant cryptographic implementation.

CWE-1241

 Use of Predictable Algorithm in Random Number Generator
The device uses an algorithm that is predictable and generates a pseudo-random number.

CWE-1279

 Cryptographic Operations are run Before Supporting Units are Ready
Performing cryptographic operations without ensuring that the supporting inputs are ready to supply valid data may compromise the cryptographic result.

References

REF-556

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptanalysis

Submission

Name Organization Date Date release
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2014-06-23 +00:00

Modifications

Name Organization Date Comment
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2015-11-09 +00:00 Updated Related_Attack_Patterns
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2018-07-31 +00:00 Updated Attack_Motivation-Consequences, Description, Description Summary, Examples-Instances, Related_Weaknesses
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2020-07-30 +00:00 Updated Related_Weaknesses
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2020-12-17 +00:00 Updated Taxonomy_Mappings
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2021-06-24 +00:00 Updated Related_Weaknesses
CAPEC Content Team The MITRE Corporation 2022-09-29 +00:00 Updated Mitigations