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Diffie Hellman Algorithm Riley

The document discusses the Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm which allows two parties to establish a shared secret over an unsecured channel. It was discovered by Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman and is based on the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms. The document provides an overview of the algorithm, describes how it works, and gives an example of how Alice and Bob can use it to securely communicate.

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Shiva Prasad
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150 views16 pages

Diffie Hellman Algorithm Riley

The document discusses the Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm which allows two parties to establish a shared secret over an unsecured channel. It was discovered by Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman and is based on the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms. The document provides an overview of the algorithm, describes how it works, and gives an example of how Alice and Bob can use it to securely communicate.

Uploaded by

Shiva Prasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Diffie-Hellman Algorithm

Riley Lochridge
April 11, 2003
Overview

Introduction

Implementation

Example

Applications

Conclusion
Introduction

Discovered by Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman


New Directions in Cryptography

Diffie-Hellman key agreement protocol


Exponential key agreement
Allows two users to exchange a secret key
Requires no prior secrets
Real-time over an untrusted network
Introduction

Security of transmission is critical for many network


and Internet applications
Requires users to share information in a way that
others cant decipher the flow of information

It is insufficient to protect ourselves with laws; we


need to protect ourselves with mathematics.
-Bruce Schneier
Introduction

Based on the difficulty of computing discrete


logarithms of large numbers.

No known successful attack strategies*

Requires two large numbers, one prime (P), and


(G), a primitive root of P
Implementation

P and G are both publicly available numbers


P is at least 512 bits
Users pick private values a and b
Compute public values
x = ga mod p
y = gb mod p
Public values x and y are exchanged
Implementation

Copyright, 2001 by NetIP, Inc. and Keith Palmgren, CISSP.


Implementation

Compute shared, private key


ka = ya mod p
kb = xb mod p

Algebraically it can be shown that ka = kb


Users now have a symmetric secret key to
encrypt
Implementation

Copyright, 2001 by NetIP, Inc. and Keith Palmgren, CISSP.


Example

Two Internet users, Alice and Bob wish to


have a secure conversation.
They decide to use the Diffie-Hellman protocol
Example

Bob and Alice are unable to talk on the


untrusted network.
Who knows whos listening?
Example

Alice and Bob get public numbers


P = 23, G = 9

Alice and Bob compute public values


X = 94 mod 23 = 6561 mod 23 = 6
Y = 93 mod 23 = 729 mod 23 = 16

Alice and Bob exchange public numbers


Example

Alice and Bob compute symmetric keys


ka = ya mod p = 164 mod 23 = 9
kb = xb mod p = 63 mod 23 = 9
Alice and Bob now can talk securely!
Applications

Diffie-Hellman is currently used in many


protocols, namely:
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer
Security (TLS)
Secure Shell (SSH)
Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
Conclusion

Authenticated Diffie-Hellman Key Agreement


(1992)
Defeats middleperson attack
Diffie-Hellman POP Algorithm
Enhances IPSec layer
Diffie-Hellman continues to play large role in
secure protocol creation
Additional Sources

[Link]
/encryption/[Link]

[Link]
/crypto/overview/[Link]

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