- CIPHERUNICORN-A
Infobox block cipher
name = CIPHERUNICORN-A
designers =NEC
publish date = 2000
derived from =CIPHERUNICORN-E
derived to =
related to =
certification =CRYPTREC
key size = 128, 192, or 256 bits
block size = 128 bits
structure = nested Feistel network
rounds = 16
cryptanalysis = Incryptography , CIPHERUNICORN-A is ablock cipher created byNEC in 2000. It is among the cryptographic techniques recommended for Japanese government use byCRYPTREC .The algorithm uses a 16-round Feistel network structure similar to its predecessor,
CIPHERUNICORN-E , but with significant changes. The block size is 128 bits, withkey size s of 128, 192, or 256 bits. The round function is even more complicated than that of CIPHERUNICORN-E, but the extra mixing function between rounds has been removed. The round function is still split into two nearly parallel computations; both of these are Feistel networks themselves. The first part (the "main stream") is a 10-round Feistel network, using 4 8×8-bit S-boxes much like the ones from CIPHERUNICORN-E. The last two rounds of the main stream are influenced by the output of the second part (the "temporary key generation function"). This second, 6-round Feistel network uses modular multiplication, as well as 2 of the S-boxes. In contrast to CIPHERUNICORN-E, subkeys are added in only at the beginning of each main round.The
key schedule of CIPHERUNICORN-A makes repeated use of a function called "MT", using modular multiplication and all of the S-boxes. A flaw was discovered in the key schedule, such that certain keys are equivalent, but it is unknown just how much of a weakness this is.The great complexity of CIPHERUNICORN-A's round function has made it difficult to analyze. Some limited analysis has been done on simplified variants, showing that they are likely resistant to both differential and
linear cryptanalysis .References
* cite paper
author =Matt Robshaw
title = A Cryptographic Review of CIPHERUNICORN-A
date =December 14 2001
url = http://www.ipa.go.jp/security/enc/CRYPTREC/fy15/doc/1033_uni-a.pdf
format =PDF
accessdate = 2007-01-21
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