CIPHERUNICORN-A

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CIPHERUNICORN-A
General
Designers	NEC
First published	2000
Derived from	CIPHERUNICORN-E
Certification	CRYPTREC
Cipher detail
Key sizes	128, 192, or 256 bits
Block sizes	128 bits
Structure	nested Feistel network
Rounds	16

In cryptography, CIPHERUNICORN-A is a block cipher created by NEC in 2000. It is among the cryptographic techniques recommended for Japanese government use by CRYPTREC.

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, with key sizes 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.

[edit] References

• Matt Robshaw (December 14, 2001). "A Cryptographic Review of CIPHERUNICORN-A" (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-01-21.

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