ipsec
The NULL Encryption Algorithm and Its Use With IPsec
Network Working Group R. Glenn
Request for Comments: 2410 NIST
Category: Standards Track S. Kent
BBN Corp
November 1998
The NULL Encryption Algorithm and Its Use With IPsec
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This memo defines the NULL encryption algorithm and its use with the
IPsec Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP). NULL does nothing to
alter plaintext data. In fact, NULL, by itself, does nothing. NULL
provides the means for ESP to provide authentication and integrity
without confidentiality.
Further information on the other components necessary for ESP
implementations is provided by [ESP] and [ROAD].
1. Introduction
This memo defines the NULL encryption algorithm and its use with the
IPsec Encapsulating Security Payload [ESP] to provide authentication
and integrity without confidentiality.
NULL is a block cipher the origins of which appear to be lost in
antiquity. Despite rumors that the National Security Agency
suppressed publication of this algorithm, there is no evidence of
such action on their part. Rather, recent archaeological evidence
suggests that the NULL algorithm was developed in Roman times, as an
exportable alternative to Ceaser ciphers. However, because Roman
numerals lack a symbol for zero, written records of the algorithm's
development were lost to historians for over two millennia.
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 1]
RFC 2410 NULL and IPsec November 1998
[ESP] specifies the use of an optional encryption algorithm to
provide confidentiality and the use of an optional authentication
algorithm to provide authentication and integrity. The NULL
encryption algorithm is a convenient way to represent the option of
not applying encryption. This is referred to as ESP_NULL in [DOI].
The IPsec Authentication Header [AH] specification provides a similar
service, by computing authentication data which covers the data
portion of a packet as well as the immutable in transit portions of
the IP header. ESP_NULL does not include the IP header in
calculating the authentication data. This can be useful in providing
IPsec services through non-IP network devices. The discussion on how
ESP_NULL might be used with non-IP network devices is outside the
scope of this document.
In this memo, NULL is used within the context of ESP. For further
information on how the various pieces of ESP fit together to provide
security services, refer to [ESP] and [ROAD].
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119].
2. Algorithm Definition
NULL is defined mathematically by the use of the Identity function I
applied to a block of data b such that:
NULL(b) = I(b) = b
2.1 Keying Material
Like other modern ciphers, e.g., RC5 [RFC-2040], the NULL encryption
algorithm can make use of keys of varying lengths. However, no
measurable increase in security is afforded by the use of longer key
lengths.
2.2 Cryptographic Synchronization
Because of the stateless nature of the NULL encryption algorithm, it
is not necessary to transmit an IV or similar cryptographic
synchronization data on a per packet (or even a per SA) basis. The
NULL encryption algorithm combines many of the best features of both
block and stream ciphers, while still not requiring the transmission
of an IV or analogous cryptographic synchronization data.
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 2]
RFC 2410 NULL and IPsec November 1998
2.3 Padding
NULL has a block size of 1 byte, thus padding is not necessary.
2.4. Performance
The NULL encryption algorithm is significantly faster than other
commonly used symmetric encryption algorithms and implementations of
the base algorithm are available for all commonly used hardware and
OS platforms.
2.5 Test Vectors
The following is a set of test vectors to facilitate in the
development of interoperable NULL implementations.
test_case = 1
data = 0x123456789abcdef
data_len = 8
NULL_data = 0x123456789abcdef
test_case = 2
data = "Network Security People Have A Strange Sense Of Humor"
data_len = 53
NULL_data = "Network Security People Have A Strange Sense Of Humor"
3. ESP_NULL Operational Requirements
ESP_NULL is defined by using NULL within the context of ESP. This
section further defines ESP_NULL by pointing out particular
operational parameter requirements.
For purposes of IKE [IKE] key extraction, the key size for this
algorithm MUST be zero (0) bits, to facilitate interoperability and
to avoid any potential export control problems.
To facilitate interoperability, the IV size for this algorithm MUST
be zero (0) bits.
Padding MAY be included on outgoing packets as specified in [ESP].
4. Security Considerations
The NULL encryption algorithm offers no confidentiality nor does it
offer any other security service. It is simply a convenient way to
represent the optional use of applying encryption within ESP. ESP
can then be used to provide authentication and integrity without
confidentiality. Unlike AH these services are not applied to any
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 3]
RFC 2410 NULL and IPsec November 1998
part of the IP header. At the time of this writing there is no
evidence to support that ESP_NULL is any less secure than AH when
using the same authentication algorithm (i.e. a packet secured using
ESP_NULL with some authentication algorithm is as cryptographically
secure as a packet secured using AH with the same authentication
algorithm).
As stated in [ESP], while the use of encryption algorithms and
authentication algorithms are optional in ESP, it is imperative that
an ESP SA specifies the use of at least one cryptographically strong
encryption algorithm or one cryptographically strong authentication
algorithm or one of each.
At the time of this writing there are no known laws preventing the
exportation of NULL with a zero (0) bit key length.
5. Intellectual Property Rights
Pursuant to the provisions of [RFC-2026], the authors represent that
they have disclosed the existence of any proprietary or intellectual
property rights in the contribution that are reasonably and
personally known to the authors. The authors do not represent that
they personally know of all potentially pertinent proprietary and
intellectual property rights owned or claimed by the organizations
they represent or third parties.
6. Acknowledgments
Steve Bellovin suggested and provided the text for the Intellectual
Property Rights section.
Credit also needs to be given to the participants of the Cisco/ICSA
IPsec & IKE March 1998 Interoperability Workshop since it was there
that the need for this document became apparent.
7. References
[ESP] Kent, S., and R. Atkinson, "IP Encapsulating Security
Payload", RFC 2406, November 1998.
[AH] Kent, S., and R. Atkinson, "IP Authentication Header",
RFC 2402, November 1998.
[ROAD] Thayer, R., Doraswamy, N., and R. Glenn, "IP Security
Document Roadmap", RFC 2411, November 1998.
[DOI] Piper, D., "The Internet IP Security Domain of
Interpretation for ISAKMP", RFC 2408, November 1998.
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 4]
RFC 2410 NULL and IPsec November 1998
[IKE] Harkins, D., and D. Carrel, "The Internet Key Exchange
(IKE)", RFC 2409, November 1998.
[RFC-2026] Bradner, S., "The Internet Standards Process -- Revision
3", BCP 9, RFC 2026, October 1996.
[RFC-2040] Baldwin, R., and R. Rivest, "The RC5, RC5-CBC, RC5-CBC-
Pad, and RC5-CTS Algorithms", RFC 2040, October 1996
[RFC-2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
6. Editors' Addresses
Rob Glenn
NIST
EMail: rob.glenn@nist.gov
Stephen Kent
BBN Corporation
EMail: kent@bbn.com
The IPsec working group can be contacted through the chairs:
Robert Moskowitz
ICSA
EMail: rgm@icsa.net
Ted T'so
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
EMail: tytso@mit.edu
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 5]
RFC 2410 NULL and IPsec November 1998
7. Full Copyright Statement
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998). All Rights Reserved.
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to
others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it
or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published
and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any
kind, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are
included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this
document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing
the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other
Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of
developing Internet standards in which case the procedures for
copyrights defined in the Internet Standards process must be
followed, or as required to translate it into languages other than
English.
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be
revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
This document and the information contained herein is provided on an
"AS IS" basis and THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET ENGINEERING
TASK FORCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION
HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Glenn & Kent Standards Track [Page 6]
медицинский перевод
промывка инжектор
аденома
купить ниппель перех
электропечь dimplex model brayford
радиодоступ
покраска рчв
корпаративные праздник
корпоративный иностранный
факультет психология
китайский махровый
тонирование авто
доставка алкогольный
клеить 88 люкс
отпуск конец
гравировальный бур
шарошка алмазный
газонокосилка dolmar
кпк опт
решетка
ipsec
покраска аэротенк
регестрация пбоюл
решетка окон
покраска рчв
выставочный витрина
антигололедные реагент
поставка холодильный камера
купить раструб
три цвета: красный
устройство плавный пуск
магнитно-маркерные доска
ножной пластырь
клеить нанесение
5004.10 (крышка)
купить аудиоплееры
kyiv apartaments service
подготовка ielts
редизайн кострома
арманьяк доставка
распыление ароматизатор
этикетировочные машина
залог кострома
время иваново
эмжс
эфирный антенна
инженерный геодезия
факультет психология
кулер
ubiquam
электрокардиограф
подбор эмаль
кулер 754
концепция совершенствование сбыта
купить аудиоплееры
гуп ритуал
полноцвет кружок
химчистка доставка
стелаж пищеблок
корпаративные праздник
папиллома
автоподъемник
лучший ковры
электрокардиограф
охота быкова
кулер
циклон батарейный
герб вышивка
thuraya sg 2510
зиплок
легранд
листогибы
фарфор
фактурный краска
ведро шампанский
флагшток внутренний использование
нужный билет
устройство плавный пуск
метробонд
варочный поверхность hansa
sky link
вышитый герб
угловой тестомесители
электрокотел
сэндвич кофе-бар
прайс сушильный машина
нард короткий
mobil cut
медицинский перевод
спецобувь производитель
холодильный агрегат
купить мобильник
лечение слух
промывка инжектор
дренаж
телефонный анкетирование
охота зверь
snr
природа охота
виные холодильник
ливнесборные решетка
помещение шиномонтаж
braas
экг 4у
банковский сейфовые ячейка
карбид кальций
укв радиосвязь
уличный барбекю
экг 4у
кулер 775
слюдопластовые втулка
теннисный ракетка
клеить 88 люкс
добрый тепло
многотарифные электросчетчик
вышитый герб
багетный мастерский
аэробика
кружка
купить электроэнцефалограф
холодильник neff
программа шифрование
жила кострома
факультет психология
8800 gold edition
длинный нард
асбест хризотиловый
капсула миаози
man гильза
подгонный компенсатор danfoss
решетка оцинкованный
iridium motorola
консультирование организация
купить видеокарту
квантовый медицина
купить ниппель
купить электрооткрывалку
5003.17 (крышка)
k610 купить
доставка канцелярия
ичп пбоюл
отпуск конец
ваза 2114
грунт стяжка
бахила производитель
доставка кулеров
видеосъемка торжество
трость доставка
зона ограничение доступ
asus p505
прайс сушильный машина
гидрант
помидор купля
узи тошиба
цвет гармония
вакуумный упаковочный
холодный зеркало
перевод итальянский
пломбирование
поставщик вина
георешетка
анимация 3d график
басейны intex
аэрография
tognana фарфор
ферромолибден
асбест а7-450
бензопила dolmar
миканитовые втулка
купить конвертер
8800 gold edition
экстракт корень лопух сух.
купить яйцеварку
газонокосилка black decker
1с бюджетирование
цепной конвейер
светоотражающий краска
масло облепих.концентрат
тройник
бюджетирование
рак пищевод
медицинский перевод
банковский ячейка
съемный зубной протез
огнестойкий краска
конкурентный анализ
купить ниппель
велюкс
мурано
уличный барбекю
вагонка половой доска
дренаж
сервер hp
шумок дмитрий владимирович
катетер
прайс зеркало
доставка напиток
сушильный машина asko
торговый витрина
решетка
raymond weil
билет ммдм
выписка егрп
управление иваново
knauf гипсокартон
антиобледенительные система
длинный нард
газонокосилка dolmar
лучший ковры
vps vds
агат кристи билет
разделы