Constructing strong KEM from weak KEM (or how to revive the KEM/DEM framework)

Authors

Joonsang Baek, Institute for Infocomm Research, SingaporeFollow
David Galindo, University of MalagaFollow
Willy Susilo, University of WollongongFollow
Jianying Zhou, Institute for Infocomm Research, SingaporeFollow

RIS ID

26102

Publication Details

Baek, J., Galindo, D., Susilo, W. & Zhou, J. (2008). Constructing strong KEM from weak KEM (or how to revive the KEM/DEM framework). In R. Ostrovsky, R. De Prisco & I. Visconti (Eds.), Security and Cryptography for Networks. Sixth International Conference, SCN 2008 (pp. 358-374). Germany: Springer-verlag.

Abstract

We propose a generic method that transforms a weakly secure KEM, i.e. a KEM which is secure against constrained chosen ciphertext attack (CCCA), to a strongly secure KEM, i.e. a KEM which is secure against full chosen ciphertext attack (CCA). The proposed method does not depend on the random oracle nor any other non- standard assumptions. Using this method, we obtain new efficient hybrid encryption schemes based on Kurosawa&Desmedt and Hofheinz&Kiltz weakly secure KEMs. These are the first hybrid encryption schemes which are as efficient as Kurosawa&Desmedt and Hofheinz&Kiltz encryption schemes, but whose security can be explained in the original KEM/DEM framework.