Rename the entire workspace:
- Crate packages: quicnprotochat-{core,proto,server,client,gui,p2p,mobile} -> quicproquo-*
- Binary names: quicnprotochat -> qpq, quicnprotochat-server -> qpq-server,
quicnprotochat-gui -> qpq-gui
- Default files: *-state.bin -> qpq-state.bin, *-server.toml -> qpq-server.toml,
*.db -> qpq.db
- Environment variable prefix: QUICNPROTOCHAT_* -> QPQ_*
- App identifier: chat.quicnproto.gui -> chat.quicproquo.gui
- Proto package: quicnprotochat.bench -> quicproquo.bench
- All documentation, Docker, CI, and script references updated
HKDF domain-separation strings and P2P ALPN remain unchanged for
backward compatibility with existing encrypted state and wire protocol.
Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
91 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
91 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
# Cryptography Overview
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quicproquo layers multiple cryptographic protocols to provide confidentiality,
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integrity, authentication, forward secrecy, and post-compromise security. This
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page catalogues every algorithm in the system, the crate that supplies it, and
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the security margin it provides.
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## Algorithm Inventory
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| Algorithm | Purpose | Crate | Security Level |
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|-----------|---------|-------|----------------|
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| Ed25519 | Identity signing, MLS credentials | `ed25519-dalek 2` | 128-bit classical |
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| X25519 | MLS HPKE key exchange, Hybrid KEM | `x25519-dalek 2` | 128-bit classical |
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| AES-128-GCM | MLS AEAD | `openmls` (via RustCrypto) | 128-bit |
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| SHA-256 | Key fingerprints, HKDF | `sha2 0.10` | 128-bit collision resistance |
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| ML-KEM-768 | Post-quantum KEM | `ml-kem 0.2` | NIST Level 3 (~192-bit PQ) |
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| HKDF-SHA256 | Key derivation | `hkdf 0.12` | Depends on input entropy |
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> **Note:** The system provides 128-bit classical security throughout. When the
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> hybrid KEM is active (M5 onward), content encryption gains 192-bit
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> post-quantum security via ML-KEM-768.
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## Where Each Algorithm Appears
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### Transport Layer
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**QUIC/TLS 1.3** (via `quinn 0.11` + `rustls 0.23`): Provides the encrypted
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transport tunnel. The TLS 1.3 handshake negotiates an ephemeral ECDHE key
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exchange (X25519 or P-256, depending on the peer) and an AEAD cipher
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(AES-128-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305). This layer protects connection metadata
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from passive network observers.
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### Application Layer
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1. **MLS (RFC 9420)** (via `openmls 0.5`): Provides end-to-end encrypted
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group messaging. The ciphersuite is
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`MLS_128_DHKEMX25519_AES128GCM_SHA256_Ed25519`, which uses:
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- X25519 for DHKEM (HPKE key exchange)
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- AES-128-GCM for content encryption
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- SHA-256 for the KDF and transcript hashing
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- Ed25519 for signing Commits, Proposals, and credentials
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2. **Hybrid KEM** (via `ml-kem 0.2` + `x25519-dalek 2` + `hkdf 0.12`):
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An outer encryption layer combining X25519 and ML-KEM-768. The combined
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shared secret is derived through HKDF-SHA256 and used with
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ChaCha20-Poly1305 for AEAD. See
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[Post-Quantum Readiness](post-quantum-readiness.md) for integration plans.
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### Identity Layer
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- **Ed25519** provides long-term identity signing. Each client generates a
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single Ed25519 keypair that serves as the MLS `BasicCredential`, the
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Authentication Service registration key, and the delivery queue index. See
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[Ed25519 Identity Keys](identity-keys.md).
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- **SHA-256** computes key fingerprints -- a 32-byte digest of the Ed25519
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public key bytes used for compact, collision-resistant identification in logs
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and protocol messages.
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## Security Level Summary
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All classical algorithms in the system target at least 128-bit security. The
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post-quantum component (ML-KEM-768) targets NIST Level 3, which corresponds to
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roughly 192-bit security against quantum adversaries.
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The weakest classical link is the 128-bit security level of AES-128-GCM in the
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MLS ciphersuite. This is consistent with the IETF's recommended MLS ciphersuite
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and is considered adequate for the foreseeable future.
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```text
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Layer Classical Security Post-Quantum Security
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
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QUIC/TLS 1.3 128-bit (ECDHE) None (classical only)
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MLS (content) 128-bit (AES-128-GCM) None (classical only)
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Hybrid KEM (M5+) 128-bit (X25519) ~192-bit (ML-KEM-768)
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```
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See the [Threat Model](threat-model.md) for a discussion of what is and is not
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protected, and [Forward Secrecy](forward-secrecy.md) and
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[Post-Compromise Security](post-compromise-security.md) for the advanced
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security properties these algorithms enable.
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## Related Pages
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- [Ed25519 Identity Keys](identity-keys.md) -- long-term signing keypair
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- [Key Lifecycle and Zeroization](key-lifecycle.md) -- creation through destruction
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- [Forward Secrecy](forward-secrecy.md) -- past message protection
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- [Post-Compromise Security](post-compromise-security.md) -- future message recovery
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- [Post-Quantum Readiness](post-quantum-readiness.md) -- ML-KEM-768 hybrid KEM
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- [Threat Model](threat-model.md) -- attacker models and known gaps
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