RFC 8037 PROPOSED STANDARD SECURITY · JOSE · CRYPTOGRAPHY

CFRG Curves in JOSE: CFRG Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) and Signatures in JSON Object Signing and Encryption (JOSE)

How JOSE carries the modern X25519, X448, Ed25519 and Ed448 algorithms: one new key type and one new signature name.

On rfc-editor.org ↗
PUBLISHED
January 2017
AUTHORS
I. Liusvaara
STREAM
IETF
UPDATED BY
RFC 9864 — Fully-specified algs
NEW KEY TYPE
OKP (Octet Key Pair)
NEW SIGNATURE ALGORITHM NAME
EdDSA
SIGNATURE CURVES
Ed25519, Ed448
KEY AGREEMENT CURVES
X25519, X448
NOMINAL SECURITY STRENGTH
~126 bits (X25519), ~223 bits (X448)
DOI
10.17487/RFC8037
ERRATA
Reported errata

RFC text

Contents
Original text · RFC Editor View on rfc-editor.org ↗
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)                      I. Liusvaara
Request for Comments: 8037                                   Independent
Category: Standards Track                                   January 2017
ISSN: 2070-1721


        CFRG Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) and Signatures
              in JSON Object Signing and Encryption (JOSE)

Abstract

   This document defines how to use the Diffie-Hellman algorithms
   "X25519" and "X448" as well as the signature algorithms "Ed25519" and
   "Ed448" from the IRTF CFRG elliptic curves work in JSON Object
   Signing and Encryption (JOSE).

Status of This Memo

   This is an Internet Standards Track document.

   This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
   (IETF).  It represents the consensus of the IETF community.  It has
   received public review and has been approved for publication by the
   Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).  Further information on
   Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 7841.

   Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
   and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
   http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8037.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2017 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
   (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
   publication of this document.  Please review these documents
   carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
   to this document.  Code Components extracted from this document must
   include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
   the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
   described in the Simplified BSD License.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     1.1.  Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   2.  Key Type "OKP"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   3.  Algorithms  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     3.1.  Signatures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
       3.1.1.  Signing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
       3.1.2.  Verification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     3.2.  ECDH-ES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
       3.2.1.  Performing the ECDH Operation . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
   4.  Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
   5.  IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
   6.  References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     6.1.  Normative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     6.2.  Informative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
   Appendix A.  Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     A.1.  Ed25519 Private Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     A.2.  Ed25519 Public Key  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     A.3.  JWK Thumbprint Canonicalization . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     A.4.  Ed25519 Signing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     A.5.  Ed25519 Validation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
     A.6.  ECDH-ES with X25519 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
     A.7.  ECDH-ES with X448 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
   Acknowledgements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
   Author's Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

1.  Introduction

   The Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) Crypto Forum Research Group
   (CFRG) selected new Diffie-Hellman algorithms ("X25519" and "X448";
   [RFC7748]) and signature algorithms ("Ed25519" and "Ed448";
   [RFC8032]) for asymmetric key cryptography.  This document defines
   how to use those algorithms in JOSE in an interoperable manner.

   This document defines the conventions to use in the context of
   [RFC7515], [RFC7516], and [RFC7517].

   While the CFRG also defined two pairs of isogenous elliptic curves
   that underlie these algorithms, these curves are not directly
   exposed, as the algorithms laid on top are sufficient for the
   purposes of JOSE and are much easier to use.

   All inputs to and outputs from the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman
   (ECDH) and signature functions are defined to be octet strings, with
   the exception of outputs of verification functions, which are
   booleans.

1.1.  Terminology

   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 [RFC2119].

   "JWS Signing Input" and "JWS Signature" are defined by [RFC7515].

   "Key Agreement with Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral Static"
   is defined by Section 4.6 of [RFC7518].

   The JOSE key format ("JSON Web Key (JWK)") is defined by [RFC7517]
   and thumbprints for it ("JSON Web Key (JWK) Thumbprint") in
   [RFC7638].

2.  Key Type "OKP"

   A new key type (kty) value "OKP" (Octet Key Pair) is defined for
   public key algorithms that use octet strings as private and public
   keys.  It has the following parameters:

   o  The parameter "kty" MUST be "OKP".

   o  The parameter "crv" MUST be present and contain the subtype of the
      key (from the "JSON Web Elliptic Curve" registry).

   o  The parameter "x" MUST be present and contain the public key
      encoded using the base64url [RFC4648] encoding.

   o  The parameter "d" MUST be present for private keys and contain the
      private key encoded using the base64url encoding.  This parameter
      MUST NOT be present for public keys.

   Note: Do not assume that there is an underlying elliptic curve,
   despite the existence of the "crv" and "x" parameters.  (For
   instance, this key type could be extended to represent Diffie-Hellman
   (DH) algorithms based on hyperelliptic surfaces.)

   When calculating JWK Thumbprints [RFC7638], the three public key
   fields are included in the hash input in lexicographic order: "crv",
   "kty", and "x".

3.  Algorithms

3.1.  Signatures

   For the purpose of using the Edwards-curve Digital Signature
   Algorithm (EdDSA) for signing data using "JSON Web Signature (JWS)"
   [RFC7515], algorithm "EdDSA" is defined here, to be applied as the
   value of the "alg" parameter.

   The following key subtypes are defined here for use with EdDSA:

      "crv"             EdDSA Variant
      Ed25519           Ed25519
      Ed448             Ed448

   The key type used with these keys is "OKP" and the algorithm used for
   signing is "EdDSA".  These subtypes MUST NOT be used for Elliptic
   Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral Static (ECDH-ES).

   The EdDSA variant used is determined by the subtype of the key
   (Ed25519 for "Ed25519" and Ed448 for "Ed448").

3.1.1.  Signing

   Signing for these is performed by applying the signing algorithm
   defined in [RFC8032] to the private key (as private key), public key
   (as public key), and the JWS Signing Input (as message).  The
   resulting signature is the JWS Signature.  All inputs and outputs are
   octet strings.

3.1.2.  Verification

   Verification is performed by applying the verification algorithm
   defined in [RFC8032] to the public key (as public key), the JWS
   Signing Input (as message), and the JWS Signature (as signature).
   All inputs are octet strings.  If the algorithm accepts, the
   signature is valid; otherwise, the signature is invalid.

3.2.  ECDH-ES

   The following key subtypes are defined here for purpose of "Key
   Agreement with Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral Static"
   (ECDH-ES):

      "crv"             ECDH Function Applied
      X25519            X25519
      X448              X448
   The key type used with these keys is "OKP".  These subtypes MUST NOT
   be used for signing.

   Section 4.6 of [RFC7518] defines the ECDH-ES algorithms
   "ECDH-ES+A128KW", "ECDH-ES+A192KW", "ECDH-ES+A256KW", and "ECDH-ES".

3.2.1.  Performing the ECDH Operation

   The "x" parameter of the "epk" field is set as follows:

   Apply the appropriate ECDH function to the ephemeral private key (as
   scalar input) and the standard base point (as u-coordinate input).
   The base64url encoding of the output is the value for the "x"
   parameter of the "epk" field.  All inputs and outputs are octet
   strings.

   The Z value (raw key agreement output) for key agreement (to be used
   in subsequent Key Derivation Function (KDF) as per Section 4.6.2 of
   [RFC7518]) is determined as follows:

   Apply the appropriate ECDH function to the ephemeral private key (as
   scalar input) and receiver public key (as u-coordinate input).  The
   output is the Z value.  All inputs and outputs are octet strings.

4.  Security Considerations

   Security considerations from [RFC7748] and [RFC8032] apply here.

   Do not separate key material from information about what key subtype
   it is for.  When using keys, check that the algorithm is compatible
   with the key subtype for the key.  To do otherwise opens the system
   up to attacks via mixing up algorithms.  It is particularly dangerous
   to mix up signature and Message Authentication Code (MAC) algorithms.

   Although for Ed25519 and Ed448, the signature binds the key used for
   signing, do not assume this, as there are many signature algorithms
   that fail to make such a binding.  If key-binding is desired, include
   the key used for signing either inside the JWS protected header or
   the data to sign.

   If key generation or batch signature verification is performed, a
   well-seeded cryptographic random number generator is REQUIRED.
   Signing and non-batch signature verification are deterministic
   operations and do not need random numbers of any kind.

   The JSON Web Algorithm (JWA) ECDH-ES KDF construction does not mix
   keys into the final shared secret.  In key exchange, such mixing
   could be a bad mistake; whereas here either the receiver public key
   has to be chosen maliciously or the sender has to be malicious in
   order to cause problems.  In either case, all security evaporates.

   The nominal security strengths of X25519 and X448 are ~126 and ~223
   bits.  Therefore, using 256-bit symmetric encryption (especially key
   wrapping and encryption) with X448 is RECOMMENDED.

5.  IANA Considerations

   The following has been added to the "JSON Web Key Types" registry:

   o  "kty" Parameter Value: "OKP"
   o  Key Type Description: Octet string key pairs
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 2 of RFC 8037

   The following has been added to the "JSON Web Key Parameters"
   registry:

   o  Parameter Name: "crv"
   o  Parameter Description: The subtype of key pair
   o  Parameter Information Class: Public
   o  Used with "kty" Value(s): "OKP"
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 2 of RFC 8037

   o  Parameter Name: "d"
   o  Parameter Description: The private key
   o  Parameter Information Class: Private
   o  Used with "kty" Value(s): "OKP"
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 2 of RFC 8037

   o  Parameter Name: "x"
   o  Parameter Description: The public key
   o  Parameter Information Class: Public
   o  Used with "kty" Value(s): "OKP"
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 2 of RFC 8037
   The following has been added to the "JSON Web Signature and
   Encryption Algorithms" registry:

   o  Algorithm Name: "EdDSA"
   o  Algorithm Description: EdDSA signature algorithms
   o  Algorithm Usage Location(s): "alg"
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG

   o  Specification Document(s): Section 3.1 of RFC 8037
   o  Algorithm Analysis Documents(s): [RFC8032]

   The following has been added to the "JSON Web Key Elliptic Curve"
   registry:

   o  Curve Name: "Ed25519"
   o  Curve Description: Ed25519 signature algorithm key pairs
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 3.1 of RFC 8037

   o  Curve Name: "Ed448"
   o  Curve Description: Ed448 signature algorithm key pairs
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 3.1 of RFC 8037

   o  Curve name: "X25519"
   o  Curve Description: X25519 function key pairs
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 3.2 of RFC 8037
   o  Analysis Documents(s): [RFC7748]

   o  Curve Name: "X448"
   o  Curve Description: X448 function key pairs
   o  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   o  Change Controller: IESG
   o  Specification Document(s): Section 3.2 of RFC 8037
   o  Analysis Documents(s): [RFC7748]

6.  References

6.1.  Normative References

   [RFC2119]  Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
              Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC2119, March 1997,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2119>.

   [RFC4648]  Josefsson, S., "The Base16, Base32, and Base64 Data
              Encodings", RFC 4648, DOI 10.17487/RFC4648, October 2006,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc4648>.

   [RFC7515]  Jones, M., Bradley, J., and N. Sakimura, "JSON Web
              Signature (JWS)", RFC 7515, DOI 10.17487/RFC7515, May
              2015, <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7515>.

   [RFC7517]  Jones, M., "JSON Web Key (JWK)", RFC 7517,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7517, May 2015,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7517>.

   [RFC7518]  Jones, M., "JSON Web Algorithms (JWA)", RFC 7518,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7518, May 2015,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7518>.

   [RFC7638]  Jones, M. and N. Sakimura, "JSON Web Key (JWK)
              Thumbprint", RFC 7638, DOI 10.17487/RFC7638, September
              2015, <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7638>.

   [RFC7748]  Langley, A., Hamburg, M., and S. Turner, "Elliptic Curves
              for Security", RFC 7748, DOI 10.17487/RFC7748, January
              2016, <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7748>.

   [RFC8032]  Josefsson, S. and I. Liusvaara, "Edwards-Curve Digital
              Signature Algorithm (EdDSA)", RFC 8032,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC8032, January 2017,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8032>.

6.2.  Informative References

   [RFC7516]  Jones, M. and J. Hildebrand, "JSON Web Encryption (JWE)",
              RFC 7516, DOI 10.17487/RFC7516, May 2015,
              <http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7516>.

Appendix A.  Examples

   To the extent possible, these examples use material taken from test
   vectors of [RFC7748] and [RFC8032].

A.1.  Ed25519 Private Key

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"Ed25519",
   "d":"nWGxne_9WmC6hEr0kuwsxERJxWl7MmkZcDusAxyuf2A",
   "x":"11qYAYKxCrfVS_7TyWQHOg7hcvPapiMlrwIaaPcHURo"}

   The hexadecimal dump of private key is:

   9d 61 b1 9d ef fd 5a 60 ba 84 4a f4 92 ec 2c c4
   44 49 c5 69 7b 32 69 19 70 3b ac 03 1c ae 7f 60

   And of the public key is:

   d7 5a 98 01 82 b1 0a b7 d5 4b fe d3 c9 64 07 3a
   0e e1 72 f3 da a6 23 25 af 02 1a 68 f7 07 51 1a

A.2.  Ed25519 Public Key

   This is the public part of the previous private key (which just omits
   "d"):

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"Ed25519",
   "x":"11qYAYKxCrfVS_7TyWQHOg7hcvPapiMlrwIaaPcHURo"}

A.3.  JWK Thumbprint Canonicalization

   The JWK Thumbprint canonicalization of the two examples above (with a
   linebreak inserted for formatting reasons) is:

   {"crv":"Ed25519","kty":"OKP","x":"11qYAYKxCrfVS_7TyWQHOg7hcvPapiMlrwI
   aaPcHURo"}

   Which has the SHA-256 hash (in hexadecimal) of
   90facafea9b1556698540f70c0117a22ea37bd5cf3ed3c47093c1707282b4b89,
   which results in the base64url encoded JWK Thumbprint representation
   of "kPrK_qmxVWaYVA9wwBF6Iuo3vVzz7TxHCTwXBygrS4k".

A.4.  Ed25519 Signing

   The JWS protected header is:

   {"alg":"EdDSA"}

   This has the base64url encoding of:

   eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9

   The payload is (text):

   Example of Ed25519 signing

   This has the base64url encoding of:

   RXhhbXBsZSBvZiBFZDI1NTE5IHNpZ25pbmc

   The JWS signing input is (a concatenation of base64url encoding of
   the (protected) header, a dot, and base64url encoding of the payload)
   is:

   eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9.RXhhbXBsZSBvZiBFZDI1NTE5IHNpZ25pbmc

   Applying the Ed25519 signing algorithm using the private key, public
   key, and the JWS signing input yields the signature (hex):

   86 0c 98 d2 29 7f 30 60 a3 3f 42 73 96 72 d6 1b
   53 cf 3a de fe d3 d3 c6 72 f3 20 dc 02 1b 41 1e
   9d 59 b8 62 8d c3 51 e2 48 b8 8b 29 46 8e 0e 41
   85 5b 0f b7 d8 3b b1 5b e9 02 bf cc b8 cd 0a 02

   Converting this to base64url yields:

   hgyY0il_MGCjP0JzlnLWG1PPOt7-09PGcvMg3AIbQR6dWbhijcNR4ki4iylGjg5BhVsPt
   9g7sVvpAr_MuM0KAg

   So the compact serialization of the JWS is (a concatenation of
   signing input, a dot, and base64url encoding of the signature):

   eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9.RXhhbXBsZSBvZiBFZDI1NTE5IHNpZ25pbmc.hgyY0il_MGCj
   P0JzlnLWG1PPOt7-09PGcvMg3AIbQR6dWbhijcNR4ki4iylGjg5BhVsPt9g7sVvpAr_Mu
   M0KAg

A.5.  Ed25519 Validation

   The JWS from the example above is:

   eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9.RXhhbXBsZSBvZiBFZDI1NTE5IHNpZ25pbmc.hgyY0il_MGCj
   P0JzlnLWG1PPOt7-09PGcvMg3AIbQR6dWbhijcNR4ki4iylGjg5BhVsPt9g7sVvpAr_Mu
   M0KAg

   This has 2 dots in it, so it might be valid a JWS.  Base64url
   decoding the protected header yields:

   {"alg":"EdDSA"}

   So this is an EdDSA signature.  Now the key has: "kty":"OKP" and
   "crv":"Ed25519", so the signature is Ed25519 signature.

   The signing input is the part before the second dot:

   eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9.RXhhbXBsZSBvZiBFZDI1NTE5IHNpZ25pbmc

   Applying the Ed25519 verification algorithm to the public key, JWS
   signing input, and the signature yields true.  So the signature is
   valid.  The message is the base64url decoding of the part between the
   dots:

   Example of Ed25519 Signing

A.6.  ECDH-ES with X25519

   The public key to encrypt to is:

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"X25519","kid":"Bob",
   "x":"3p7bfXt9wbTTW2HC7OQ1Nz-DQ8hbeGdNrfx-FG-IK08"}

   The public key from the target key is (hex):

   de 9e db 7d 7b 7d c1 b4 d3 5b 61 c2 ec e4 35 37
   3f 83 43 c8 5b 78 67 4d ad fc 7e 14 6f 88 2b 4f

   The ephemeral secret happens to be (hex):

   77 07 6d 0a 73 18 a5 7d 3c 16 c1 72 51 b2 66 45
   df 4c 2f 87 eb c0 99 2a b1 77 fb a5 1d b9 2c 2a

   So the ephemeral public key is X25519(ephkey, G) (hex):

   85 20 f0 09 89 30 a7 54 74 8b 7d dc b4 3e f7 5a
   0d bf 3a 0d 26 38 1a f4 eb a4 a9 8e aa 9b 4e 6a
   This is represented as the ephemeral public key value:

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"X25519",
   "x":"hSDwCYkwp1R0i33ctD73Wg2_Og0mOBr066SpjqqbTmo"}

   So the protected header could be, for example:

   {"alg":"ECDH-ES+A128KW","epk":{"kty":"OKP","crv":"X25519",
   "x":"hSDwCYkwp1R0i33ctD73Wg2_Og0mOBr066SpjqqbTmo"},
   "enc":"A128GCM","kid":"Bob"}

   And the sender computes the DH Z value as X25519(ephkey, recv_pub)
   (hex):

   4a 5d 9d 5b a4 ce 2d e1 72 8e 3b f4 80 35 0f 25
   e0 7e 21 c9 47 d1 9e 33 76 f0 9b 3c 1e 16 17 42

   The receiver computes the DH Z value as X25519(seckey, ephkey_pub)
   (hex):

   4a 5d 9d 5b a4 ce 2d e1 72 8e 3b f4 80 35 0f 25
   e0 7e 21 c9 47 d1 9e 33 76 f0 9b 3c 1e 16 17 42

   This is the same as the sender's value (both sides run this through
   the KDF before using it as a direct encryption key or AES128-KW key).

A.7.  ECDH-ES with X448

   The public key to encrypt to (with a linebreak inserted for
   formatting reasons) is:

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"X448","kid":"Dave",
   "x":"PreoKbDNIPW8_AtZm2_sz22kYnEHvbDU80W0MCfYuXL8PjT7QjKhPKcG3LV67D2
   uB73BxnvzNgk"}

   The public key from the target key is (hex):

   3e b7 a8 29 b0 cd 20 f5 bc fc 0b 59 9b 6f ec cf
   6d a4 62 71 07 bd b0 d4 f3 45 b4 30 27 d8 b9 72
   fc 3e 34 fb 42 32 a1 3c a7 06 dc b5 7a ec 3d ae
   07 bd c1 c6 7b f3 36 09

   The ephemeral secret happens to be (hex):

   9a 8f 49 25 d1 51 9f 57 75 cf 46 b0 4b 58 00 d4
   ee 9e e8 ba e8 bc 55 65 d4 98 c2 8d d9 c9 ba f5
   74 a9 41 97 44 89 73 91 00 63 82 a6 f1 27 ab 1d
   9a c2 d8 c0 a5 98 72 6b
   So the ephemeral public key is X448(ephkey, G) (hex):

   9b 08 f7 cc 31 b7 e3 e6 7d 22 d5 ae a1 21 07 4a
   27 3b d2 b8 3d e0 9c 63 fa a7 3d 2c 22 c5 d9 bb
   c8 36 64 72 41 d9 53 d4 0c 5b 12 da 88 12 0d 53
   17 7f 80 e5 32 c4 1f a0

   This is packed into the ephemeral public key value (a linebreak
   inserted for formatting purposes):

   {"kty":"OKP","crv":"X448",
   "x":"mwj3zDG34-Z9ItWuoSEHSic70rg94Jxj-qc9LCLF2bvINmRyQdlT1AxbEtqIEg1
   TF3-A5TLEH6A"}

   So the protected header could be, for example (a linebreak inserted
   for formatting purposes):

   {"alg":"ECDH-ES+A256KW","epk":{"kty":"OKP","crv":"X448",
   "x":"mwj3zDG34-Z9ItWuoSEHSic70rg94Jxj-qc9LCLF2bvINmRyQdlT1AxbEtqIEg1
   TF3-A5TLEH6A"},"enc":"A256GCM","kid":"Dave"}

   And the sender computes the DH Z value as X448(ephkey,recv_pub)
   (hex):

   07 ff f4 18 1a c6 cc 95 ec 1c 16 a9 4a 0f 74 d1
   2d a2 32 ce 40 a7 75 52 28 1d 28 2b b6 0c 0b 56
   fd 24 64 c3 35 54 39 36 52 1c 24 40 30 85 d5 9a
   44 9a 50 37 51 4a 87 9d

   The receiver computes the DH Z value as X448(seckey, ephkey_pub)
   (hex):

   07 ff f4 18 1a c6 cc 95 ec 1c 16 a9 4a 0f 74 d1
   2d a2 32 ce 40 a7 75 52 28 1d 28 2b b6 0c 0b 56
   fd 24 64 c3 35 54 39 36 52 1c 24 40 30 85 d5 9a
   44 9a 50 37 51 4a 87 9d

   This is the same as the sender's value (both sides run this through
   KDF before using it as the direct encryption key or AES256-KW key).

Acknowledgements

   Thanks to Michael B. Jones for his comments on an initial draft of
   this document and editorial help.

   Thanks to Matt Miller for some editorial help.

Author's Address

   Ilari Liusvaara
   Independent

   Email: ilariliusvaara@welho.com

AI ELI5

On this page
PROBLEMThe IRTF CFRG selected new Diffie-Hellman and signature algorithms, but JOSE had no agreed way to carry their keys or signatures in JSON.
MECHANISMThe RFC defines a new key type, OKP (Octet Key Pair), the signature algorithm name EdDSA, and the curve names Ed25519, Ed448, X25519 and X448, and says how to apply them to JWS signing and ECDH-ES key agreement.
WHY IT MATTERSJOSE implementations can use these algorithms interoperably. The RFC is a Proposed Standard and has since been updated by RFC 9864.

§1Why JOSE Needs These Algorithms

The IRTF Crypto Forum Research Group (CFRG) selected new Diffie-Hellman algorithms (X25519 and X448, from RFC 7748) and signature algorithms (Ed25519 and Ed448, from RFC 8032). This document defines how to use them in JOSE (JSON Object Signing and Encryption) in an interoperable manner.

The conventions apply in the context of JWS (RFC 7515), JWE (RFC 7516) and JWK (RFC 7517).

The CFRG also defined two pairs of isogenous elliptic curves under these algorithms. The RFC does not expose those curves directly, because the algorithms on top are enough for JOSE and are much easier to use. All inputs and outputs of the ECDH and signature functions are octet strings, except the result of verification, which is a boolean.

There are some new, popular kinds of secret codes. This RFC teaches the JSON toolbox how to use them, without making people learn the tricky maths underneath.

§2The OKP Key Type

A new key type (kty) value, OKP (Octet Key Pair), is defined for public key algorithms that use octet strings as private and public keys. It has these parameters:

  • kty MUST be OKP.
  • crv MUST be present and holds the subtype of the key, from the JSON Web Elliptic Curve registry.
  • x MUST be present and holds the public key, base64url encoded.
  • d MUST be present for private keys, base64url encoded, and MUST NOT be present for public keys.

The RFC adds a warning: do not assume there is an underlying elliptic curve just because the parameters are named crv and x. The key type could be extended to other Diffie-Hellman algorithms, for example ones based on hyperelliptic surfaces.

When computing a JWK Thumbprint (RFC 7638), the three public key fields go into the hash input in lexicographic order: crv, kty, x.

An OKP key is a label on a box of bytes saying what kind of key it is. The public part goes in one slot and the secret part, if there is one, in another.

§3.1Signing with EdDSA

For signing with JWS, the algorithm name EdDSA is defined as a value of the alg parameter. The key subtypes (crv values) for it are Ed25519 and Ed448, always with key type OKP. The EdDSA variant used is determined by the key's subtype. These subtypes MUST NOT be used for ECDH-ES.

Signing applies the signing algorithm of RFC 8032 to the private key, the public key and the JWS Signing Input (as the message). The result is the JWS Signature.

Verification applies the RFC 8032 verification algorithm to the public key, the JWS Signing Input and the JWS Signature. If the algorithm accepts, the signature is valid; otherwise it is invalid.

To sign, you stamp the message with your secret key. To check, anyone uses your public key to see whether the stamp is real.

KEY SUBTYPES AND WHAT THEY MAY BE USED FOR
crv valueFunctionUsed for
Ed25519Ed25519Signing (alg EdDSA)
Ed448Ed448Signing (alg EdDSA)
X25519X25519ECDH-ES key agreement
X448X448ECDH-ES key agreement

§3.2Key Agreement with ECDH-ES

For Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral Static (ECDH-ES) key agreement, the key subtypes X25519 and X448 are defined, again with key type OKP. They MUST NOT be used for signing. The ECDH-ES algorithms themselves (ECDH-ES, ECDH-ES+A128KW, ECDH-ES+A192KW and ECDH-ES+A256KW) come from Section 4.6 of RFC 7518.

To build the sender's ephemeral public key, apply the ECDH function to the ephemeral private key (scalar input) and the standard base point (u-coordinate input). The base64url encoding of the output becomes the x parameter of the epk field.

The shared value Z comes from applying the ECDH function to the ephemeral private key (scalar input) and the receiver's public key (u-coordinate input). Z then goes into the key derivation function from RFC 7518.

Two people each mix their own secret with the other's public number and end up with the same shared secret, without ever sending it.

§4Security Considerations

The security considerations of RFC 7748 and RFC 8032 apply. Beyond that, the RFC gives these warnings:

  • Keep key material together with the information about what key subtype it is for, and check that the algorithm is compatible with the key. Mixing up algorithms opens the system to attacks, and mixing up signature and MAC algorithms is particularly dangerous.
  • Ed25519 and Ed448 signatures bind the signing key, but do not assume this. If key binding is wanted, include the key in the JWS protected header or in the data to sign.
  • Key generation and batch signature verification REQUIRE a well-seeded cryptographic random number generator. Signing and non-batch verification are deterministic and need no random numbers.
  • The JWA ECDH-ES KDF construction does not mix keys into the final shared secret. Problems need a malicious receiver key or a malicious sender, but in either case all security evaporates.
  • The nominal security strengths of X25519 and X448 are about 126 and 223 bits, so using 256-bit symmetric encryption with X448 is RECOMMENDED.

Do not mix up your keys: a key for stamping must never be used for secret-sharing, and the other way round. Keep a label on every key.

§5IANA Registrations

The RFC adds entries to several JOSE registries, all with the IESG as change controller and with JOSE implementation requirement Optional.

  • JSON Web Key Types: OKP, described as octet string key pairs.
  • JSON Web Key Parameters: crv (the subtype of key pair), d (the private key) and x (the public key), all used with OKP.
  • JSON Web Signature and Encryption Algorithms: EdDSA.
  • JSON Web Key Elliptic Curve: Ed25519, Ed448, X25519 and X448.

Appendix A gives worked examples, mostly taken from the test vectors of RFC 7748 and RFC 8032: an Ed25519 key, its JWK thumbprint, a signed JWS, and ECDH-ES exchanges with X25519 and X448.

The new names were written into the official list of names so nobody else uses them for something different.

§7References