Re: News Flash: Clipper Bug?
smb wrote: Perry's right. Several of us have seen Matt's paper, and the attacks really do work. (Even NSA admits that.) But out of courtesy to Matt, we'd rather leave it to him to discuss the details. One thing this shows, even if the application of the technique turns out to be too difficult to be practical, is that Dorothy Denning's evaluation of the design was worthless. That team should have found this themselves. No wonder she was trying to play it down in the NYT. G
One thing this shows, even if the application of the technique turns out to be too difficult to be practical, is that Dorothy Denning's evaluation of the design was worthless. That team should have found this themselves. No wonder she was trying to play it down in the NYT.
It was my understanding that Denning was just looking at the Skipjack algorithm, and not the clipper unit as a whole. I wouldn't be too quick to condemn her on this point.
SINCLAIR DOUGLAS N says:
One thing this shows, even if the application of the technique turns out to be too difficult to be practical, is that Dorothy Denning's evaluation of the design was worthless. That team should have found this themselves. No wonder she was trying to play it down in the NYT.
It was my understanding that Denning was just looking at the Skipjack algorithm, and not the clipper unit as a whole. I wouldn't be too quick to condemn her on this point.
I'll also note that as embarassing as Matt's discovery is, we must continue to focus on the inherent flaw in the very concept of EES, rather than on any particular technical flaw. The number of flaws we can find with public information is limited, and NSA can always bullshit congressmen until they give up. Besides, technical flaws can be repaired. If people oppose the CONCEPT of the EES, then it makes no difference how well implemented it is. However, I really have to say, Matt's hack is still NEAT! Perry
participants (3)
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gtoal＠an-teallach.com -
Perry E. Metzger -
SINCLAIR DOUGLAS N