Why a block cipher can be easily turned into a stream cipher while the opposite is not the case?
A block cipher can be indeed easily turned into a stream cipher while the opposite is not the case. This is due to the fundamental differences between block ciphers and stream ciphers, as well as the properties and requirements of each.
To better understand this problem, let's first define what block ciphers and stream ciphers are. A block cipher is a cryptographic algorithm that operates on fixed-size blocks of data, typically 64 or 128 bits. It encrypts or decrypts these blocks independently, using a fixed key. Examples of block ciphers include the Data Encryption Standard (DES), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), and Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES).
On the other hand, a stream cipher is a cryptographic algorithm that encrypts or decrypts data one bit or one byte at a time. It uses a key and a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) to generate a stream of bits or bytes, which are then combined with the plaintext or ciphertext using an XOR operation. The resulting stream is used to encrypt or decrypt the data. Stream ciphers are often used for real-time communication and have applications in wireless networks, satellite communication, and secure voice transmission.
Now, let's consider the reasons why a block cipher can be easily turned into a stream cipher, while the opposite is not true. One of the main reasons is that the structure and design of a block cipher inherently allow for the transformation into a stream cipher. Block ciphers are designed to operate on fixed-size blocks of data, but they can also be used in a mode called "counter mode" or "CTR mode" to generate a stream of key bits or bytes. In this mode, the block cipher is used as a PRNG, where the key and a counter value are input into the block cipher encryption function to generate the stream of key bits or bytes. This stream can then be used as the keystream in a stream cipher.
For example, let's consider the AES block cipher. AES operates on 128-bit blocks and supports key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits. To turn AES into a stream cipher, we can use it in CTR mode. In CTR mode, we select a nonce (a unique value) and a counter value. We then encrypt the nonce concatenated with the counter using AES, and the resulting ciphertext is used as the keystream. The keystream is XORed with the plaintext to produce the ciphertext, and vice versa for decryption. By incrementing the counter value for each block of plaintext or ciphertext, we can generate a stream of key bits or bytes.
On the other hand, the opposite transformation, turning a stream cipher into a block cipher, is not straightforward. Stream ciphers are designed to operate on individual bits or bytes, and their encryption and decryption processes are based on the assumption of a continuous stream of data. Block ciphers, on the other hand, require fixed-size blocks of data and operate on these blocks independently. The block cipher encryption and decryption functions are not designed to handle individual bits or bytes.
If we were to try to turn a stream cipher into a block cipher, we would need to define a fixed block size and determine how to handle the encryption and decryption of individual bits or bytes within the block. This would require significant modifications to the stream cipher algorithm, potentially compromising its security and efficiency.
A block cipher can be easily turned into a stream cipher by using it in counter mode, where the block cipher is used as a PRNG to generate a stream of key bits or bytes. However, the opposite transformation, turning a stream cipher into a block cipher, is not straightforward due to the inherent differences in their design and operation.
Other recent questions and answers regarding EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals:
- Was public-key cryptography introduced for use in encryption?
- Is the set of all possible keys of a particular cryptographic protocol referred to as the keyspace in cryptography?
- In a shift cipher, are the letters at the end of the alphabet replaced with letters from the beginning of the alphabet according to modular arithmetic?
- What should a block cipher include according to Shannon?
- Was the DES protocol introduced to improve the security of AES cryptosystems?
- Does the security of block ciphers depend on combining confusion and diffusion operations many times?
- Do the encryption and decryption functions need to be kept secret for the cryptographic protocol to remain secure?
- Can cryptanalysis be used to communicate securely over an insecure communication channel?
- Do Internet, GSM, and wireless networks belong to the insecure communication channels?
- Is an exhaustive key search effective against substitution ciphers?
View more questions and answers in EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals