A closer look at the tropical cryptography. Issue 2 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isaac, Steve; Kahrobaei, Delaram
• Is Part Of: International journal of computer mathematics. Volume 6:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Algebra -- cryptography -- semidirect product -- tropical algebra; 68; Computer systems -- Periodicals; Computer systems; Periodicals; 004
• DOI: 10.1080/23799927.2020.1862303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9927

Abstract

Abstract : We examine two recently proposed public key exchange protocols that are based upon tropical matrix algebras. We observe the first protocol to exhibit a pattern. We introduce a fast attack on the first protocol that exploits this pattern to extract a private parameter of the protocol, and consequently the shared key, in seconds. We go on to show that the second protocol cannot be implemented as it is described in the proposal. The protocol is reliant on an operation being associative. We prove by counterexample that this operation is not associative.