Cryptographic Token Interface Standard

PKCS#11


General block cipher key generation

Cipher <NAME> has a key generation mechanism, "<NAME> key generation", denoted CKM_<NAME>_KEY_GEN.

This mechanism does not have a parameter.

The mechanism contributes the CKA_CLASS, CKA_KEY_TYPE, and CKA_VALUE attributes to the new key. Other attributes supported by the key type (specifically, the flags indicating which functions the key supports) may be specified in the template for the key, or else are assigned default initial values.

When DES keys or CDMF keys are generated, their parity bits are set properly, as specified in FIPS PUB 46-3. Similarly, when a triple-DES key is generated, each of the DES keys comprising it has its parity bits set properly.

When DES or CDMF keys are generated, it is token-dependent whether or not it is possible for "weak" or "semi-weak" keys to be generated. Similarly, when triple-DES keys are generated, it is token dependent whether or not it is possible for any of the component DES keys to be "weak" or "semi-weak" keys.

When CAST, CAST3, or CAST128 (CAST5) keys are generated, the template for the secret key must specify a CKA_VALUE_LEN attribute.

For this mechanism, the ulMinKeySize and ulMaxKeySize fields of the CK_MECHANISM_INFO structure may or may not be used. The CAST, CAST3, and CAST128 (CAST5) ciphers have variable key sizes, and so for the key generation mechanisms for these ciphers, the ulMinKeySize and ulMaxKeySize fields of the CK_MECHANISM_INFO structure specify the supported range of key sizes, in bytes. For the DES, DES3 (triple-DES), IDEA, and CDMF ciphers, these fields are not used.


RSA Security Inc. Public-Key Cryptography Standards - PKCS#11 - v220