Cryptographic Token Interface Standard

PKCS#11


Double-length DES key generation

The double-length DES key generation mechanism, denoted CKM_DES2_KEY_GEN, is a key generation mechanism for double-length DES keys. The DES keys making up a double-length DES key both have their parity bits set properly, as specified in FIPS PUB 46-3.

It 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 double-length DES 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.

Double-length DES keys can be used with all the same mechanisms as triple-DES keys: CKM_DES3_ECB, CKM_DES3_CBC, CKM_DES3_CBC_PAD, CKM_DES3_MAC_GENERAL, and CKM_DES3_MAC (these mechanisms are described in templatized form in Section 12.13. Triple-DES encryption with a double-length DES key is equivalent to encryption with a triple-length DES key with K1=K3 as specified in FIPS PUB 46-3.

When double-length DES keys are generated, it is token-dependent whether or not it is possible for either of the component DES keys to be "weak" or "semi-weak" keys.


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