Enhancing cryptographic robustness with dual key chaining

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce an advanced mode of operation for block ciphers, named Dual Key Chaining Mode (DKC), aimed at bolstering cryptographic security for safeguarding sensitive information. Building upon the foundations laid by established modes while adhering to guidelines set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), DKC innovates through a dual-key mechanism and the generation of highly unpredictable values. This novel approach markedly enhances security, particularly against chosen plaintext attacks, a common vulnerability in traditional modes. Through rigorous mathematical analysis, we demonstrate DKC’s superiority, proving its indistinguishability under chosen plaintext attacks (IND-CPA) and showing that an adversary cannot practically distinguish DKC-encrypted ciphertexts from those produced by a random permutation. Our security proof employs a structured approach, contrasting DKC with conventional modes to highlight its robust defense mechanisms and its capacity to mitigate error propagation, reduce chain dependency, and resist pattern recognition attacks. The DKC mode not only surpasses existing standards in cryptographic security but also offers significant improvements in efficiency and security complexity, making it particularly suited for environments demanding stringent data protection. This study’s findings underscore DKC’s potential as a leading candidate for securing communication channels, financial transactions, and cloud storage services against an array of cryptographic attacks.