libp2p / libp2p/specs

Hybrid post-quantum Noise handshake (X25519 + ML-KEM-768)

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Description

### Why
`/noise` is classical X25519, so recorded sessions are open to harvest-now-decrypt-later. A hybrid KEM closes that, and stays secure if either primitive holds.

### Proposal
A new, separately negotiated handshake (not a change to `/noise`), keeping the spec's "one id, one fixed suite" design:

- id: `/noise-mlkem768-hfs/0.1.0` (provisional)
- suite: `Noise_XXhfs_25519+ML-KEM-768_ChaChaPoly_SHA256`. XX with [Hybrid Forward Secrecy](https://github.com/noiseprotocol/noise_wiki/wiki/Hybrid-Forward-Secrecy); ML-KEM-768 (FIPS 203) mixed into the chain alongside the X25519 DHs.

Identity payload and signature are unchanged. Authentication stays classical (it cannot be broken retroactively); only confidentiality is HNDL-sensitive.

Implementations advertise the hybrid id ahead of `/noise`, so a mixed fleet falls back with no flag day.

### Reference impl
Working in Rust: libp2p/rust-libp2p#6481 over mcginty/snow#210. Revives #2168.

### To pin for interop
1. Protocol id string.
2. Exact HFS token placement and KDF mixing order, with KATs, so go/js/rust agree byte for byte.
3. ML-KEM-768 only, or the 512/768/1024 family?

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the existing /noise handshake specification and the referenced rust-libp2p#6481 and snow#210 implementations. Review the open interop decisions around the protocol id, HFS token placement, KDF mixing order, KATs, and ML-KEM parameter scope; done means those choices are pinned for byte-for-byte agreement across implementations.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
cryptography, networking
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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