libp2p / libp2p/specs

multihash security proofs

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Description

Are there any security proofs for multihash or similar constructs? I'd think the results would say roughly that, for some desirable hash function properties, multihash is not-too-unlike a hash function satisfying the weakest version of that property among satisfied by any of the hash functions with which it can be instantiated.

As stated this is false of course, there are countless protocols for which substituting multihash as if it were as hash function will break the protocol, like anything that requires uniqueness, but probably far more. It's worth writing down a general setting in which multihash is not inherently broken though, maybe including signature scheme requirements.

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Research direction

No files, tests, or entry points are identified in the issue. Begin by surveying security proofs for multihash and related constructs, then define a precise setting and determine which hash-function or signature properties can be preserved; done means documenting a defensible general result and its limitations.

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Assessment

Domain
cryptography
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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