openssl / openssl/openssl

Raise the minimum RSA modulus size to 1024 bits.

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#25,092 4 comments 10 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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branch: master triaged: feature
Dominant language
C
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Description

The first publicly known instance of a 512 bit RSA modulus being factored was in 1999.

In 2009, an individual cracked a 512 bit RSA modulus by themself with a single PC.

The "Factoring as a Service" paper, showing that such keys could be broken in a few hours for tens of dollars, came out in 2015.

In 2018, OpenSSL v1.1.1 set its minimum RSA modulus size to 512 bits. This is still the minimum as of OpenSSL v3.3.1.

People still use 512 bit RSA keys without realizing that they're catastrophically weak.

This should be easy to stop.

I propose the following deprecation stages:

  1. OpenSSL limits RSA key generation to a minimum of 1024 bits, but still allows such keys to be loaded/used.
  2. OpenSSL drops support for verifying signatures for RSA keys smaller than 1024 bits.
  3. OpenSSL fully drops support for RSA keys smaller than 1024 bits.

A more conservative approach could temporarily include an option in openssl.conf to temporarily re-enable dangerously weak keys while systems are updated.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

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

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by reviewing the three proposed deprecation stages and the RSA key-generation, loading, and signature-verification areas they would affect; done requires an agreed implementation plan for the 1024-bit minimum and any compatibility option.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c
Domain
cryptography, security
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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