On the pseudo-random generator ISAAC

Jean-Philippe Aumasson

Paper 2006/438

On the pseudo-random generator ISAAC

Jean-Philippe Aumasson

Abstract

This paper presents some properties of he deterministic random bit generator ISAAC (FSE'96), contradicting several statements of its introducing article. In particular, it characterizes huge subsets of internal states which induce a strongly non-uniform distribution in the $8\,192$ first bits produced. A previous attack on ISAAC presented at Asiacrypt'06 by Paul and Preneel is demonstrated to be non relevant, since relies on an erroneous algorithm. Finally, a modification of the algorithm is proposed to fix the weaknesses discovered.

Metadata

Available format(s): PDF PS
Publication info: Published elsewhere. Unknown where it was published
Keywords: pseudo-random generator
Contact author(s): jeanphilippe aumasson @ fhnw ch
History: 2007-01-03: last of 3 revisions; 2006-11-24: received; See all versions
Short URL: https://ia.cr/2006/438
License: CC BY

BibTeX

@misc{cryptoeprint:2006/438,
      author = {Jean-Philippe Aumasson},
      title = {On the pseudo-random generator {ISAAC}},
      howpublished = {Cryptology {ePrint} Archive, Paper 2006/438},
      year = {2006},
      url = {https://eprint.iacr.org/2006/438}
}