7 Network Working Group J. Callas
8 Request for Comments: 4880 PGP Corporation
9 Obsoletes: 1991, 2440 L. Donnerhacke
10 Category: Standards Track IKS GmbH
18 OpenPGP Message Format
22 This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
23 Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
24 improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
25 Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
26 and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
30 This document is maintained in order to publish all necessary
31 information needed to develop interoperable applications based on the
32 OpenPGP format. It is not a step-by-step cookbook for writing an
33 application. It describes only the format and methods needed to
34 read, check, generate, and write conforming packets crossing any
35 network. It does not deal with storage and implementation questions.
36 It does, however, discuss implementation issues necessary to avoid
39 OpenPGP software uses a combination of strong public-key and
40 symmetric cryptography to provide security services for electronic
41 communications and data storage. These services include
42 confidentiality, key management, authentication, and digital
43 signatures. This document specifies the message formats used in
58 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 1]
60 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
65 1. Introduction ....................................................5
66 1.1. Terms ......................................................5
67 2. General functions ...............................................6
68 2.1. Confidentiality via Encryption .............................6
69 2.2. Authentication via Digital Signature .......................7
70 2.3. Compression ................................................7
71 2.4. Conversion to Radix-64 .....................................8
72 2.5. Signature-Only Applications ................................8
73 3. Data Element Formats ............................................8
74 3.1. Scalar Numbers .............................................8
75 3.2. Multiprecision Integers ....................................9
76 3.3. Key IDs ....................................................9
77 3.4. Text .......................................................9
78 3.5. Time Fields ...............................................10
79 3.6. Keyrings ..................................................10
80 3.7. String-to-Key (S2K) Specifiers ............................10
81 3.7.1. String-to-Key (S2K) Specifier Types ................10
82 3.7.1.1. Simple S2K ................................10
83 3.7.1.2. Salted S2K ................................11
84 3.7.1.3. Iterated and Salted S2K ...................11
85 3.7.2. String-to-Key Usage ................................12
86 3.7.2.1. Secret-Key Encryption .....................12
87 3.7.2.2. Symmetric-Key Message Encryption ..........13
88 4. Packet Syntax ..................................................13
89 4.1. Overview ..................................................13
90 4.2. Packet Headers ............................................13
91 4.2.1. Old Format Packet Lengths ..........................14
92 4.2.2. New Format Packet Lengths ..........................15
93 4.2.2.1. One-Octet Lengths .........................15
94 4.2.2.2. Two-Octet Lengths .........................15
95 4.2.2.3. Five-Octet Lengths ........................15
96 4.2.2.4. Partial Body Lengths ......................16
97 4.2.3. Packet Length Examples .............................16
98 4.3. Packet Tags ...............................................17
99 5. Packet Types ...................................................17
100 5.1. Public-Key Encrypted Session Key Packets (Tag 1) ..........17
101 5.2. Signature Packet (Tag 2) ..................................19
102 5.2.1. Signature Types ....................................19
103 5.2.2. Version 3 Signature Packet Format ..................21
104 5.2.3. Version 4 Signature Packet Format ..................24
105 5.2.3.1. Signature Subpacket Specification .........25
106 5.2.3.2. Signature Subpacket Types .................27
107 5.2.3.3. Notes on Self-Signatures ..................27
108 5.2.3.4. Signature Creation Time ...................28
109 5.2.3.5. Issuer ....................................28
110 5.2.3.6. Key Expiration Time .......................28
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116 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
119 5.2.3.7. Preferred Symmetric Algorithms ............28
120 5.2.3.8. Preferred Hash Algorithms .................29
121 5.2.3.9. Preferred Compression Algorithms ..........29
122 5.2.3.10. Signature Expiration Time ................29
123 5.2.3.11. Exportable Certification .................29
124 5.2.3.12. Revocable ................................30
125 5.2.3.13. Trust Signature ..........................30
126 5.2.3.14. Regular Expression .......................31
127 5.2.3.15. Revocation Key ...........................31
128 5.2.3.16. Notation Data ............................31
129 5.2.3.17. Key Server Preferences ...................32
130 5.2.3.18. Preferred Key Server .....................33
131 5.2.3.19. Primary User ID ..........................33
132 5.2.3.20. Policy URI ...............................33
133 5.2.3.21. Key Flags ................................33
134 5.2.3.22. Signer's User ID .........................34
135 5.2.3.23. Reason for Revocation ....................35
136 5.2.3.24. Features .................................36
137 5.2.3.25. Signature Target .........................36
138 5.2.3.26. Embedded Signature .......................37
139 5.2.4. Computing Signatures ...............................37
140 5.2.4.1. Subpacket Hints ...........................38
141 5.3. Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key Packets (Tag 3) .......38
142 5.4. One-Pass Signature Packets (Tag 4) ........................39
143 5.5. Key Material Packet .......................................40
144 5.5.1. Key Packet Variants ................................40
145 5.5.1.1. Public-Key Packet (Tag 6) .................40
146 5.5.1.2. Public-Subkey Packet (Tag 14) .............40
147 5.5.1.3. Secret-Key Packet (Tag 5) .................41
148 5.5.1.4. Secret-Subkey Packet (Tag 7) ..............41
149 5.5.2. Public-Key Packet Formats ..........................41
150 5.5.3. Secret-Key Packet Formats ..........................43
151 5.6. Compressed Data Packet (Tag 8) ............................45
152 5.7. Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet (Tag 9) ...............45
153 5.8. Marker Packet (Obsolete Literal Packet) (Tag 10) ..........46
154 5.9. Literal Data Packet (Tag 11) ..............................46
155 5.10. Trust Packet (Tag 12) ....................................47
156 5.11. User ID Packet (Tag 13) ..................................48
157 5.12. User Attribute Packet (Tag 17) ...........................48
158 5.12.1. The Image Attribute Subpacket .....................48
159 5.13. Sym. Encrypted Integrity Protected Data Packet (Tag 18) ..49
160 5.14. Modification Detection Code Packet (Tag 19) ..............52
161 6. Radix-64 Conversions ...........................................53
162 6.1. An Implementation of the CRC-24 in "C" ....................54
163 6.2. Forming ASCII Armor .......................................54
164 6.3. Encoding Binary in Radix-64 ...............................57
165 6.4. Decoding Radix-64 .........................................58
166 6.5. Examples of Radix-64 ......................................59
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172 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
175 6.6. Example of an ASCII Armored Message .......................59
176 7. Cleartext Signature Framework ..................................59
177 7.1. Dash-Escaped Text .........................................60
178 8. Regular Expressions ............................................61
179 9. Constants ......................................................61
180 9.1. Public-Key Algorithms .....................................62
181 9.2. Symmetric-Key Algorithms ..................................62
182 9.3. Compression Algorithms ....................................63
183 9.4. Hash Algorithms ...........................................63
184 10. IANA Considerations ...........................................63
185 10.1. New String-to-Key Specifier Types ........................64
186 10.2. New Packets ..............................................64
187 10.2.1. User Attribute Types ..............................64
188 10.2.1.1. Image Format Subpacket Types .............64
189 10.2.2. New Signature Subpackets ..........................64
190 10.2.2.1. Signature Notation Data Subpackets .......65
191 10.2.2.2. Key Server Preference Extensions .........65
192 10.2.2.3. Key Flags Extensions .....................65
193 10.2.2.4. Reason For Revocation Extensions .........65
194 10.2.2.5. Implementation Features ..................66
195 10.2.3. New Packet Versions ...............................66
196 10.3. New Algorithms ...........................................66
197 10.3.1. Public-Key Algorithms .............................66
198 10.3.2. Symmetric-Key Algorithms ..........................67
199 10.3.3. Hash Algorithms ...................................67
200 10.3.4. Compression Algorithms ............................67
201 11. Packet Composition ............................................67
202 11.1. Transferable Public Keys .................................67
203 11.2. Transferable Secret Keys .................................69
204 11.3. OpenPGP Messages .........................................69
205 11.4. Detached Signatures ......................................70
206 12. Enhanced Key Formats ..........................................70
207 12.1. Key Structures ...........................................70
208 12.2. Key IDs and Fingerprints .................................71
209 13. Notes on Algorithms ...........................................72
210 13.1. PKCS#1 Encoding in OpenPGP ...............................72
211 13.1.1. EME-PKCS1-v1_5-ENCODE .............................73
212 13.1.2. EME-PKCS1-v1_5-DECODE .............................73
213 13.1.3. EMSA-PKCS1-v1_5 ...................................74
214 13.2. Symmetric Algorithm Preferences ..........................75
215 13.3. Other Algorithm Preferences ..............................76
216 13.3.1. Compression Preferences ...........................76
217 13.3.2. Hash Algorithm Preferences ........................76
218 13.4. Plaintext ................................................77
219 13.5. RSA ......................................................77
220 13.6. DSA ......................................................77
221 13.7. Elgamal ..................................................78
222 13.8. Reserved Algorithm Numbers ...............................78
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228 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
231 13.9. OpenPGP CFB Mode .........................................78
232 13.10. Private or Experimental Parameters ......................79
233 13.11. Extension of the MDC System .............................80
234 13.12. Meta-Considerations for Expansion .......................80
235 14. Security Considerations .......................................81
236 15. Implementation Nits ...........................................84
237 16. References ....................................................86
238 16.1. Normative References .....................................86
239 16.2. Informative References ...................................88
243 This document provides information on the message-exchange packet
244 formats used by OpenPGP to provide encryption, decryption, signing,
245 and key management functions. It is a revision of RFC 2440, "OpenPGP
246 Message Format", which itself replaces RFC 1991, "PGP Message
247 Exchange Formats" [RFC1991] [RFC2440].
251 * OpenPGP - This is a term for security software that uses PGP 5.x
252 as a basis, formalized in RFC 2440 and this document.
254 * PGP - Pretty Good Privacy. PGP is a family of software systems
255 developed by Philip R. Zimmermann from which OpenPGP is based.
257 * PGP 2.6.x - This version of PGP has many variants, hence the term
258 PGP 2.6.x. It used only RSA, MD5, and IDEA for its cryptographic
259 transforms. An informational RFC, RFC 1991, was written
260 describing this version of PGP.
262 * PGP 5.x - This version of PGP is formerly known as "PGP 3" in the
263 community and also in the predecessor of this document, RFC 1991.
264 It has new formats and corrects a number of problems in the PGP
265 2.6.x design. It is referred to here as PGP 5.x because that
266 software was the first release of the "PGP 3" code base.
268 * GnuPG - GNU Privacy Guard, also called GPG. GnuPG is an OpenPGP
269 implementation that avoids all encumbered algorithms.
270 Consequently, early versions of GnuPG did not include RSA public
271 keys. GnuPG may or may not have (depending on version) support
272 for IDEA or other encumbered algorithms.
274 "PGP", "Pretty Good", and "Pretty Good Privacy" are trademarks of PGP
275 Corporation and are used with permission. The term "OpenPGP" refers
276 to the protocol described in this and related documents.
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284 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
287 The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
288 "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
289 document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119].
291 The key words "PRIVATE USE", "HIERARCHICAL ALLOCATION", "FIRST COME
292 FIRST SERVED", "EXPERT REVIEW", "SPECIFICATION REQUIRED", "IESG
293 APPROVAL", "IETF CONSENSUS", and "STANDARDS ACTION" that appear in
294 this document when used to describe namespace allocation are to be
295 interpreted as described in [RFC2434].
299 OpenPGP provides data integrity services for messages and data files
300 by using these core technologies:
308 - Radix-64 conversion
310 In addition, OpenPGP provides key management and certificate
311 services, but many of these are beyond the scope of this document.
313 2.1. Confidentiality via Encryption
315 OpenPGP combines symmetric-key encryption and public-key encryption
316 to provide confidentiality. When made confidential, first the object
317 is encrypted using a symmetric encryption algorithm. Each symmetric
318 key is used only once, for a single object. A new "session key" is
319 generated as a random number for each object (sometimes referred to
320 as a session). Since it is used only once, the session key is bound
321 to the message and transmitted with it. To protect the key, it is
322 encrypted with the receiver's public key. The sequence is as
325 1. The sender creates a message.
327 2. The sending OpenPGP generates a random number to be used as a
328 session key for this message only.
330 3. The session key is encrypted using each recipient's public key.
331 These "encrypted session keys" start the message.
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340 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
343 4. The sending OpenPGP encrypts the message using the session key,
344 which forms the remainder of the message. Note that the message
345 is also usually compressed.
347 5. The receiving OpenPGP decrypts the session key using the
348 recipient's private key.
350 6. The receiving OpenPGP decrypts the message using the session key.
351 If the message was compressed, it will be decompressed.
353 With symmetric-key encryption, an object may be encrypted with a
354 symmetric key derived from a passphrase (or other shared secret), or
355 a two-stage mechanism similar to the public-key method described
356 above in which a session key is itself encrypted with a symmetric
357 algorithm keyed from a shared secret.
359 Both digital signature and confidentiality services may be applied to
360 the same message. First, a signature is generated for the message
361 and attached to the message. Then the message plus signature is
362 encrypted using a symmetric session key. Finally, the session key is
363 encrypted using public-key encryption and prefixed to the encrypted
366 2.2. Authentication via Digital Signature
368 The digital signature uses a hash code or message digest algorithm,
369 and a public-key signature algorithm. The sequence is as follows:
371 1. The sender creates a message.
373 2. The sending software generates a hash code of the message.
375 3. The sending software generates a signature from the hash code
376 using the sender's private key.
378 4. The binary signature is attached to the message.
380 5. The receiving software keeps a copy of the message signature.
382 6. The receiving software generates a new hash code for the received
383 message and verifies it using the message's signature. If the
384 verification is successful, the message is accepted as authentic.
388 OpenPGP implementations SHOULD compress the message after applying
389 the signature but before encryption.
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396 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
399 If an implementation does not implement compression, its authors
400 should be aware that most OpenPGP messages in the world are
401 compressed. Thus, it may even be wise for a space-constrained
402 implementation to implement decompression, but not compression.
404 Furthermore, compression has the added side effect that some types of
405 attacks can be thwarted by the fact that slightly altered, compressed
406 data rarely uncompresses without severe errors. This is hardly
407 rigorous, but it is operationally useful. These attacks can be
408 rigorously prevented by implementing and using Modification Detection
409 Codes as described in sections following.
411 2.4. Conversion to Radix-64
413 OpenPGP's underlying native representation for encrypted messages,
414 signature certificates, and keys is a stream of arbitrary octets.
415 Some systems only permit the use of blocks consisting of seven-bit,
416 printable text. For transporting OpenPGP's native raw binary octets
417 through channels that are not safe to raw binary data, a printable
418 encoding of these binary octets is needed. OpenPGP provides the
419 service of converting the raw 8-bit binary octet stream to a stream
420 of printable ASCII characters, called Radix-64 encoding or ASCII
423 Implementations SHOULD provide Radix-64 conversions.
425 2.5. Signature-Only Applications
427 OpenPGP is designed for applications that use both encryption and
428 signatures, but there are a number of problems that are solved by a
429 signature-only implementation. Although this specification requires
430 both encryption and signatures, it is reasonable for there to be
431 subset implementations that are non-conformant only in that they omit
434 3. Data Element Formats
436 This section describes the data elements used by OpenPGP.
440 Scalar numbers are unsigned and are always stored in big-endian
441 format. Using n[k] to refer to the kth octet being interpreted, the
442 value of a two-octet scalar is ((n[0] << 8) + n[1]). The value of a
443 four-octet scalar is ((n[0] << 24) + (n[1] << 16) + (n[2] << 8) +
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452 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
455 3.2. Multiprecision Integers
457 Multiprecision integers (also called MPIs) are unsigned integers used
458 to hold large integers such as the ones used in cryptographic
461 An MPI consists of two pieces: a two-octet scalar that is the length
462 of the MPI in bits followed by a string of octets that contain the
465 These octets form a big-endian number; a big-endian number can be
466 made into an MPI by prefixing it with the appropriate length.
470 (all numbers are in hexadecimal)
472 The string of octets [00 01 01] forms an MPI with the value 1. The
473 string [00 09 01 FF] forms an MPI with the value of 511.
477 The size of an MPI is ((MPI.length + 7) / 8) + 2 octets.
479 The length field of an MPI describes the length starting from its
480 most significant non-zero bit. Thus, the MPI [00 02 01] is not
481 formed correctly. It should be [00 01 01].
483 Unused bits of an MPI MUST be zero.
485 Also note that when an MPI is encrypted, the length refers to the
486 plaintext MPI. It may be ill-formed in its ciphertext.
490 A Key ID is an eight-octet scalar that identifies a key.
491 Implementations SHOULD NOT assume that Key IDs are unique. The
492 section "Enhanced Key Formats" below describes how Key IDs are
497 Unless otherwise specified, the character set for text is the UTF-8
498 [RFC3629] encoding of Unicode [ISO10646].
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508 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
513 A time field is an unsigned four-octet number containing the number
514 of seconds elapsed since midnight, 1 January 1970 UTC.
518 A keyring is a collection of one or more keys in a file or database.
519 Traditionally, a keyring is simply a sequential list of keys, but may
520 be any suitable database. It is beyond the scope of this standard to
521 discuss the details of keyrings or other databases.
523 3.7. String-to-Key (S2K) Specifiers
525 String-to-key (S2K) specifiers are used to convert passphrase strings
526 into symmetric-key encryption/decryption keys. They are used in two
527 places, currently: to encrypt the secret part of private keys in the
528 private keyring, and to convert passphrases to encryption keys for
529 symmetrically encrypted messages.
531 3.7.1. String-to-Key (S2K) Specifier Types
533 There are three types of S2K specifiers currently supported, and
534 some reserved values:
541 3 Iterated and Salted S2K
542 100 to 110 Private/Experimental S2K
544 These are described in Sections 3.7.1.1 - 3.7.1.3.
548 This directly hashes the string to produce the key data. See below
549 for how this hashing is done.
552 Octet 1: hash algorithm
554 Simple S2K hashes the passphrase to produce the session key. The
555 manner in which this is done depends on the size of the session key
556 (which will depend on the cipher used) and the size of the hash
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564 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
567 algorithm's output. If the hash size is greater than the session key
568 size, the high-order (leftmost) octets of the hash are used as the
571 If the hash size is less than the key size, multiple instances of the
572 hash context are created -- enough to produce the required key data.
573 These instances are preloaded with 0, 1, 2, ... octets of zeros (that
574 is to say, the first instance has no preloading, the second gets
575 preloaded with 1 octet of zero, the third is preloaded with two
576 octets of zeros, and so forth).
578 As the data is hashed, it is given independently to each hash
579 context. Since the contexts have been initialized differently, they
580 will each produce different hash output. Once the passphrase is
581 hashed, the output data from the multiple hashes is concatenated,
582 first hash leftmost, to produce the key data, with any excess octets
583 on the right discarded.
587 This includes a "salt" value in the S2K specifier -- some arbitrary
588 data -- that gets hashed along with the passphrase string, to help
589 prevent dictionary attacks.
592 Octet 1: hash algorithm
593 Octets 2-9: 8-octet salt value
595 Salted S2K is exactly like Simple S2K, except that the input to the
596 hash function(s) consists of the 8 octets of salt from the S2K
597 specifier, followed by the passphrase.
599 3.7.1.3. Iterated and Salted S2K
601 This includes both a salt and an octet count. The salt is combined
602 with the passphrase and the resulting value is hashed repeatedly.
603 This further increases the amount of work an attacker must do to try
607 Octet 1: hash algorithm
608 Octets 2-9: 8-octet salt value
609 Octet 10: count, a one-octet, coded value
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620 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
623 The count is coded into a one-octet number using the following
627 count = ((Int32)16 + (c & 15)) << ((c >> 4) + EXPBIAS);
629 The above formula is in C, where "Int32" is a type for a 32-bit
630 integer, and the variable "c" is the coded count, Octet 10.
632 Iterated-Salted S2K hashes the passphrase and salt data multiple
633 times. The total number of octets to be hashed is specified in the
634 encoded count in the S2K specifier. Note that the resulting count
635 value is an octet count of how many octets will be hashed, not an
638 Initially, one or more hash contexts are set up as with the other S2K
639 algorithms, depending on how many octets of key data are needed.
640 Then the salt, followed by the passphrase data, is repeatedly hashed
641 until the number of octets specified by the octet count has been
642 hashed. The one exception is that if the octet count is less than
643 the size of the salt plus passphrase, the full salt plus passphrase
644 will be hashed even though that is greater than the octet count.
645 After the hashing is done, the data is unloaded from the hash
646 context(s) as with the other S2K algorithms.
648 3.7.2. String-to-Key Usage
650 Implementations SHOULD use salted or iterated-and-salted S2K
651 specifiers, as simple S2K specifiers are more vulnerable to
654 3.7.2.1. Secret-Key Encryption
656 An S2K specifier can be stored in the secret keyring to specify how
657 to convert the passphrase to a key that unlocks the secret data.
658 Older versions of PGP just stored a cipher algorithm octet preceding
659 the secret data or a zero to indicate that the secret data was
660 unencrypted. The MD5 hash function was always used to convert the
661 passphrase to a key for the specified cipher algorithm.
663 For compatibility, when an S2K specifier is used, the special value
664 254 or 255 is stored in the position where the hash algorithm octet
665 would have been in the old data structure. This is then followed
666 immediately by a one-octet algorithm identifier, and then by the S2K
667 specifier as encoded above.
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679 Therefore, preceding the secret data there will be one of these
682 0: secret data is unencrypted (no passphrase)
683 255 or 254: followed by algorithm octet and S2K specifier
684 Cipher alg: use Simple S2K algorithm using MD5 hash
686 This last possibility, the cipher algorithm number with an implicit
687 use of MD5 and IDEA, is provided for backward compatibility; it MAY
688 be understood, but SHOULD NOT be generated, and is deprecated.
690 These are followed by an Initial Vector of the same length as the
691 block size of the cipher for the decryption of the secret values, if
692 they are encrypted, and then the secret-key values themselves.
694 3.7.2.2. Symmetric-Key Message Encryption
696 OpenPGP can create a Symmetric-key Encrypted Session Key (ESK) packet
697 at the front of a message. This is used to allow S2K specifiers to
698 be used for the passphrase conversion or to create messages with a
699 mix of symmetric-key ESKs and public-key ESKs. This allows a message
700 to be decrypted either with a passphrase or a public-key pair.
702 PGP 2.X always used IDEA with Simple string-to-key conversion when
703 encrypting a message with a symmetric algorithm. This is deprecated,
704 but MAY be used for backward-compatibility.
708 This section describes the packets used by OpenPGP.
712 An OpenPGP message is constructed from a number of records that are
713 traditionally called packets. A packet is a chunk of data that has a
714 tag specifying its meaning. An OpenPGP message, keyring,
715 certificate, and so forth consists of a number of packets. Some of
716 those packets may contain other OpenPGP packets (for example, a
717 compressed data packet, when uncompressed, contains OpenPGP packets).
719 Each packet consists of a packet header, followed by the packet body.
720 The packet header is of variable length.
724 The first octet of the packet header is called the "Packet Tag". It
725 determines the format of the header and denotes the packet contents.
726 The remainder of the packet header is the length of the packet.
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732 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
735 Note that the most significant bit is the leftmost bit, called bit 7.
736 A mask for this bit is 0x80 in hexadecimal.
739 PTag |7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0|
742 Bit 6 -- New packet format if set
744 PGP 2.6.x only uses old format packets. Thus, software that
745 interoperates with those versions of PGP must only use old format
746 packets. If interoperability is not an issue, the new packet format
747 is RECOMMENDED. Note that old format packets have four bits of
748 packet tags, and new format packets have six; some features cannot be
749 used and still be backward-compatible.
751 Also note that packets with a tag greater than or equal to 16 MUST
752 use new format packets. The old format packets can only express tags
753 less than or equal to 15.
755 Old format packets contain:
757 Bits 5-2 -- packet tag
758 Bits 1-0 -- length-type
760 New format packets contain:
762 Bits 5-0 -- packet tag
764 4.2.1. Old Format Packet Lengths
766 The meaning of the length-type in old format packets is:
768 0 - The packet has a one-octet length. The header is 2 octets long.
770 1 - The packet has a two-octet length. The header is 3 octets long.
772 2 - The packet has a four-octet length. The header is 5 octets long.
774 3 - The packet is of indeterminate length. The header is 1 octet
775 long, and the implementation must determine how long the packet
776 is. If the packet is in a file, this means that the packet
777 extends until the end of the file. In general, an implementation
778 SHOULD NOT use indeterminate-length packets except where the end
779 of the data will be clear from the context, and even then it is
780 better to use a definite length, or a new format header. The new
781 format headers described below have a mechanism for precisely
782 encoding data of indeterminate length.
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788 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
791 4.2.2. New Format Packet Lengths
793 New format packets have four possible ways of encoding length:
795 1. A one-octet Body Length header encodes packet lengths of up to 191
798 2. A two-octet Body Length header encodes packet lengths of 192 to
801 3. A five-octet Body Length header encodes packet lengths of up to
802 4,294,967,295 (0xFFFFFFFF) octets in length. (This actually
803 encodes a four-octet scalar number.)
805 4. When the length of the packet body is not known in advance by the
806 issuer, Partial Body Length headers encode a packet of
807 indeterminate length, effectively making it a stream.
809 4.2.2.1. One-Octet Lengths
811 A one-octet Body Length header encodes a length of 0 to 191 octets.
812 This type of length header is recognized because the one octet value
813 is less than 192. The body length is equal to:
817 4.2.2.2. Two-Octet Lengths
819 A two-octet Body Length header encodes a length of 192 to 8383
820 octets. It is recognized because its first octet is in the range 192
821 to 223. The body length is equal to:
823 bodyLen = ((1st_octet - 192) << 8) + (2nd_octet) + 192
825 4.2.2.3. Five-Octet Lengths
827 A five-octet Body Length header consists of a single octet holding
828 the value 255, followed by a four-octet scalar. The body length is
831 bodyLen = (2nd_octet << 24) | (3rd_octet << 16) |
832 (4th_octet << 8) | 5th_octet
834 This basic set of one, two, and five-octet lengths is also used
835 internally to some packets.
842 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 15]
844 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
847 4.2.2.4. Partial Body Lengths
849 A Partial Body Length header is one octet long and encodes the length
850 of only part of the data packet. This length is a power of 2, from 1
851 to 1,073,741,824 (2 to the 30th power). It is recognized by its one
852 octet value that is greater than or equal to 224, and less than 255.
853 The Partial Body Length is equal to:
855 partialBodyLen = 1 << (1st_octet & 0x1F);
857 Each Partial Body Length header is followed by a portion of the
858 packet body data. The Partial Body Length header specifies this
859 portion's length. Another length header (one octet, two-octet,
860 five-octet, or partial) follows that portion. The last length header
861 in the packet MUST NOT be a Partial Body Length header. Partial Body
862 Length headers may only be used for the non-final parts of the
865 Note also that the last Body Length header can be a zero-length
868 An implementation MAY use Partial Body Lengths for data packets, be
869 they literal, compressed, or encrypted. The first partial length
870 MUST be at least 512 octets long. Partial Body Lengths MUST NOT be
871 used for any other packet types.
873 4.2.3. Packet Length Examples
875 These examples show ways that new format packets might encode the
878 A packet with length 100 may have its length encoded in one octet:
879 0x64. This is followed by 100 octets of data.
881 A packet with length 1723 may have its length encoded in two octets:
882 0xC5, 0xFB. This header is followed by the 1723 octets of data.
884 A packet with length 100000 may have its length encoded in five
885 octets: 0xFF, 0x00, 0x01, 0x86, 0xA0.
887 It might also be encoded in the following octet stream: 0xEF, first
888 32768 octets of data; 0xE1, next two octets of data; 0xE0, next one
889 octet of data; 0xF0, next 65536 octets of data; 0xC5, 0xDD, last 1693
890 octets of data. This is just one possible encoding, and many
891 variations are possible on the size of the Partial Body Length
892 headers, as long as a regular Body Length header encodes the last
898 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 16]
900 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
903 Please note that in all of these explanations, the total length of
904 the packet is the length of the header(s) plus the length of the
909 The packet tag denotes what type of packet the body holds. Note that
910 old format headers can only have tags less than 16, whereas new
911 format headers can have tags as great as 63. The defined tags (in
912 decimal) are as follows:
914 0 -- Reserved - a packet tag MUST NOT have this value
915 1 -- Public-Key Encrypted Session Key Packet
916 2 -- Signature Packet
917 3 -- Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key Packet
918 4 -- One-Pass Signature Packet
919 5 -- Secret-Key Packet
920 6 -- Public-Key Packet
921 7 -- Secret-Subkey Packet
922 8 -- Compressed Data Packet
923 9 -- Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet
925 11 -- Literal Data Packet
928 14 -- Public-Subkey Packet
929 17 -- User Attribute Packet
930 18 -- Sym. Encrypted and Integrity Protected Data Packet
931 19 -- Modification Detection Code Packet
932 60 to 63 -- Private or Experimental Values
936 5.1. Public-Key Encrypted Session Key Packets (Tag 1)
938 A Public-Key Encrypted Session Key packet holds the session key used
939 to encrypt a message. Zero or more Public-Key Encrypted Session Key
940 packets and/or Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packets may
941 precede a Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet, which holds an
942 encrypted message. The message is encrypted with the session key,
943 and the session key is itself encrypted and stored in the Encrypted
944 Session Key packet(s). The Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet is
945 preceded by one Public-Key Encrypted Session Key packet for each
946 OpenPGP key to which the message is encrypted. The recipient of the
947 message finds a session key that is encrypted to their public key,
948 decrypts the session key, and then uses the session key to decrypt
954 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 17]
956 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
959 The body of this packet consists of:
961 - A one-octet number giving the version number of the packet type.
962 The currently defined value for packet version is 3.
964 - An eight-octet number that gives the Key ID of the public key to
965 which the session key is encrypted. If the session key is
966 encrypted to a subkey, then the Key ID of this subkey is used
967 here instead of the Key ID of the primary key.
969 - A one-octet number giving the public-key algorithm used.
971 - A string of octets that is the encrypted session key. This
972 string takes up the remainder of the packet, and its contents are
973 dependent on the public-key algorithm used.
975 Algorithm Specific Fields for RSA encryption
977 - multiprecision integer (MPI) of RSA encrypted value m**e mod n.
979 Algorithm Specific Fields for Elgamal encryption:
981 - MPI of Elgamal (Diffie-Hellman) value g**k mod p.
983 - MPI of Elgamal (Diffie-Hellman) value m * y**k mod p.
985 The value "m" in the above formulas is derived from the session key
986 as follows. First, the session key is prefixed with a one-octet
987 algorithm identifier that specifies the symmetric encryption
988 algorithm used to encrypt the following Symmetrically Encrypted Data
989 Packet. Then a two-octet checksum is appended, which is equal to the
990 sum of the preceding session key octets, not including the algorithm
991 identifier, modulo 65536. This value is then encoded as described in
992 PKCS#1 block encoding EME-PKCS1-v1_5 in Section 7.2.1 of [RFC3447] to
993 form the "m" value used in the formulas above. See Section 13.1 of
994 this document for notes on OpenPGP's use of PKCS#1.
996 Note that when an implementation forms several PKESKs with one
997 session key, forming a message that can be decrypted by several keys,
998 the implementation MUST make a new PKCS#1 encoding for each key.
1000 An implementation MAY accept or use a Key ID of zero as a "wild card"
1001 or "speculative" Key ID. In this case, the receiving implementation
1002 would try all available private keys, checking for a valid decrypted
1003 session key. This format helps reduce traffic analysis of messages.
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1012 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1015 5.2. Signature Packet (Tag 2)
1017 A Signature packet describes a binding between some public key and
1018 some data. The most common signatures are a signature of a file or a
1019 block of text, and a signature that is a certification of a User ID.
1021 Two versions of Signature packets are defined. Version 3 provides
1022 basic signature information, while version 4 provides an expandable
1023 format with subpackets that can specify more information about the
1024 signature. PGP 2.6.x only accepts version 3 signatures.
1026 Implementations SHOULD accept V3 signatures. Implementations SHOULD
1027 generate V4 signatures.
1029 Note that if an implementation is creating an encrypted and signed
1030 message that is encrypted to a V3 key, it is reasonable to create a
1033 5.2.1. Signature Types
1035 There are a number of possible meanings for a signature, which are
1036 indicated in a signature type octet in any given signature. Please
1037 note that the vagueness of these meanings is not a flaw, but a
1038 feature of the system. Because OpenPGP places final authority for
1039 validity upon the receiver of a signature, it may be that one
1040 signer's casual act might be more rigorous than some other
1041 authority's positive act. See Section 5.2.4, "Computing Signatures",
1042 for detailed information on how to compute and verify signatures of
1045 These meanings are as follows:
1047 0x00: Signature of a binary document.
1048 This means the signer owns it, created it, or certifies that it
1049 has not been modified.
1051 0x01: Signature of a canonical text document.
1052 This means the signer owns it, created it, or certifies that it
1053 has not been modified. The signature is calculated over the text
1054 data with its line endings converted to <CR><LF>.
1056 0x02: Standalone signature.
1057 This signature is a signature of only its own subpacket contents.
1058 It is calculated identically to a signature over a zero-length
1059 binary document. Note that it doesn't make sense to have a V3
1060 standalone signature.
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1068 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1071 0x10: Generic certification of a User ID and Public-Key packet.
1072 The issuer of this certification does not make any particular
1073 assertion as to how well the certifier has checked that the owner
1074 of the key is in fact the person described by the User ID.
1076 0x11: Persona certification of a User ID and Public-Key packet.
1077 The issuer of this certification has not done any verification of
1078 the claim that the owner of this key is the User ID specified.
1080 0x12: Casual certification of a User ID and Public-Key packet.
1081 The issuer of this certification has done some casual
1082 verification of the claim of identity.
1084 0x13: Positive certification of a User ID and Public-Key packet.
1085 The issuer of this certification has done substantial
1086 verification of the claim of identity.
1088 Most OpenPGP implementations make their "key signatures" as 0x10
1089 certifications. Some implementations can issue 0x11-0x13
1090 certifications, but few differentiate between the types.
1092 0x18: Subkey Binding Signature
1093 This signature is a statement by the top-level signing key that
1094 indicates that it owns the subkey. This signature is calculated
1095 directly on the primary key and subkey, and not on any User ID or
1096 other packets. A signature that binds a signing subkey MUST have
1097 an Embedded Signature subpacket in this binding signature that
1098 contains a 0x19 signature made by the signing subkey on the
1099 primary key and subkey.
1101 0x19: Primary Key Binding Signature
1102 This signature is a statement by a signing subkey, indicating
1103 that it is owned by the primary key and subkey. This signature
1104 is calculated the same way as a 0x18 signature: directly on the
1105 primary key and subkey, and not on any User ID or other packets.
1107 0x1F: Signature directly on a key
1108 This signature is calculated directly on a key. It binds the
1109 information in the Signature subpackets to the key, and is
1110 appropriate to be used for subpackets that provide information
1111 about the key, such as the Revocation Key subpacket. It is also
1112 appropriate for statements that non-self certifiers want to make
1113 about the key itself, rather than the binding between a key and a
1122 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 20]
1124 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1127 0x20: Key revocation signature
1128 The signature is calculated directly on the key being revoked. A
1129 revoked key is not to be used. Only revocation signatures by the
1130 key being revoked, or by an authorized revocation key, should be
1131 considered valid revocation signatures.
1133 0x28: Subkey revocation signature
1134 The signature is calculated directly on the subkey being revoked.
1135 A revoked subkey is not to be used. Only revocation signatures
1136 by the top-level signature key that is bound to this subkey, or
1137 by an authorized revocation key, should be considered valid
1138 revocation signatures.
1140 0x30: Certification revocation signature
1141 This signature revokes an earlier User ID certification signature
1142 (signature class 0x10 through 0x13) or direct-key signature
1143 (0x1F). It should be issued by the same key that issued the
1144 revoked signature or an authorized revocation key. The signature
1145 is computed over the same data as the certificate that it
1146 revokes, and should have a later creation date than that
1149 0x40: Timestamp signature.
1150 This signature is only meaningful for the timestamp contained in
1153 0x50: Third-Party Confirmation signature.
1154 This signature is a signature over some other OpenPGP Signature
1155 packet(s). It is analogous to a notary seal on the signed data.
1156 A third-party signature SHOULD include Signature Target
1157 subpacket(s) to give easy identification. Note that we really do
1158 mean SHOULD. There are plausible uses for this (such as a blind
1159 party that only sees the signature, not the key or source
1160 document) that cannot include a target subpacket.
1162 5.2.2. Version 3 Signature Packet Format
1164 The body of a version 3 Signature Packet contains:
1166 - One-octet version number (3).
1168 - One-octet length of following hashed material. MUST be 5.
1170 - One-octet signature type.
1172 - Four-octet creation time.
1174 - Eight-octet Key ID of signer.
1178 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 21]
1180 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1183 - One-octet public-key algorithm.
1185 - One-octet hash algorithm.
1187 - Two-octet field holding left 16 bits of signed hash value.
1189 - One or more multiprecision integers comprising the signature.
1190 This portion is algorithm specific, as described below.
1192 The concatenation of the data to be signed, the signature type, and
1193 creation time from the Signature packet (5 additional octets) is
1194 hashed. The resulting hash value is used in the signature algorithm.
1195 The high 16 bits (first two octets) of the hash are included in the
1196 Signature packet to provide a quick test to reject some invalid
1199 Algorithm-Specific Fields for RSA signatures:
1201 - multiprecision integer (MPI) of RSA signature value m**d mod n.
1203 Algorithm-Specific Fields for DSA signatures:
1205 - MPI of DSA value r.
1207 - MPI of DSA value s.
1209 The signature calculation is based on a hash of the signed data, as
1210 described above. The details of the calculation are different for
1211 DSA signatures than for RSA signatures.
1213 With RSA signatures, the hash value is encoded using PKCS#1 encoding
1214 type EMSA-PKCS1-v1_5 as described in Section 9.2 of RFC 3447. This
1215 requires inserting the hash value as an octet string into an ASN.1
1216 structure. The object identifier for the type of hash being used is
1217 included in the structure. The hexadecimal representations for the
1218 currently defined hash algorithms are as follows:
1220 - MD5: 0x2A, 0x86, 0x48, 0x86, 0xF7, 0x0D, 0x02, 0x05
1222 - RIPEMD-160: 0x2B, 0x24, 0x03, 0x02, 0x01
1224 - SHA-1: 0x2B, 0x0E, 0x03, 0x02, 0x1A
1226 - SHA224: 0x60, 0x86, 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x04
1228 - SHA256: 0x60, 0x86, 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x01
1230 - SHA384: 0x60, 0x86, 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x02
1234 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 22]
1236 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1239 - SHA512: 0x60, 0x86, 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x03
1241 The ASN.1 Object Identifiers (OIDs) are as follows:
1243 - MD5: 1.2.840.113549.2.5
1245 - RIPEMD-160: 1.3.36.3.2.1
1247 - SHA-1: 1.3.14.3.2.26
1249 - SHA224: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.2.4
1251 - SHA256: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.2.1
1253 - SHA384: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.2.2
1255 - SHA512: 2.16.840.1.101.3.4.2.3
1257 The full hash prefixes for these are as follows:
1259 MD5: 0x30, 0x20, 0x30, 0x0C, 0x06, 0x08, 0x2A, 0x86,
1260 0x48, 0x86, 0xF7, 0x0D, 0x02, 0x05, 0x05, 0x00,
1263 RIPEMD-160: 0x30, 0x21, 0x30, 0x09, 0x06, 0x05, 0x2B, 0x24,
1264 0x03, 0x02, 0x01, 0x05, 0x00, 0x04, 0x14
1266 SHA-1: 0x30, 0x21, 0x30, 0x09, 0x06, 0x05, 0x2b, 0x0E,
1267 0x03, 0x02, 0x1A, 0x05, 0x00, 0x04, 0x14
1269 SHA224: 0x30, 0x31, 0x30, 0x0d, 0x06, 0x09, 0x60, 0x86,
1270 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x04, 0x05,
1273 SHA256: 0x30, 0x31, 0x30, 0x0d, 0x06, 0x09, 0x60, 0x86,
1274 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x01, 0x05,
1277 SHA384: 0x30, 0x41, 0x30, 0x0d, 0x06, 0x09, 0x60, 0x86,
1278 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x02, 0x05,
1281 SHA512: 0x30, 0x51, 0x30, 0x0d, 0x06, 0x09, 0x60, 0x86,
1282 0x48, 0x01, 0x65, 0x03, 0x04, 0x02, 0x03, 0x05,
1285 DSA signatures MUST use hashes that are equal in size to the number
1286 of bits of q, the group generated by the DSA key's generator value.
1290 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 23]
1292 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1295 If the output size of the chosen hash is larger than the number of
1296 bits of q, the hash result is truncated to fit by taking the number
1297 of leftmost bits equal to the number of bits of q. This (possibly
1298 truncated) hash function result is treated as a number and used
1299 directly in the DSA signature algorithm.
1301 5.2.3. Version 4 Signature Packet Format
1303 The body of a version 4 Signature packet contains:
1305 - One-octet version number (4).
1307 - One-octet signature type.
1309 - One-octet public-key algorithm.
1311 - One-octet hash algorithm.
1313 - Two-octet scalar octet count for following hashed subpacket data.
1314 Note that this is the length in octets of all of the hashed
1315 subpackets; a pointer incremented by this number will skip over
1316 the hashed subpackets.
1318 - Hashed subpacket data set (zero or more subpackets).
1320 - Two-octet scalar octet count for the following unhashed subpacket
1321 data. Note that this is the length in octets of all of the
1322 unhashed subpackets; a pointer incremented by this number will
1323 skip over the unhashed subpackets.
1325 - Unhashed subpacket data set (zero or more subpackets).
1327 - Two-octet field holding the left 16 bits of the signed hash
1330 - One or more multiprecision integers comprising the signature.
1331 This portion is algorithm specific, as described above.
1333 The concatenation of the data being signed and the signature data
1334 from the version number through the hashed subpacket data (inclusive)
1335 is hashed. The resulting hash value is what is signed. The left 16
1336 bits of the hash are included in the Signature packet to provide a
1337 quick test to reject some invalid signatures.
1339 There are two fields consisting of Signature subpackets. The first
1340 field is hashed with the rest of the signature data, while the second
1341 is unhashed. The second set of subpackets is not cryptographically
1346 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 24]
1348 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1351 protected by the signature and should include only advisory
1354 The algorithms for converting the hash function result to a signature
1355 are described in a section below.
1357 5.2.3.1. Signature Subpacket Specification
1359 A subpacket data set consists of zero or more Signature subpackets.
1360 In Signature packets, the subpacket data set is preceded by a two-
1361 octet scalar count of the length in octets of all the subpackets. A
1362 pointer incremented by this number will skip over the subpacket data
1365 Each subpacket consists of a subpacket header and a body. The header
1368 - the subpacket length (1, 2, or 5 octets),
1370 - the subpacket type (1 octet),
1372 and is followed by the subpacket-specific data.
1374 The length includes the type octet but not this length. Its format
1375 is similar to the "new" format packet header lengths, but cannot have
1376 Partial Body Lengths. That is:
1378 if the 1st octet < 192, then
1380 subpacketLen = 1st_octet
1382 if the 1st octet >= 192 and < 255, then
1384 subpacketLen = ((1st_octet - 192) << 8) + (2nd_octet) + 192
1386 if the 1st octet = 255, then
1388 subpacket length = [four-octet scalar starting at 2nd_octet]
1390 The value of the subpacket type octet may be:
1394 2 = Signature Creation Time
1395 3 = Signature Expiration Time
1396 4 = Exportable Certification
1398 6 = Regular Expression
1402 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 25]
1404 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1409 9 = Key Expiration Time
1410 10 = Placeholder for backward compatibility
1411 11 = Preferred Symmetric Algorithms
1421 21 = Preferred Hash Algorithms
1422 22 = Preferred Compression Algorithms
1423 23 = Key Server Preferences
1424 24 = Preferred Key Server
1425 25 = Primary User ID
1428 28 = Signer's User ID
1429 29 = Reason for Revocation
1431 31 = Signature Target
1432 32 = Embedded Signature
1433 100 To 110 = Private or experimental
1435 An implementation SHOULD ignore any subpacket of a type that it does
1438 Bit 7 of the subpacket type is the "critical" bit. If set, it
1439 denotes that the subpacket is one that is critical for the evaluator
1440 of the signature to recognize. If a subpacket is encountered that is
1441 marked critical but is unknown to the evaluating software, the
1442 evaluator SHOULD consider the signature to be in error.
1444 An evaluator may "recognize" a subpacket, but not implement it. The
1445 purpose of the critical bit is to allow the signer to tell an
1446 evaluator that it would prefer a new, unknown feature to generate an
1447 error than be ignored.
1449 Implementations SHOULD implement the three preferred algorithm
1450 subpackets (11, 21, and 22), as well as the "Reason for Revocation"
1451 subpacket. Note, however, that if an implementation chooses not to
1452 implement some of the preferences, it is required to behave in a
1453 polite manner to respect the wishes of those users who do implement
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1460 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1463 5.2.3.2. Signature Subpacket Types
1465 A number of subpackets are currently defined. Some subpackets apply
1466 to the signature itself and some are attributes of the key.
1467 Subpackets that are found on a self-signature are placed on a
1468 certification made by the key itself. Note that a key may have more
1469 than one User ID, and thus may have more than one self-signature, and
1470 differing subpackets.
1472 A subpacket may be found either in the hashed or unhashed subpacket
1473 sections of a signature. If a subpacket is not hashed, then the
1474 information in it cannot be considered definitive because it is not
1475 part of the signature proper.
1477 5.2.3.3. Notes on Self-Signatures
1479 A self-signature is a binding signature made by the key to which the
1480 signature refers. There are three types of self-signatures, the
1481 certification signatures (types 0x10-0x13), the direct-key signature
1482 (type 0x1F), and the subkey binding signature (type 0x18). For
1483 certification self-signatures, each User ID may have a self-
1484 signature, and thus different subpackets in those self-signatures.
1485 For subkey binding signatures, each subkey in fact has a self-
1486 signature. Subpackets that appear in a certification self-signature
1487 apply to the user name, and subpackets that appear in the subkey
1488 self-signature apply to the subkey. Lastly, subpackets on the
1489 direct-key signature apply to the entire key.
1491 Implementing software should interpret a self-signature's preference
1492 subpackets as narrowly as possible. For example, suppose a key has
1493 two user names, Alice and Bob. Suppose that Alice prefers the
1494 symmetric algorithm CAST5, and Bob prefers IDEA or TripleDES. If the
1495 software locates this key via Alice's name, then the preferred
1496 algorithm is CAST5; if software locates the key via Bob's name, then
1497 the preferred algorithm is IDEA. If the key is located by Key ID,
1498 the algorithm of the primary User ID of the key provides the
1499 preferred symmetric algorithm.
1501 Revoking a self-signature or allowing it to expire has a semantic
1502 meaning that varies with the signature type. Revoking the self-
1503 signature on a User ID effectively retires that user name. The
1504 self-signature is a statement, "My name X is tied to my signing key
1505 K" and is corroborated by other users' certifications. If another
1506 user revokes their certification, they are effectively saying that
1507 they no longer believe that name and that key are tied together.
1508 Similarly, if the users themselves revoke their self-signature, then
1509 the users no longer go by that name, no longer have that email
1510 address, etc. Revoking a binding signature effectively retires that
1514 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 27]
1516 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1519 subkey. Revoking a direct-key signature cancels that signature.
1520 Please see the "Reason for Revocation" subpacket (Section 5.2.3.23)
1521 for more relevant detail.
1523 Since a self-signature contains important information about the key's
1524 use, an implementation SHOULD allow the user to rewrite the self-
1525 signature, and important information in it, such as preferences and
1528 It is good practice to verify that a self-signature imported into an
1529 implementation doesn't advertise features that the implementation
1530 doesn't support, rewriting the signature as appropriate.
1532 An implementation that encounters multiple self-signatures on the
1533 same object may resolve the ambiguity in any way it sees fit, but it
1534 is RECOMMENDED that priority be given to the most recent self-
1537 5.2.3.4. Signature Creation Time
1539 (4-octet time field)
1541 The time the signature was made.
1543 MUST be present in the hashed area.
1549 The OpenPGP Key ID of the key issuing the signature.
1551 5.2.3.6. Key Expiration Time
1553 (4-octet time field)
1555 The validity period of the key. This is the number of seconds after
1556 the key creation time that the key expires. If this is not present
1557 or has a value of zero, the key never expires. This is found only on
1560 5.2.3.7. Preferred Symmetric Algorithms
1562 (array of one-octet values)
1564 Symmetric algorithm numbers that indicate which algorithms the key
1565 holder prefers to use. The subpacket body is an ordered list of
1566 octets with the most preferred listed first. It is assumed that only
1570 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 28]
1572 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1575 algorithms listed are supported by the recipient's software.
1576 Algorithm numbers are in Section 9. This is only found on a self-
1579 5.2.3.8. Preferred Hash Algorithms
1581 (array of one-octet values)
1583 Message digest algorithm numbers that indicate which algorithms the
1584 key holder prefers to receive. Like the preferred symmetric
1585 algorithms, the list is ordered. Algorithm numbers are in Section 9.
1586 This is only found on a self-signature.
1588 5.2.3.9. Preferred Compression Algorithms
1590 (array of one-octet values)
1592 Compression algorithm numbers that indicate which algorithms the key
1593 holder prefers to use. Like the preferred symmetric algorithms, the
1594 list is ordered. Algorithm numbers are in Section 9. If this
1595 subpacket is not included, ZIP is preferred. A zero denotes that
1596 uncompressed data is preferred; the key holder's software might have
1597 no compression software in that implementation. This is only found
1598 on a self-signature.
1600 5.2.3.10. Signature Expiration Time
1602 (4-octet time field)
1604 The validity period of the signature. This is the number of seconds
1605 after the signature creation time that the signature expires. If
1606 this is not present or has a value of zero, it never expires.
1608 5.2.3.11. Exportable Certification
1610 (1 octet of exportability, 0 for not, 1 for exportable)
1612 This subpacket denotes whether a certification signature is
1613 "exportable", to be used by other users than the signature's issuer.
1614 The packet body contains a Boolean flag indicating whether the
1615 signature is exportable. If this packet is not present, the
1616 certification is exportable; it is equivalent to a flag containing a
1619 Non-exportable, or "local", certifications are signatures made by a
1620 user to mark a key as valid within that user's implementation only.
1626 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 29]
1628 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1631 Thus, when an implementation prepares a user's copy of a key for
1632 transport to another user (this is the process of "exporting" the
1633 key), any local certification signatures are deleted from the key.
1635 The receiver of a transported key "imports" it, and likewise trims
1636 any local certifications. In normal operation, there won't be any,
1637 assuming the import is performed on an exported key. However, there
1638 are instances where this can reasonably happen. For example, if an
1639 implementation allows keys to be imported from a key database in
1640 addition to an exported key, then this situation can arise.
1642 Some implementations do not represent the interest of a single user
1643 (for example, a key server). Such implementations always trim local
1644 certifications from any key they handle.
1648 (1 octet of revocability, 0 for not, 1 for revocable)
1650 Signature's revocability status. The packet body contains a Boolean
1651 flag indicating whether the signature is revocable. Signatures that
1652 are not revocable have any later revocation signatures ignored. They
1653 represent a commitment by the signer that he cannot revoke his
1654 signature for the life of his key. If this packet is not present,
1655 the signature is revocable.
1657 5.2.3.13. Trust Signature
1659 (1 octet "level" (depth), 1 octet of trust amount)
1661 Signer asserts that the key is not only valid but also trustworthy at
1662 the specified level. Level 0 has the same meaning as an ordinary
1663 validity signature. Level 1 means that the signed key is asserted to
1664 be a valid trusted introducer, with the 2nd octet of the body
1665 specifying the degree of trust. Level 2 means that the signed key is
1666 asserted to be trusted to issue level 1 trust signatures, i.e., that
1667 it is a "meta introducer". Generally, a level n trust signature
1668 asserts that a key is trusted to issue level n-1 trust signatures.
1669 The trust amount is in a range from 0-255, interpreted such that
1670 values less than 120 indicate partial trust and values of 120 or
1671 greater indicate complete trust. Implementations SHOULD emit values
1672 of 60 for partial trust and 120 for complete trust.
1682 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 30]
1684 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1687 5.2.3.14. Regular Expression
1689 (null-terminated regular expression)
1691 Used in conjunction with trust Signature packets (of level > 0) to
1692 limit the scope of trust that is extended. Only signatures by the
1693 target key on User IDs that match the regular expression in the body
1694 of this packet have trust extended by the trust Signature subpacket.
1695 The regular expression uses the same syntax as the Henry Spencer's
1696 "almost public domain" regular expression [REGEX] package. A
1697 description of the syntax is found in Section 8 below.
1699 5.2.3.15. Revocation Key
1701 (1 octet of class, 1 octet of public-key algorithm ID, 20 octets of
1704 Authorizes the specified key to issue revocation signatures for this
1705 key. Class octet must have bit 0x80 set. If the bit 0x40 is set,
1706 then this means that the revocation information is sensitive. Other
1707 bits are for future expansion to other kinds of authorizations. This
1708 is found on a self-signature.
1710 If the "sensitive" flag is set, the keyholder feels this subpacket
1711 contains private trust information that describes a real-world
1712 sensitive relationship. If this flag is set, implementations SHOULD
1713 NOT export this signature to other users except in cases where the
1714 data needs to be available: when the signature is being sent to the
1715 designated revoker, or when it is accompanied by a revocation
1716 signature from that revoker. Note that it may be appropriate to
1717 isolate this subpacket within a separate signature so that it is not
1718 combined with other subpackets that need to be exported.
1720 5.2.3.16. Notation Data
1722 (4 octets of flags, 2 octets of name length (M),
1723 2 octets of value length (N),
1724 M octets of name data,
1725 N octets of value data)
1727 This subpacket describes a "notation" on the signature that the
1728 issuer wishes to make. The notation has a name and a value, each of
1729 which are strings of octets. There may be more than one notation in
1730 a signature. Notations can be used for any extension the issuer of
1731 the signature cares to make. The "flags" field holds four octets of
1738 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 31]
1740 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1743 All undefined flags MUST be zero. Defined flags are as follows:
1745 First octet: 0x80 = human-readable. This note value is text.
1748 Notation names are arbitrary strings encoded in UTF-8. They reside
1749 in two namespaces: The IETF namespace and the user namespace.
1751 The IETF namespace is registered with IANA. These names MUST NOT
1752 contain the "@" character (0x40). This is a tag for the user
1755 Names in the user namespace consist of a UTF-8 string tag followed by
1756 "@" followed by a DNS domain name. Note that the tag MUST NOT
1757 contain an "@" character. For example, the "sample" tag used by
1758 Example Corporation could be "sample@example.com".
1760 Names in a user space are owned and controlled by the owners of that
1761 domain. Obviously, it's bad form to create a new name in a DNS space
1764 Since the user namespace is in the form of an email address,
1765 implementers MAY wish to arrange for that address to reach a person
1766 who can be consulted about the use of the named tag. Note that due
1767 to UTF-8 encoding, not all valid user space name tags are valid email
1770 If there is a critical notation, the criticality applies to that
1771 specific notation and not to notations in general.
1773 5.2.3.17. Key Server Preferences
1777 This is a list of one-bit flags that indicate preferences that the
1778 key holder has about how the key is handled on a key server. All
1779 undefined flags MUST be zero.
1781 First octet: 0x80 = No-modify
1782 the key holder requests that this key only be modified or updated
1783 by the key holder or an administrator of the key server.
1785 This is found only on a self-signature.
1794 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 32]
1796 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1799 5.2.3.18. Preferred Key Server
1803 This is a URI of a key server that the key holder prefers be used for
1804 updates. Note that keys with multiple User IDs can have a preferred
1805 key server for each User ID. Note also that since this is a URI, the
1806 key server can actually be a copy of the key retrieved by ftp, http,
1809 5.2.3.19. Primary User ID
1813 This is a flag in a User ID's self-signature that states whether this
1814 User ID is the main User ID for this key. It is reasonable for an
1815 implementation to resolve ambiguities in preferences, etc. by
1816 referring to the primary User ID. If this flag is absent, its value
1817 is zero. If more than one User ID in a key is marked as primary, the
1818 implementation may resolve the ambiguity in any way it sees fit, but
1819 it is RECOMMENDED that priority be given to the User ID with the most
1820 recent self-signature.
1822 When appearing on a self-signature on a User ID packet, this
1823 subpacket applies only to User ID packets. When appearing on a
1824 self-signature on a User Attribute packet, this subpacket applies
1825 only to User Attribute packets. That is to say, there are two
1826 different and independent "primaries" -- one for User IDs, and one
1827 for User Attributes.
1829 5.2.3.20. Policy URI
1833 This subpacket contains a URI of a document that describes the policy
1834 under which the signature was issued.
1840 This subpacket contains a list of binary flags that hold information
1841 about a key. It is a string of octets, and an implementation MUST
1842 NOT assume a fixed size. This is so it can grow over time. If a
1843 list is shorter than an implementation expects, the unstated flags
1844 are considered to be zero. The defined flags are as follows:
1850 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 33]
1852 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1857 0x01 - This key may be used to certify other keys.
1859 0x02 - This key may be used to sign data.
1861 0x04 - This key may be used to encrypt communications.
1863 0x08 - This key may be used to encrypt storage.
1865 0x10 - The private component of this key may have been split
1866 by a secret-sharing mechanism.
1868 0x20 - This key may be used for authentication.
1870 0x80 - The private component of this key may be in the
1871 possession of more than one person.
1875 The flags in this packet may appear in self-signatures or in
1876 certification signatures. They mean different things depending on
1877 who is making the statement -- for example, a certification signature
1878 that has the "sign data" flag is stating that the certification is
1879 for that use. On the other hand, the "communications encryption"
1880 flag in a self-signature is stating a preference that a given key be
1881 used for communications. Note however, that it is a thorny issue to
1882 determine what is "communications" and what is "storage". This
1883 decision is left wholly up to the implementation; the authors of this
1884 document do not claim any special wisdom on the issue and realize
1885 that accepted opinion may change.
1887 The "split key" (0x10) and "group key" (0x80) flags are placed on a
1888 self-signature only; they are meaningless on a certification
1889 signature. They SHOULD be placed only on a direct-key signature
1890 (type 0x1F) or a subkey signature (type 0x18), one that refers to the
1891 key the flag applies to.
1893 5.2.3.22. Signer's User ID
1897 This subpacket allows a keyholder to state which User ID is
1898 responsible for the signing. Many keyholders use a single key for
1899 different purposes, such as business communications as well as
1900 personal communications. This subpacket allows such a keyholder to
1901 state which of their roles is making a signature.
1906 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 34]
1908 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1911 This subpacket is not appropriate to use to refer to a User Attribute
1914 5.2.3.23. Reason for Revocation
1916 (1 octet of revocation code, N octets of reason string)
1918 This subpacket is used only in key revocation and certification
1919 revocation signatures. It describes the reason why the key or
1920 certificate was revoked.
1922 The first octet contains a machine-readable code that denotes the
1923 reason for the revocation:
1925 0 - No reason specified (key revocations or cert revocations)
1926 1 - Key is superseded (key revocations)
1927 2 - Key material has been compromised (key revocations)
1928 3 - Key is retired and no longer used (key revocations)
1929 32 - User ID information is no longer valid (cert revocations)
1930 100-110 - Private Use
1932 Following the revocation code is a string of octets that gives
1933 information about the Reason for Revocation in human-readable form
1934 (UTF-8). The string may be null, that is, of zero length. The
1935 length of the subpacket is the length of the reason string plus one.
1936 An implementation SHOULD implement this subpacket, include it in all
1937 revocation signatures, and interpret revocations appropriately.
1938 There are important semantic differences between the reasons, and
1939 there are thus important reasons for revoking signatures.
1941 If a key has been revoked because of a compromise, all signatures
1942 created by that key are suspect. However, if it was merely
1943 superseded or retired, old signatures are still valid. If the
1944 revoked signature is the self-signature for certifying a User ID, a
1945 revocation denotes that that user name is no longer in use. Such a
1946 revocation SHOULD include a 0x20 code.
1948 Note that any signature may be revoked, including a certification on
1949 some other person's key. There are many good reasons for revoking a
1950 certification signature, such as the case where the keyholder leaves
1951 the employ of a business with an email address. A revoked
1952 certification is no longer a part of validity calculations.
1962 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 35]
1964 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
1971 The Features subpacket denotes which advanced OpenPGP features a
1972 user's implementation supports. This is so that as features are
1973 added to OpenPGP that cannot be backwards-compatible, a user can
1974 state that they can use that feature. The flags are single bits that
1975 indicate that a given feature is supported.
1977 This subpacket is similar to a preferences subpacket, and only
1978 appears in a self-signature.
1980 An implementation SHOULD NOT use a feature listed when sending to a
1981 user who does not state that they can use it.
1983 Defined features are as follows:
1987 0x01 - Modification Detection (packets 18 and 19)
1989 If an implementation implements any of the defined features, it
1990 SHOULD implement the Features subpacket, too.
1992 An implementation may freely infer features from other suitable
1993 implementation-dependent mechanisms.
1995 5.2.3.25. Signature Target
1997 (1 octet public-key algorithm, 1 octet hash algorithm, N octets hash)
1999 This subpacket identifies a specific target signature to which a
2000 signature refers. For revocation signatures, this subpacket
2001 provides explicit designation of which signature is being revoked.
2002 For a third-party or timestamp signature, this designates what
2003 signature is signed. All arguments are an identifier of that target
2006 The N octets of hash data MUST be the size of the hash of the
2007 signature. For example, a target signature with a SHA-1 hash MUST
2008 have 20 octets of hash data.
2018 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 36]
2020 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2023 5.2.3.26. Embedded Signature
2025 (1 signature packet body)
2027 This subpacket contains a complete Signature packet body as
2028 specified in Section 5.2 above. It is useful when one signature
2029 needs to refer to, or be incorporated in, another signature.
2031 5.2.4. Computing Signatures
2033 All signatures are formed by producing a hash over the signature
2034 data, and then using the resulting hash in the signature algorithm.
2036 For binary document signatures (type 0x00), the document data is
2037 hashed directly. For text document signatures (type 0x01), the
2038 document is canonicalized by converting line endings to <CR><LF>,
2039 and the resulting data is hashed.
2041 When a signature is made over a key, the hash data starts with the
2042 octet 0x99, followed by a two-octet length of the key, and then body
2043 of the key packet. (Note that this is an old-style packet header for
2044 a key packet with two-octet length.) A subkey binding signature
2045 (type 0x18) or primary key binding signature (type 0x19) then hashes
2046 the subkey using the same format as the main key (also using 0x99 as
2047 the first octet). Key revocation signatures (types 0x20 and 0x28)
2048 hash only the key being revoked.
2050 A certification signature (type 0x10 through 0x13) hashes the User
2051 ID being bound to the key into the hash context after the above
2052 data. A V3 certification hashes the contents of the User ID or
2053 attribute packet packet, without any header. A V4 certification
2054 hashes the constant 0xB4 for User ID certifications or the constant
2055 0xD1 for User Attribute certifications, followed by a four-octet
2056 number giving the length of the User ID or User Attribute data, and
2057 then the User ID or User Attribute data.
2059 When a signature is made over a Signature packet (type 0x50), the
2060 hash data starts with the octet 0x88, followed by the four-octet
2061 length of the signature, and then the body of the Signature packet.
2062 (Note that this is an old-style packet header for a Signature packet
2063 with the length-of-length set to zero.) The unhashed subpacket data
2064 of the Signature packet being hashed is not included in the hash, and
2065 the unhashed subpacket data length value is set to zero.
2067 Once the data body is hashed, then a trailer is hashed. A V3
2068 signature hashes five octets of the packet body, starting from the
2069 signature type field. This data is the signature type, followed by
2070 the four-octet signature time. A V4 signature hashes the packet body
2074 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 37]
2076 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2079 starting from its first field, the version number, through the end
2080 of the hashed subpacket data. Thus, the fields hashed are the
2081 signature version, the signature type, the public-key algorithm, the
2082 hash algorithm, the hashed subpacket length, and the hashed
2085 V4 signatures also hash in a final trailer of six octets: the
2086 version of the Signature packet, i.e., 0x04; 0xFF; and a four-octet,
2087 big-endian number that is the length of the hashed data from the
2088 Signature packet (note that this number does not include these final
2091 After all this has been hashed in a single hash context, the
2092 resulting hash field is used in the signature algorithm and placed
2093 at the end of the Signature packet.
2095 5.2.4.1. Subpacket Hints
2097 It is certainly possible for a signature to contain conflicting
2098 information in subpackets. For example, a signature may contain
2099 multiple copies of a preference or multiple expiration times. In
2100 most cases, an implementation SHOULD use the last subpacket in the
2101 signature, but MAY use any conflict resolution scheme that makes
2102 more sense. Please note that we are intentionally leaving conflict
2103 resolution to the implementer; most conflicts are simply syntax
2104 errors, and the wishy-washy language here allows a receiver to be
2105 generous in what they accept, while putting pressure on a creator to
2106 be stingy in what they generate.
2108 Some apparent conflicts may actually make sense -- for example,
2109 suppose a keyholder has a V3 key and a V4 key that share the same
2110 RSA key material. Either of these keys can verify a signature
2111 created by the other, and it may be reasonable for a signature to
2112 contain an issuer subpacket for each key, as a way of explicitly
2113 tying those keys to the signature.
2115 5.3. Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key Packets (Tag 3)
2117 The Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packet holds the
2118 symmetric-key encryption of a session key used to encrypt a message.
2119 Zero or more Public-Key Encrypted Session Key packets and/or
2120 Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packets may precede a
2121 Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet that holds an encrypted message.
2122 The message is encrypted with a session key, and the session key is
2123 itself encrypted and stored in the Encrypted Session Key packet or
2124 the Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packet.
2130 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 38]
2132 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2135 If the Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet is preceded by one or
2136 more Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packets, each specifies a
2137 passphrase that may be used to decrypt the message. This allows a
2138 message to be encrypted to a number of public keys, and also to one
2139 or more passphrases. This packet type is new and is not generated
2140 by PGP 2.x or PGP 5.0.
2142 The body of this packet consists of:
2144 - A one-octet version number. The only currently defined version
2147 - A one-octet number describing the symmetric algorithm used.
2149 - A string-to-key (S2K) specifier, length as defined above.
2151 - Optionally, the encrypted session key itself, which is decrypted
2152 with the string-to-key object.
2154 If the encrypted session key is not present (which can be detected
2155 on the basis of packet length and S2K specifier size), then the S2K
2156 algorithm applied to the passphrase produces the session key for
2157 decrypting the file, using the symmetric cipher algorithm from the
2158 Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packet.
2160 If the encrypted session key is present, the result of applying the
2161 S2K algorithm to the passphrase is used to decrypt just that
2162 encrypted session key field, using CFB mode with an IV of all zeros.
2163 The decryption result consists of a one-octet algorithm identifier
2164 that specifies the symmetric-key encryption algorithm used to
2165 encrypt the following Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet, followed
2166 by the session key octets themselves.
2168 Note: because an all-zero IV is used for this decryption, the S2K
2169 specifier MUST use a salt value, either a Salted S2K or an
2170 Iterated-Salted S2K. The salt value will ensure that the decryption
2171 key is not repeated even if the passphrase is reused.
2173 5.4. One-Pass Signature Packets (Tag 4)
2175 The One-Pass Signature packet precedes the signed data and contains
2176 enough information to allow the receiver to begin calculating any
2177 hashes needed to verify the signature. It allows the Signature
2178 packet to be placed at the end of the message, so that the signer
2179 can compute the entire signed message in one pass.
2181 A One-Pass Signature does not interoperate with PGP 2.6.x or
2186 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 39]
2188 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2191 The body of this packet consists of:
2193 - A one-octet version number. The current version is 3.
2195 - A one-octet signature type. Signature types are described in
2198 - A one-octet number describing the hash algorithm used.
2200 - A one-octet number describing the public-key algorithm used.
2202 - An eight-octet number holding the Key ID of the signing key.
2204 - A one-octet number holding a flag showing whether the signature
2205 is nested. A zero value indicates that the next packet is
2206 another One-Pass Signature packet that describes another
2207 signature to be applied to the same message data.
2209 Note that if a message contains more than one one-pass signature,
2210 then the Signature packets bracket the message; that is, the first
2211 Signature packet after the message corresponds to the last one-pass
2212 packet and the final Signature packet corresponds to the first
2215 5.5. Key Material Packet
2217 A key material packet contains all the information about a public or
2218 private key. There are four variants of this packet type, and two
2219 major versions. Consequently, this section is complex.
2221 5.5.1. Key Packet Variants
2223 5.5.1.1. Public-Key Packet (Tag 6)
2225 A Public-Key packet starts a series of packets that forms an OpenPGP
2226 key (sometimes called an OpenPGP certificate).
2228 5.5.1.2. Public-Subkey Packet (Tag 14)
2230 A Public-Subkey packet (tag 14) has exactly the same format as a
2231 Public-Key packet, but denotes a subkey. One or more subkeys may be
2232 associated with a top-level key. By convention, the top-level key
2233 provides signature services, and the subkeys provide encryption
2236 Note: in PGP 2.6.x, tag 14 was intended to indicate a comment
2237 packet. This tag was selected for reuse because no previous version
2238 of PGP ever emitted comment packets but they did properly ignore
2242 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 40]
2244 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2247 them. Public-Subkey packets are ignored by PGP 2.6.x and do not
2248 cause it to fail, providing a limited degree of backward
2251 5.5.1.3. Secret-Key Packet (Tag 5)
2253 A Secret-Key packet contains all the information that is found in a
2254 Public-Key packet, including the public-key material, but also
2255 includes the secret-key material after all the public-key fields.
2257 5.5.1.4. Secret-Subkey Packet (Tag 7)
2259 A Secret-Subkey packet (tag 7) is the subkey analog of the Secret
2260 Key packet and has exactly the same format.
2262 5.5.2. Public-Key Packet Formats
2264 There are two versions of key-material packets. Version 3 packets
2265 were first generated by PGP 2.6. Version 4 keys first appeared in
2266 PGP 5.0 and are the preferred key version for OpenPGP.
2268 OpenPGP implementations MUST create keys with version 4 format. V3
2269 keys are deprecated; an implementation MUST NOT generate a V3 key,
2272 A version 3 public key or public-subkey packet contains:
2274 - A one-octet version number (3).
2276 - A four-octet number denoting the time that the key was created.
2278 - A two-octet number denoting the time in days that this key is
2279 valid. If this number is zero, then it does not expire.
2281 - A one-octet number denoting the public-key algorithm of this key.
2283 - A series of multiprecision integers comprising the key material:
2285 - a multiprecision integer (MPI) of RSA public modulus n;
2287 - an MPI of RSA public encryption exponent e.
2289 V3 keys are deprecated. They contain three weaknesses. First, it is
2290 relatively easy to construct a V3 key that has the same Key ID as any
2291 other key because the Key ID is simply the low 64 bits of the public
2292 modulus. Secondly, because the fingerprint of a V3 key hashes the
2293 key material, but not its length, there is an increased opportunity
2294 for fingerprint collisions. Third, there are weaknesses in the MD5
2298 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 41]
2300 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2303 hash algorithm that make developers prefer other algorithms. See
2304 below for a fuller discussion of Key IDs and fingerprints.
2306 V2 keys are identical to the deprecated V3 keys except for the
2307 version number. An implementation MUST NOT generate them and MAY
2308 accept or reject them as it sees fit.
2310 The version 4 format is similar to the version 3 format except for
2311 the absence of a validity period. This has been moved to the
2312 Signature packet. In addition, fingerprints of version 4 keys are
2313 calculated differently from version 3 keys, as described in the
2314 section "Enhanced Key Formats".
2316 A version 4 packet contains:
2318 - A one-octet version number (4).
2320 - A four-octet number denoting the time that the key was created.
2322 - A one-octet number denoting the public-key algorithm of this key.
2324 - A series of multiprecision integers comprising the key material.
2325 This algorithm-specific portion is:
2327 Algorithm-Specific Fields for RSA public keys:
2329 - multiprecision integer (MPI) of RSA public modulus n;
2331 - MPI of RSA public encryption exponent e.
2333 Algorithm-Specific Fields for DSA public keys:
2335 - MPI of DSA prime p;
2337 - MPI of DSA group order q (q is a prime divisor of p-1);
2339 - MPI of DSA group generator g;
2341 - MPI of DSA public-key value y (= g**x mod p where x
2344 Algorithm-Specific Fields for Elgamal public keys:
2346 - MPI of Elgamal prime p;
2348 - MPI of Elgamal group generator g;
2354 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 42]
2356 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2359 - MPI of Elgamal public key value y (= g**x mod p where x
2362 5.5.3. Secret-Key Packet Formats
2364 The Secret-Key and Secret-Subkey packets contain all the data of the
2365 Public-Key and Public-Subkey packets, with additional algorithm-
2366 specific secret-key data appended, usually in encrypted form.
2368 The packet contains:
2370 - A Public-Key or Public-Subkey packet, as described above.
2372 - One octet indicating string-to-key usage conventions. Zero
2373 indicates that the secret-key data is not encrypted. 255 or 254
2374 indicates that a string-to-key specifier is being given. Any
2375 other value is a symmetric-key encryption algorithm identifier.
2377 - [Optional] If string-to-key usage octet was 255 or 254, a one-
2378 octet symmetric encryption algorithm.
2380 - [Optional] If string-to-key usage octet was 255 or 254, a
2381 string-to-key specifier. The length of the string-to-key
2382 specifier is implied by its type, as described above.
2384 - [Optional] If secret data is encrypted (string-to-key usage octet
2385 not zero), an Initial Vector (IV) of the same length as the
2386 cipher's block size.
2388 - Plain or encrypted multiprecision integers comprising the secret
2389 key data. These algorithm-specific fields are as described
2392 - If the string-to-key usage octet is zero or 255, then a two-octet
2393 checksum of the plaintext of the algorithm-specific portion (sum
2394 of all octets, mod 65536). If the string-to-key usage octet was
2395 254, then a 20-octet SHA-1 hash of the plaintext of the
2396 algorithm-specific portion. This checksum or hash is encrypted
2397 together with the algorithm-specific fields (if string-to-key
2398 usage octet is not zero). Note that for all other values, a
2399 two-octet checksum is required.
2401 Algorithm-Specific Fields for RSA secret keys:
2403 - multiprecision integer (MPI) of RSA secret exponent d.
2405 - MPI of RSA secret prime value p.
2410 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 43]
2412 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2415 - MPI of RSA secret prime value q (p < q).
2417 - MPI of u, the multiplicative inverse of p, mod q.
2419 Algorithm-Specific Fields for DSA secret keys:
2421 - MPI of DSA secret exponent x.
2423 Algorithm-Specific Fields for Elgamal secret keys:
2425 - MPI of Elgamal secret exponent x.
2427 Secret MPI values can be encrypted using a passphrase. If a string-
2428 to-key specifier is given, that describes the algorithm for
2429 converting the passphrase to a key, else a simple MD5 hash of the
2430 passphrase is used. Implementations MUST use a string-to-key
2431 specifier; the simple hash is for backward compatibility and is
2432 deprecated, though implementations MAY continue to use existing
2433 private keys in the old format. The cipher for encrypting the MPIs
2434 is specified in the Secret-Key packet.
2436 Encryption/decryption of the secret data is done in CFB mode using
2437 the key created from the passphrase and the Initial Vector from the
2438 packet. A different mode is used with V3 keys (which are only RSA)
2439 than with other key formats. With V3 keys, the MPI bit count prefix
2440 (i.e., the first two octets) is not encrypted. Only the MPI non-
2441 prefix data is encrypted. Furthermore, the CFB state is
2442 resynchronized at the beginning of each new MPI value, so that the
2443 CFB block boundary is aligned with the start of the MPI data.
2445 With V4 keys, a simpler method is used. All secret MPI values are
2446 encrypted in CFB mode, including the MPI bitcount prefix.
2448 The two-octet checksum that follows the algorithm-specific portion is
2449 the algebraic sum, mod 65536, of the plaintext of all the algorithm-
2450 specific octets (including MPI prefix and data). With V3 keys, the
2451 checksum is stored in the clear. With V4 keys, the checksum is
2452 encrypted like the algorithm-specific data. This value is used to
2453 check that the passphrase was correct. However, this checksum is
2454 deprecated; an implementation SHOULD NOT use it, but should rather
2455 use the SHA-1 hash denoted with a usage octet of 254. The reason for
2456 this is that there are some attacks that involve undetectably
2457 modifying the secret key.
2466 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 44]
2468 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2471 5.6. Compressed Data Packet (Tag 8)
2473 The Compressed Data packet contains compressed data. Typically, this
2474 packet is found as the contents of an encrypted packet, or following
2475 a Signature or One-Pass Signature packet, and contains a literal data
2478 The body of this packet consists of:
2480 - One octet that gives the algorithm used to compress the packet.
2482 - Compressed data, which makes up the remainder of the packet.
2484 A Compressed Data Packet's body contains an block that compresses
2485 some set of packets. See section "Packet Composition" for details on
2486 how messages are formed.
2488 ZIP-compressed packets are compressed with raw RFC 1951 [RFC1951]
2489 DEFLATE blocks. Note that PGP V2.6 uses 13 bits of compression. If
2490 an implementation uses more bits of compression, PGP V2.6 cannot
2493 ZLIB-compressed packets are compressed with RFC 1950 [RFC1950] ZLIB-
2496 BZip2-compressed packets are compressed using the BZip2 [BZ2]
2499 5.7. Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet (Tag 9)
2501 The Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet contains data encrypted with
2502 a symmetric-key algorithm. When it has been decrypted, it contains
2503 other packets (usually a literal data packet or compressed data
2504 packet, but in theory other Symmetrically Encrypted Data packets or
2505 sequences of packets that form whole OpenPGP messages).
2507 The body of this packet consists of:
2509 - Encrypted data, the output of the selected symmetric-key cipher
2510 operating in OpenPGP's variant of Cipher Feedback (CFB) mode.
2512 The symmetric cipher used may be specified in a Public-Key or
2513 Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packet that precedes the
2514 Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet. In that case, the cipher
2515 algorithm octet is prefixed to the session key before it is
2516 encrypted. If no packets of these types precede the encrypted data,
2517 the IDEA algorithm is used with the session key calculated as the MD5
2518 hash of the passphrase, though this use is deprecated.
2522 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 45]
2524 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2527 The data is encrypted in CFB mode, with a CFB shift size equal to the
2528 cipher's block size. The Initial Vector (IV) is specified as all
2529 zeros. Instead of using an IV, OpenPGP prefixes a string of length
2530 equal to the block size of the cipher plus two to the data before it
2531 is encrypted. The first block-size octets (for example, 8 octets for
2532 a 64-bit block length) are random, and the following two octets are
2533 copies of the last two octets of the IV. For example, in an 8-octet
2534 block, octet 9 is a repeat of octet 7, and octet 10 is a repeat of
2535 octet 8. In a cipher of length 16, octet 17 is a repeat of octet 15
2536 and octet 18 is a repeat of octet 16. As a pedantic clarification,
2537 in both these examples, we consider the first octet to be numbered 1.
2539 After encrypting the first block-size-plus-two octets, the CFB state
2540 is resynchronized. The last block-size octets of ciphertext are
2541 passed through the cipher and the block boundary is reset.
2543 The repetition of 16 bits in the random data prefixed to the message
2544 allows the receiver to immediately check whether the session key is
2545 incorrect. See the "Security Considerations" section for hints on
2546 the proper use of this "quick check".
2548 5.8. Marker Packet (Obsolete Literal Packet) (Tag 10)
2550 An experimental version of PGP used this packet as the Literal
2551 packet, but no released version of PGP generated Literal packets with
2552 this tag. With PGP 5.x, this packet has been reassigned and is
2553 reserved for use as the Marker packet.
2555 The body of this packet consists of:
2557 - The three octets 0x50, 0x47, 0x50 (which spell "PGP" in UTF-8).
2559 Such a packet MUST be ignored when received. It may be placed at the
2560 beginning of a message that uses features not available in PGP 2.6.x
2561 in order to cause that version to report that newer software is
2562 necessary to process the message.
2564 5.9. Literal Data Packet (Tag 11)
2566 A Literal Data packet contains the body of a message; data that is
2567 not to be further interpreted.
2569 The body of this packet consists of:
2571 - A one-octet field that describes how the data is formatted.
2578 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 46]
2580 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2583 If it is a 'b' (0x62), then the Literal packet contains binary data.
2584 If it is a 't' (0x74), then it contains text data, and thus may need
2585 line ends converted to local form, or other text-mode changes. The
2586 tag 'u' (0x75) means the same as 't', but also indicates that
2587 implementation believes that the literal data contains UTF-8 text.
2589 Early versions of PGP also defined a value of 'l' as a 'local' mode
2590 for machine-local conversions. RFC 1991 [RFC1991] incorrectly stated
2591 this local mode flag as '1' (ASCII numeral one). Both of these local
2592 modes are deprecated.
2594 - File name as a string (one-octet length, followed by a file
2595 name). This may be a zero-length string. Commonly, if the
2596 source of the encrypted data is a file, this will be the name of
2597 the encrypted file. An implementation MAY consider the file name
2598 in the Literal packet to be a more authoritative name than the
2601 If the special name "_CONSOLE" is used, the message is considered to
2602 be "for your eyes only". This advises that the message data is
2603 unusually sensitive, and the receiving program should process it more
2604 carefully, perhaps avoiding storing the received data to disk, for
2607 - A four-octet number that indicates a date associated with the
2608 literal data. Commonly, the date might be the modification date
2609 of a file, or the time the packet was created, or a zero that
2610 indicates no specific time.
2612 - The remainder of the packet is literal data.
2614 Text data is stored with <CR><LF> text endings (i.e., network-
2615 normal line endings). These should be converted to native line
2616 endings by the receiving software.
2618 5.10. Trust Packet (Tag 12)
2620 The Trust packet is used only within keyrings and is not normally
2621 exported. Trust packets contain data that record the user's
2622 specifications of which key holders are trustworthy introducers,
2623 along with other information that implementing software uses for
2624 trust information. The format of Trust packets is defined by a given
2627 Trust packets SHOULD NOT be emitted to output streams that are
2628 transferred to other users, and they SHOULD be ignored on any input
2629 other than local keyring files.
2634 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 47]
2636 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2639 5.11. User ID Packet (Tag 13)
2641 A User ID packet consists of UTF-8 text that is intended to represent
2642 the name and email address of the key holder. By convention, it
2643 includes an RFC 2822 [RFC2822] mail name-addr, but there are no
2644 restrictions on its content. The packet length in the header
2645 specifies the length of the User ID.
2647 5.12. User Attribute Packet (Tag 17)
2649 The User Attribute packet is a variation of the User ID packet. It
2650 is capable of storing more types of data than the User ID packet,
2651 which is limited to text. Like the User ID packet, a User Attribute
2652 packet may be certified by the key owner ("self-signed") or any other
2653 key owner who cares to certify it. Except as noted, a User Attribute
2654 packet may be used anywhere that a User ID packet may be used.
2656 While User Attribute packets are not a required part of the OpenPGP
2657 standard, implementations SHOULD provide at least enough
2658 compatibility to properly handle a certification signature on the
2659 User Attribute packet. A simple way to do this is by treating the
2660 User Attribute packet as a User ID packet with opaque contents, but
2661 an implementation may use any method desired.
2663 The User Attribute packet is made up of one or more attribute
2664 subpackets. Each subpacket consists of a subpacket header and a
2665 body. The header consists of:
2667 - the subpacket length (1, 2, or 5 octets)
2669 - the subpacket type (1 octet)
2671 and is followed by the subpacket specific data.
2673 The only currently defined subpacket type is 1, signifying an image.
2674 An implementation SHOULD ignore any subpacket of a type that it does
2675 not recognize. Subpacket types 100 through 110 are reserved for
2676 private or experimental use.
2678 5.12.1. The Image Attribute Subpacket
2680 The Image Attribute subpacket is used to encode an image, presumably
2681 (but not required to be) that of the key owner.
2683 The Image Attribute subpacket begins with an image header. The first
2684 two octets of the image header contain the length of the image
2685 header. Note that unlike other multi-octet numerical values in this
2686 document, due to a historical accident this value is encoded as a
2690 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 48]
2692 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2695 little-endian number. The image header length is followed by a
2696 single octet for the image header version. The only currently
2697 defined version of the image header is 1, which is a 16-octet image
2698 header. The first three octets of a version 1 image header are thus
2701 The fourth octet of a version 1 image header designates the encoding
2702 format of the image. The only currently defined encoding format is
2703 the value 1 to indicate JPEG. Image format types 100 through 110 are
2704 reserved for private or experimental use. The rest of the version 1
2705 image header is made up of 12 reserved octets, all of which MUST be
2708 The rest of the image subpacket contains the image itself. As the
2709 only currently defined image type is JPEG, the image is encoded in
2710 the JPEG File Interchange Format (JFIF), a standard file format for
2713 An implementation MAY try to determine the type of an image by
2714 examination of the image data if it is unable to handle a particular
2715 version of the image header or if a specified encoding format value
2718 5.13. Sym. Encrypted Integrity Protected Data Packet (Tag 18)
2720 The Symmetrically Encrypted Integrity Protected Data packet is a
2721 variant of the Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet. It is a new
2722 feature created for OpenPGP that addresses the problem of detecting a
2723 modification to encrypted data. It is used in combination with a
2724 Modification Detection Code packet.
2726 There is a corresponding feature in the features Signature subpacket
2727 that denotes that an implementation can properly use this packet
2728 type. An implementation MUST support decrypting these packets and
2729 SHOULD prefer generating them to the older Symmetrically Encrypted
2730 Data packet when possible. Since this data packet protects against
2731 modification attacks, this standard encourages its proliferation.
2732 While blanket adoption of this data packet would create
2733 interoperability problems, rapid adoption is nevertheless important.
2734 An implementation SHOULD specifically denote support for this packet,
2735 but it MAY infer it from other mechanisms.
2737 For example, an implementation might infer from the use of a cipher
2738 such as Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or Twofish that a user
2739 supports this feature. It might place in the unhashed portion of
2740 another user's key signature a Features subpacket. It might also
2741 present a user with an opportunity to regenerate their own self-
2742 signature with a Features subpacket.
2746 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 49]
2748 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2751 This packet contains data encrypted with a symmetric-key algorithm
2752 and protected against modification by the SHA-1 hash algorithm. When
2753 it has been decrypted, it will typically contain other packets (often
2754 a Literal Data packet or Compressed Data packet). The last decrypted
2755 packet in this packet's payload MUST be a Modification Detection Code
2758 The body of this packet consists of:
2760 - A one-octet version number. The only currently defined value is
2763 - Encrypted data, the output of the selected symmetric-key cipher
2764 operating in Cipher Feedback mode with shift amount equal to the
2765 block size of the cipher (CFB-n where n is the block size).
2767 The symmetric cipher used MUST be specified in a Public-Key or
2768 Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key packet that precedes the
2769 Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet. In either case, the cipher
2770 algorithm octet is prefixed to the session key before it is
2773 The data is encrypted in CFB mode, with a CFB shift size equal to the
2774 cipher's block size. The Initial Vector (IV) is specified as all
2775 zeros. Instead of using an IV, OpenPGP prefixes an octet string to
2776 the data before it is encrypted. The length of the octet string
2777 equals the block size of the cipher in octets, plus two. The first
2778 octets in the group, of length equal to the block size of the cipher,
2779 are random; the last two octets are each copies of their 2nd
2780 preceding octet. For example, with a cipher whose block size is 128
2781 bits or 16 octets, the prefix data will contain 16 random octets,
2782 then two more octets, which are copies of the 15th and 16th octets,
2783 respectively. Unlike the Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet, no
2784 special CFB resynchronization is done after encrypting this prefix
2785 data. See "OpenPGP CFB Mode" below for more details.
2787 The repetition of 16 bits in the random data prefixed to the message
2788 allows the receiver to immediately check whether the session key is
2791 The plaintext of the data to be encrypted is passed through the SHA-1
2792 hash function, and the result of the hash is appended to the
2793 plaintext in a Modification Detection Code packet. The input to the
2794 hash function includes the prefix data described above; it includes
2795 all of the plaintext, and then also includes two octets of values
2796 0xD3, 0x14. These represent the encoding of a Modification Detection
2797 Code packet tag and length field of 20 octets.
2802 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 50]
2804 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2807 The resulting hash value is stored in a Modification Detection Code
2808 (MDC) packet, which MUST use the two octet encoding just given to
2809 represent its tag and length field. The body of the MDC packet is
2810 the 20-octet output of the SHA-1 hash.
2812 The Modification Detection Code packet is appended to the plaintext
2813 and encrypted along with the plaintext using the same CFB context.
2815 During decryption, the plaintext data should be hashed with SHA-1,
2816 including the prefix data as well as the packet tag and length field
2817 of the Modification Detection Code packet. The body of the MDC
2818 packet, upon decryption, is compared with the result of the SHA-1
2821 Any failure of the MDC indicates that the message has been modified
2822 and MUST be treated as a security problem. Failures include a
2823 difference in the hash values, but also the absence of an MDC packet,
2824 or an MDC packet in any position other than the end of the plaintext.
2825 Any failure SHOULD be reported to the user.
2827 Note: future designs of new versions of this packet should consider
2828 rollback attacks since it will be possible for an attacker to change
2829 the version back to 1.
2831 NON-NORMATIVE EXPLANATION
2833 The MDC system, as packets 18 and 19 are called, were created to
2834 provide an integrity mechanism that is less strong than a
2835 signature, yet stronger than bare CFB encryption.
2837 It is a limitation of CFB encryption that damage to the ciphertext
2838 will corrupt the affected cipher blocks and the block following.
2839 Additionally, if data is removed from the end of a CFB-encrypted
2840 block, that removal is undetectable. (Note also that CBC mode has
2841 a similar limitation, but data removed from the front of the block
2844 The obvious way to protect or authenticate an encrypted block is
2845 to digitally sign it. However, many people do not wish to
2846 habitually sign data, for a large number of reasons beyond the
2847 scope of this document. Suffice it to say that many people
2848 consider properties such as deniability to be as valuable as
2851 OpenPGP addresses this desire to have more security than raw
2852 encryption and yet preserve deniability with the MDC system. An
2853 MDC is intentionally not a MAC. Its name was not selected by
2854 accident. It is analogous to a checksum.
2858 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 51]
2860 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2863 Despite the fact that it is a relatively modest system, it has
2864 proved itself in the real world. It is an effective defense to
2865 several attacks that have surfaced since it has been created. It
2866 has met its modest goals admirably.
2868 Consequently, because it is a modest security system, it has
2869 modest requirements on the hash function(s) it employs. It does
2870 not rely on a hash function being collision-free, it relies on a
2871 hash function being one-way. If a forger, Frank, wishes to send
2872 Alice a (digitally) unsigned message that says, "I've always
2873 secretly loved you, signed Bob", it is far easier for him to
2874 construct a new message than it is to modify anything intercepted
2875 from Bob. (Note also that if Bob wishes to communicate secretly
2876 with Alice, but without authentication or identification and with
2877 a threat model that includes forgers, he has a problem that
2878 transcends mere cryptography.)
2880 Note also that unlike nearly every other OpenPGP subsystem, there
2881 are no parameters in the MDC system. It hard-defines SHA-1 as its
2882 hash function. This is not an accident. It is an intentional
2883 choice to avoid downgrade and cross-grade attacks while making a
2884 simple, fast system. (A downgrade attack would be an attack that
2885 replaced SHA-256 with SHA-1, for example. A cross-grade attack
2886 would replace SHA-1 with another 160-bit hash, such as RIPE-
2887 MD/160, for example.)
2889 However, given the present state of hash function cryptanalysis
2890 and cryptography, it may be desirable to upgrade the MDC system to
2891 a new hash function. See Section 13.11 in the "IANA
2892 Considerations" for guidance.
2894 5.14. Modification Detection Code Packet (Tag 19)
2896 The Modification Detection Code packet contains a SHA-1 hash of
2897 plaintext data, which is used to detect message modification. It is
2898 only used with a Symmetrically Encrypted Integrity Protected Data
2899 packet. The Modification Detection Code packet MUST be the last
2900 packet in the plaintext data that is encrypted in the Symmetrically
2901 Encrypted Integrity Protected Data packet, and MUST appear in no
2904 A Modification Detection Code packet MUST have a length of 20 octets.
2914 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 52]
2916 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2919 The body of this packet consists of:
2921 - A 20-octet SHA-1 hash of the preceding plaintext data of the
2922 Symmetrically Encrypted Integrity Protected Data packet,
2923 including prefix data, the tag octet, and length octet of the
2924 Modification Detection Code packet.
2926 Note that the Modification Detection Code packet MUST always use a
2927 new format encoding of the packet tag, and a one-octet encoding of
2928 the packet length. The reason for this is that the hashing rules for
2929 modification detection include a one-octet tag and one-octet length
2930 in the data hash. While this is a bit restrictive, it reduces
2933 6. Radix-64 Conversions
2935 As stated in the introduction, OpenPGP's underlying native
2936 representation for objects is a stream of arbitrary octets, and some
2937 systems desire these objects to be immune to damage caused by
2938 character set translation, data conversions, etc.
2940 In principle, any printable encoding scheme that met the requirements
2941 of the unsafe channel would suffice, since it would not change the
2942 underlying binary bit streams of the native OpenPGP data structures.
2943 The OpenPGP standard specifies one such printable encoding scheme to
2944 ensure interoperability.
2946 OpenPGP's Radix-64 encoding is composed of two parts: a base64
2947 encoding of the binary data and a checksum. The base64 encoding is
2948 identical to the MIME base64 content-transfer-encoding [RFC2045].
2950 The checksum is a 24-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) converted to
2951 four characters of radix-64 encoding by the same MIME base64
2952 transformation, preceded by an equal sign (=). The CRC is computed
2953 by using the generator 0x864CFB and an initialization of 0xB704CE.
2954 The accumulation is done on the data before it is converted to
2955 radix-64, rather than on the converted data. A sample implementation
2956 of this algorithm is in the next section.
2958 The checksum with its leading equal sign MAY appear on the first line
2959 after the base64 encoded data.
2961 Rationale for CRC-24: The size of 24 bits fits evenly into printable
2962 base64. The nonzero initialization can detect more errors than a
2963 zero initialization.
2970 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 53]
2972 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
2975 6.1. An Implementation of the CRC-24 in "C"
2977 #define CRC24_INIT 0xB704CEL
2978 #define CRC24_POLY 0x1864CFBL
2981 crc24 crc_octets(unsigned char *octets, size_t len)
2983 crc24 crc = CRC24_INIT;
2986 crc ^= (*octets++) << 16;
2987 for (i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
2989 if (crc & 0x1000000)
2993 return crc & 0xFFFFFFL;
2996 6.2. Forming ASCII Armor
2998 When OpenPGP encodes data into ASCII Armor, it puts specific headers
2999 around the Radix-64 encoded data, so OpenPGP can reconstruct the data
3000 later. An OpenPGP implementation MAY use ASCII armor to protect raw
3001 binary data. OpenPGP informs the user what kind of data is encoded
3002 in the ASCII armor through the use of the headers.
3004 Concatenating the following data creates ASCII Armor:
3006 - An Armor Header Line, appropriate for the type of data
3010 - A blank (zero-length, or containing only whitespace) line
3012 - The ASCII-Armored data
3016 - The Armor Tail, which depends on the Armor Header Line
3018 An Armor Header Line consists of the appropriate header line text
3019 surrounded by five (5) dashes ('-', 0x2D) on either side of the
3020 header line text. The header line text is chosen based upon the type
3021 of data that is being encoded in Armor, and how it is being encoded.
3022 Header line texts include the following strings:
3026 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 54]
3028 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3032 Used for signed, encrypted, or compressed files.
3034 BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK
3035 Used for armoring public keys.
3037 BEGIN PGP PRIVATE KEY BLOCK
3038 Used for armoring private keys.
3040 BEGIN PGP MESSAGE, PART X/Y
3041 Used for multi-part messages, where the armor is split amongst Y
3042 parts, and this is the Xth part out of Y.
3044 BEGIN PGP MESSAGE, PART X
3045 Used for multi-part messages, where this is the Xth part of an
3046 unspecified number of parts. Requires the MESSAGE-ID Armor
3050 Used for detached signatures, OpenPGP/MIME signatures, and
3051 cleartext signatures. Note that PGP 2.x uses BEGIN PGP MESSAGE
3052 for detached signatures.
3054 Note that all these Armor Header Lines are to consist of a complete
3055 line. That is to say, there is always a line ending preceding the
3056 starting five dashes, and following the ending five dashes. The
3057 header lines, therefore, MUST start at the beginning of a line, and
3058 MUST NOT have text other than whitespace following them on the same
3059 line. These line endings are considered a part of the Armor Header
3060 Line for the purposes of determining the content they delimit. This
3061 is particularly important when computing a cleartext signature (see
3064 The Armor Headers are pairs of strings that can give the user or the
3065 receiving OpenPGP implementation some information about how to decode
3066 or use the message. The Armor Headers are a part of the armor, not a
3067 part of the message, and hence are not protected by any signatures
3068 applied to the message.
3070 The format of an Armor Header is that of a key-value pair. A colon
3071 (':' 0x38) and a single space (0x20) separate the key and value.
3072 OpenPGP should consider improperly formatted Armor Headers to be
3073 corruption of the ASCII Armor. Unknown keys should be reported to
3074 the user, but OpenPGP should continue to process the message.
3076 Note that some transport methods are sensitive to line length. While
3077 there is a limit of 76 characters for the Radix-64 data (Section
3078 6.3), there is no limit to the length of Armor Headers. Care should
3082 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 55]
3084 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3087 be taken that the Armor Headers are short enough to survive
3088 transport. One way to do this is to repeat an Armor Header key
3089 multiple times with different values for each so that no one line is
3092 Currently defined Armor Header Keys are as follows:
3094 - "Version", which states the OpenPGP implementation and version
3095 used to encode the message.
3097 - "Comment", a user-defined comment. OpenPGP defines all text to
3098 be in UTF-8. A comment may be any UTF-8 string. However, the
3099 whole point of armoring is to provide seven-bit-clean data.
3100 Consequently, if a comment has characters that are outside the
3101 US-ASCII range of UTF, they may very well not survive transport.
3103 - "MessageID", a 32-character string of printable characters. The
3104 string must be the same for all parts of a multi-part message
3105 that uses the "PART X" Armor Header. MessageID strings should be
3106 unique enough that the recipient of the mail can associate all
3107 the parts of a message with each other. A good checksum or
3108 cryptographic hash function is sufficient.
3110 The MessageID SHOULD NOT appear unless it is in a multi-part
3111 message. If it appears at all, it MUST be computed from the
3112 finished (encrypted, signed, etc.) message in a deterministic
3113 fashion, rather than contain a purely random value. This is to
3114 allow the legitimate recipient to determine that the MessageID
3115 cannot serve as a covert means of leaking cryptographic key
3118 - "Hash", a comma-separated list of hash algorithms used in this
3119 message. This is used only in cleartext signed messages.
3121 - "Charset", a description of the character set that the plaintext
3122 is in. Please note that OpenPGP defines text to be in UTF-8. An
3123 implementation will get best results by translating into and out
3124 of UTF-8. However, there are many instances where this is easier
3125 said than done. Also, there are communities of users who have no
3126 need for UTF-8 because they are all happy with a character set
3127 like ISO Latin-5 or a Japanese character set. In such instances,
3128 an implementation MAY override the UTF-8 default by using this
3129 header key. An implementation MAY implement this key and any
3130 translations it cares to; an implementation MAY ignore it and
3131 assume all text is UTF-8.
3138 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 56]
3140 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3143 The Armor Tail Line is composed in the same manner as the Armor
3144 Header Line, except the string "BEGIN" is replaced by the string
3147 6.3. Encoding Binary in Radix-64
3149 The encoding process represents 24-bit groups of input bits as output
3150 strings of 4 encoded characters. Proceeding from left to right, a
3151 24-bit input group is formed by concatenating three 8-bit input
3152 groups. These 24 bits are then treated as four concatenated 6-bit
3153 groups, each of which is translated into a single digit in the
3154 Radix-64 alphabet. When encoding a bit stream with the Radix-64
3155 encoding, the bit stream must be presumed to be ordered with the most
3156 significant bit first. That is, the first bit in the stream will be
3157 the high-order bit in the first 8-bit octet, and the eighth bit will
3158 be the low-order bit in the first 8-bit octet, and so on.
3160 +--first octet--+-second octet--+--third octet--+
3161 |7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0|7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0|7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0|
3162 +-----------+---+-------+-------+---+-----------+
3163 |5 4 3 2 1 0|5 4 3 2 1 0|5 4 3 2 1 0|5 4 3 2 1 0|
3164 +--1.index--+--2.index--+--3.index--+--4.index--+
3166 Each 6-bit group is used as an index into an array of 64 printable
3167 characters from the table below. The character referenced by the
3168 index is placed in the output string.
3170 Value Encoding Value Encoding Value Encoding Value Encoding
3185 14 O 31 f 48 w (pad) =
3189 The encoded output stream must be represented in lines of no more
3190 than 76 characters each.
3194 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 57]
3196 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3199 Special processing is performed if fewer than 24 bits are available
3200 at the end of the data being encoded. There are three possibilities:
3202 1. The last data group has 24 bits (3 octets). No special processing
3205 2. The last data group has 16 bits (2 octets). The first two 6-bit
3206 groups are processed as above. The third (incomplete) data group
3207 has two zero-value bits added to it, and is processed as above. A
3208 pad character (=) is added to the output.
3210 3. The last data group has 8 bits (1 octet). The first 6-bit group
3211 is processed as above. The second (incomplete) data group has
3212 four zero-value bits added to it, and is processed as above. Two
3213 pad characters (=) are added to the output.
3215 6.4. Decoding Radix-64
3217 In Radix-64 data, characters other than those in the table, line
3218 breaks, and other white space probably indicate a transmission error,
3219 about which a warning message or even a message rejection might be
3220 appropriate under some circumstances. Decoding software must ignore
3223 Because it is used only for padding at the end of the data, the
3224 occurrence of any "=" characters may be taken as evidence that the
3225 end of the data has been reached (without truncation in transit). No
3226 such assurance is possible, however, when the number of octets
3227 transmitted was a multiple of three and no "=" characters are
3250 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 58]
3252 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3255 6.5. Examples of Radix-64
3257 Input data: 0x14FB9C03D97E
3258 Hex: 1 4 F B 9 C | 0 3 D 9 7 E
3259 8-bit: 00010100 11111011 10011100 | 00000011 11011001 11111110
3260 6-bit: 000101 001111 101110 011100 | 000000 111101 100111 111110
3261 Decimal: 5 15 46 28 0 61 37 62
3262 Output: F P u c A 9 l +
3263 Input data: 0x14FB9C03D9
3264 Hex: 1 4 F B 9 C | 0 3 D 9
3265 8-bit: 00010100 11111011 10011100 | 00000011 11011001
3267 6-bit: 000101 001111 101110 011100 | 000000 111101 100100
3268 Decimal: 5 15 46 28 0 61 36
3270 Output: F P u c A 9 k =
3271 Input data: 0x14FB9C03
3272 Hex: 1 4 F B 9 C | 0 3
3273 8-bit: 00010100 11111011 10011100 | 00000011
3275 6-bit: 000101 001111 101110 011100 | 000000 110000
3276 Decimal: 5 15 46 28 0 48
3278 Output: F P u c A w = =
3280 6.6. Example of an ASCII Armored Message
3282 -----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----
3283 Version: OpenPrivacy 0.99
3285 yDgBO22WxBHv7O8X7O/jygAEzol56iUKiXmV+XmpCtmpqQUKiQrFqclFqUDBovzS
3288 -----END PGP MESSAGE-----
3290 Note that this example has extra indenting; an actual armored message
3291 would have no leading whitespace.
3293 7. Cleartext Signature Framework
3295 It is desirable to be able to sign a textual octet stream without
3296 ASCII armoring the stream itself, so the signed text is still
3297 readable without special software. In order to bind a signature to
3298 such a cleartext, this framework is used. (Note that this framework
3299 is not intended to be reversible. RFC 3156 [RFC3156] defines another
3300 way to sign cleartext messages for environments that support MIME.)
3306 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 59]
3308 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3311 The cleartext signed message consists of:
3313 - The cleartext header '-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----' on a
3316 - One or more "Hash" Armor Headers,
3318 - Exactly one empty line not included into the message digest,
3320 - The dash-escaped cleartext that is included into the message
3323 - The ASCII armored signature(s) including the '-----BEGIN PGP
3324 SIGNATURE-----' Armor Header and Armor Tail Lines.
3326 If the "Hash" Armor Header is given, the specified message digest
3327 algorithm(s) are used for the signature. If there are no such
3328 headers, MD5 is used. If MD5 is the only hash used, then an
3329 implementation MAY omit this header for improved V2.x compatibility.
3330 If more than one message digest is used in the signature, the "Hash"
3331 armor header contains a comma-delimited list of used message digests.
3333 Current message digest names are described below with the algorithm
3336 An implementation SHOULD add a line break after the cleartext, but
3337 MAY omit it if the cleartext ends with a line break. This is for
3340 7.1. Dash-Escaped Text
3342 The cleartext content of the message must also be dash-escaped.
3344 Dash-escaped cleartext is the ordinary cleartext where every line
3345 starting with a dash '-' (0x2D) is prefixed by the sequence dash '-'
3346 (0x2D) and space ' ' (0x20). This prevents the parser from
3347 recognizing armor headers of the cleartext itself. An implementation
3348 MAY dash-escape any line, SHOULD dash-escape lines commencing "From"
3349 followed by a space, and MUST dash-escape any line commencing in a
3350 dash. The message digest is computed using the cleartext itself, not
3351 the dash-escaped form.
3353 As with binary signatures on text documents, a cleartext signature is
3354 calculated on the text using canonical <CR><LF> line endings. The
3355 line ending (i.e., the <CR><LF>) before the '-----BEGIN PGP
3356 SIGNATURE-----' line that terminates the signed text is not
3357 considered part of the signed text.
3362 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 60]
3364 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3367 When reversing dash-escaping, an implementation MUST strip the string
3368 "- " if it occurs at the beginning of a line, and SHOULD warn on "-"
3369 and any character other than a space at the beginning of a line.
3371 Also, any trailing whitespace -- spaces (0x20) and tabs (0x09) -- at
3372 the end of any line is removed when the cleartext signature is
3375 8. Regular Expressions
3377 A regular expression is zero or more branches, separated by '|'. It
3378 matches anything that matches one of the branches.
3380 A branch is zero or more pieces, concatenated. It matches a match
3381 for the first, followed by a match for the second, etc.
3383 A piece is an atom possibly followed by '*', '+', or '?'. An atom
3384 followed by '*' matches a sequence of 0 or more matches of the atom.
3385 An atom followed by '+' matches a sequence of 1 or more matches of
3386 the atom. An atom followed by '?' matches a match of the atom, or
3389 An atom is a regular expression in parentheses (matching a match for
3390 the regular expression), a range (see below), '.' (matching any
3391 single character), '^' (matching the null string at the beginning of
3392 the input string), '$' (matching the null string at the end of the
3393 input string), a '\' followed by a single character (matching that
3394 character), or a single character with no other significance
3395 (matching that character).
3397 A range is a sequence of characters enclosed in '[]'. It normally
3398 matches any single character from the sequence. If the sequence
3399 begins with '^', it matches any single character not from the rest of
3400 the sequence. If two characters in the sequence are separated
3401 by '-', this is shorthand for the full list of ASCII characters
3402 between them (e.g., '[0-9]' matches any decimal digit). To include a
3403 literal ']' in the sequence, make it the first character (following a
3404 possible '^'). To include a literal '-', make it the first or last
3409 This section describes the constants used in OpenPGP.
3411 Note that these tables are not exhaustive lists; an implementation
3412 MAY implement an algorithm not on these lists, so long as the
3413 algorithm numbers are chosen from the private or experimental
3418 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 61]
3420 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3423 See the section "Notes on Algorithms" below for more discussion of
3426 9.1. Public-Key Algorithms
3430 1 - RSA (Encrypt or Sign) [HAC]
3431 2 - RSA Encrypt-Only [HAC]
3432 3 - RSA Sign-Only [HAC]
3433 16 - Elgamal (Encrypt-Only) [ELGAMAL] [HAC]
3434 17 - DSA (Digital Signature Algorithm) [FIPS186] [HAC]
3435 18 - Reserved for Elliptic Curve
3436 19 - Reserved for ECDSA
3437 20 - Reserved (formerly Elgamal Encrypt or Sign)
3438 21 - Reserved for Diffie-Hellman (X9.42,
3439 as defined for IETF-S/MIME)
3440 100 to 110 - Private/Experimental algorithm
3442 Implementations MUST implement DSA for signatures, and Elgamal for
3443 encryption. Implementations SHOULD implement RSA keys (1). RSA
3444 Encrypt-Only (2) and RSA Sign-Only are deprecated and SHOULD NOT be
3445 generated, but may be interpreted. See Section 13.5. See Section
3446 13.8 for notes on Elliptic Curve (18), ECDSA (19), Elgamal Encrypt or
3447 Sign (20), and X9.42 (21). Implementations MAY implement any other
3450 9.2. Symmetric-Key Algorithms
3454 0 - Plaintext or unencrypted data
3456 2 - TripleDES (DES-EDE, [SCHNEIER] [HAC] -
3457 168 bit key derived from 192)
3458 3 - CAST5 (128 bit key, as per [RFC2144])
3459 4 - Blowfish (128 bit key, 16 rounds) [BLOWFISH]
3462 7 - AES with 128-bit key [AES]
3463 8 - AES with 192-bit key
3464 9 - AES with 256-bit key
3465 10 - Twofish with 256-bit key [TWOFISH]
3466 100 to 110 - Private/Experimental algorithm
3468 Implementations MUST implement TripleDES. Implementations SHOULD
3469 implement AES-128 and CAST5. Implementations that interoperate with
3474 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 62]
3476 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3479 PGP 2.6 or earlier need to support IDEA, as that is the only
3480 symmetric cipher those versions use. Implementations MAY implement
3481 any other algorithm.
3483 9.3. Compression Algorithms
3491 100 to 110 - Private/Experimental algorithm
3493 Implementations MUST implement uncompressed data. Implementations
3494 SHOULD implement ZIP. Implementations MAY implement any other
3497 9.4. Hash Algorithms
3499 ID Algorithm Text Name
3500 -- --------- ---------
3502 2 - SHA-1 [FIPS180] "SHA1"
3503 3 - RIPE-MD/160 [HAC] "RIPEMD160"
3508 8 - SHA256 [FIPS180] "SHA256"
3509 9 - SHA384 [FIPS180] "SHA384"
3510 10 - SHA512 [FIPS180] "SHA512"
3511 11 - SHA224 [FIPS180] "SHA224"
3512 100 to 110 - Private/Experimental algorithm
3514 Implementations MUST implement SHA-1. Implementations MAY implement
3515 other algorithms. MD5 is deprecated.
3517 10. IANA Considerations
3519 OpenPGP is highly parameterized, and consequently there are a number
3520 of considerations for allocating parameters for extensions. This
3521 section describes how IANA should look at extensions to the protocol
3522 as described in this document.
3530 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 63]
3532 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3535 10.1. New String-to-Key Specifier Types
3537 OpenPGP S2K specifiers contain a mechanism for new algorithms to turn
3538 a string into a key. This specification creates a registry of S2K
3539 specifier types. The registry includes the S2K type, the name of the
3540 S2K, and a reference to the defining specification. The initial
3541 values for this registry can be found in Section 3.7.1. Adding a new
3542 S2K specifier MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as
3543 described in [RFC2434].
3547 Major new features of OpenPGP are defined through new packet types.
3548 This specification creates a registry of packet types. The registry
3549 includes the packet type, the name of the packet, and a reference to
3550 the defining specification. The initial values for this registry can
3551 be found in Section 4.3. Adding a new packet type MUST be done
3552 through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3554 10.2.1. User Attribute Types
3556 The User Attribute packet permits an extensible mechanism for other
3557 types of certificate identification. This specification creates a
3558 registry of User Attribute types. The registry includes the User
3559 Attribute type, the name of the User Attribute, and a reference to
3560 the defining specification. The initial values for this registry can
3561 be found in Section 5.12. Adding a new User Attribute type MUST be
3562 done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3564 10.2.1.1. Image Format Subpacket Types
3566 Within User Attribute packets, there is an extensible mechanism for
3567 other types of image-based user attributes. This specification
3568 creates a registry of Image Attribute subpacket types. The registry
3569 includes the Image Attribute subpacket type, the name of the Image
3570 Attribute subpacket, and a reference to the defining specification.
3571 The initial values for this registry can be found in Section 5.12.1.
3572 Adding a new Image Attribute subpacket type MUST be done through the
3573 IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3575 10.2.2. New Signature Subpackets
3577 OpenPGP signatures contain a mechanism for signed (or unsigned) data
3578 to be added to them for a variety of purposes in the Signature
3579 subpackets as discussed in Section 5.2.3.1. This specification
3580 creates a registry of Signature subpacket types. The registry
3581 includes the Signature subpacket type, the name of the subpacket, and
3582 a reference to the defining specification. The initial values for
3586 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 64]
3588 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3591 this registry can be found in Section 5.2.3.1. Adding a new
3592 Signature subpacket MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method,
3593 as described in [RFC2434].
3595 10.2.2.1. Signature Notation Data Subpackets
3597 OpenPGP signatures further contain a mechanism for extensions in
3598 signatures. These are the Notation Data subpackets, which contain a
3599 key/value pair. Notations contain a user space that is completely
3600 unmanaged and an IETF space.
3602 This specification creates a registry of Signature Notation Data
3603 types. The registry includes the Signature Notation Data type, the
3604 name of the Signature Notation Data, its allowed values, and a
3605 reference to the defining specification. The initial values for this
3606 registry can be found in Section 5.2.3.16. Adding a new Signature
3607 Notation Data subpacket MUST be done through the EXPERT REVIEW
3608 method, as described in [RFC2434].
3610 10.2.2.2. Key Server Preference Extensions
3612 OpenPGP signatures contain a mechanism for preferences to be
3613 specified about key servers. This specification creates a registry
3614 of key server preferences. The registry includes the key server
3615 preference, the name of the preference, and a reference to the
3616 defining specification. The initial values for this registry can be
3617 found in Section 5.2.3.17. Adding a new key server preference MUST
3618 be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3620 10.2.2.3. Key Flags Extensions
3622 OpenPGP signatures contain a mechanism for flags to be specified
3623 about key usage. This specification creates a registry of key usage
3624 flags. The registry includes the key flags value, the name of the
3625 flag, and a reference to the defining specification. The initial
3626 values for this registry can be found in Section 5.2.3.21. Adding a
3627 new key usage flag MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as
3628 described in [RFC2434].
3630 10.2.2.4. Reason for Revocation Extensions
3632 OpenPGP signatures contain a mechanism for flags to be specified
3633 about why a key was revoked. This specification creates a registry
3634 of "Reason for Revocation" flags. The registry includes the "Reason
3635 for Revocation" flags value, the name of the flag, and a reference to
3636 the defining specification. The initial values for this registry can
3637 be found in Section 5.2.3.23. Adding a new feature flag MUST be done
3638 through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3642 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 65]
3644 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3647 10.2.2.5. Implementation Features
3649 OpenPGP signatures contain a mechanism for flags to be specified
3650 stating which optional features an implementation supports. This
3651 specification creates a registry of feature-implementation flags.
3652 The registry includes the feature-implementation flags value, the
3653 name of the flag, and a reference to the defining specification. The
3654 initial values for this registry can be found in Section 5.2.3.24.
3655 Adding a new feature-implementation flag MUST be done through the
3656 IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3658 Also see Section 13.12 for more information about when feature flags
3661 10.2.3. New Packet Versions
3663 The core OpenPGP packets all have version numbers, and can be revised
3664 by introducing a new version of an existing packet. This
3665 specification creates a registry of packet types. The registry
3666 includes the packet type, the number of the version, and a reference
3667 to the defining specification. The initial values for this registry
3668 can be found in Section 5. Adding a new packet version MUST be done
3669 through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as described in [RFC2434].
3671 10.3. New Algorithms
3673 Section 9 lists the core algorithms that OpenPGP uses. Adding in a
3674 new algorithm is usually simple. For example, adding in a new
3675 symmetric cipher usually would not need anything more than allocating
3676 a constant for that cipher. If that cipher had other than a 64-bit
3677 or 128-bit block size, there might need to be additional
3678 documentation describing how OpenPGP-CFB mode would be adjusted.
3679 Similarly, when DSA was expanded from a maximum of 1024-bit public
3680 keys to 3072-bit public keys, the revision of FIPS 186 contained
3681 enough information itself to allow implementation. Changes to this
3682 document were made mainly for emphasis.
3684 10.3.1. Public-Key Algorithms
3686 OpenPGP specifies a number of public-key algorithms. This
3687 specification creates a registry of public-key algorithm identifiers.
3688 The registry includes the algorithm name, its key sizes and
3689 parameters, and a reference to the defining specification. The
3690 initial values for this registry can be found in Section 9. Adding a
3691 new public-key algorithm MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS
3692 method, as described in [RFC2434].
3698 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 66]
3700 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3703 10.3.2. Symmetric-Key Algorithms
3705 OpenPGP specifies a number of symmetric-key algorithms. This
3706 specification creates a registry of symmetric-key algorithm
3707 identifiers. The registry includes the algorithm name, its key sizes
3708 and block size, and a reference to the defining specification. The
3709 initial values for this registry can be found in Section 9. Adding a
3710 new symmetric-key algorithm MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS
3711 method, as described in [RFC2434].
3713 10.3.3. Hash Algorithms
3715 OpenPGP specifies a number of hash algorithms. This specification
3716 creates a registry of hash algorithm identifiers. The registry
3717 includes the algorithm name, a text representation of that name, its
3718 block size, an OID hash prefix, and a reference to the defining
3719 specification. The initial values for this registry can be found in
3720 Section 9 for the algorithm identifiers and text names, and Section
3721 5.2.2 for the OIDs and expanded signature prefixes. Adding a new
3722 hash algorithm MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as
3723 described in [RFC2434].
3725 10.3.4. Compression Algorithms
3727 OpenPGP specifies a number of compression algorithms. This
3728 specification creates a registry of compression algorithm
3729 identifiers. The registry includes the algorithm name and a
3730 reference to the defining specification. The initial values for this
3731 registry can be found in Section 9.3. Adding a new compression key
3732 algorithm MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS method, as
3733 described in [RFC2434].
3735 11. Packet Composition
3737 OpenPGP packets are assembled into sequences in order to create
3738 messages and to transfer keys. Not all possible packet sequences are
3739 meaningful and correct. This section describes the rules for how
3740 packets should be placed into sequences.
3742 11.1. Transferable Public Keys
3744 OpenPGP users may transfer public keys. The essential elements of a
3745 transferable public key are as follows:
3747 - One Public-Key packet
3749 - Zero or more revocation signatures
3754 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 67]
3756 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3759 - One or more User ID packets
3761 - After each User ID packet, zero or more Signature packets
3764 - Zero or more User Attribute packets
3766 - After each User Attribute packet, zero or more Signature packets
3769 - Zero or more Subkey packets
3771 - After each Subkey packet, one Signature packet, plus optionally a
3774 The Public-Key packet occurs first. Each of the following User ID
3775 packets provides the identity of the owner of this public key. If
3776 there are multiple User ID packets, this corresponds to multiple
3777 means of identifying the same unique individual user; for example, a
3778 user may have more than one email address, and construct a User ID
3781 Immediately following each User ID packet, there are zero or more
3782 Signature packets. Each Signature packet is calculated on the
3783 immediately preceding User ID packet and the initial Public-Key
3784 packet. The signature serves to certify the corresponding public key
3785 and User ID. In effect, the signer is testifying to his or her
3786 belief that this public key belongs to the user identified by this
3789 Within the same section as the User ID packets, there are zero or
3790 more User Attribute packets. Like the User ID packets, a User
3791 Attribute packet is followed by zero or more Signature packets
3792 calculated on the immediately preceding User Attribute packet and the
3793 initial Public-Key packet.
3795 User Attribute packets and User ID packets may be freely intermixed
3796 in this section, so long as the signatures that follow them are
3797 maintained on the proper User Attribute or User ID packet.
3799 After the User ID packet or Attribute packet, there may be zero or
3800 more Subkey packets. In general, subkeys are provided in cases where
3801 the top-level public key is a signature-only key. However, any V4
3802 key may have subkeys, and the subkeys may be encryption-only keys,
3803 signature-only keys, or general-purpose keys. V3 keys MUST NOT have
3810 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 68]
3812 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3815 Each Subkey packet MUST be followed by one Signature packet, which
3816 should be a subkey binding signature issued by the top-level key.
3817 For subkeys that can issue signatures, the subkey binding signature
3818 MUST contain an Embedded Signature subpacket with a primary key
3819 binding signature (0x19) issued by the subkey on the top-level key.
3821 Subkey and Key packets may each be followed by a revocation Signature
3822 packet to indicate that the key is revoked. Revocation signatures
3823 are only accepted if they are issued by the key itself, or by a key
3824 that is authorized to issue revocations via a Revocation Key
3825 subpacket in a self-signature by the top-level key.
3827 Transferable public-key packet sequences may be concatenated to allow
3828 transferring multiple public keys in one operation.
3830 11.2. Transferable Secret Keys
3832 OpenPGP users may transfer secret keys. The format of a transferable
3833 secret key is the same as a transferable public key except that
3834 secret-key and secret-subkey packets are used instead of the public
3835 key and public-subkey packets. Implementations SHOULD include self-
3836 signatures on any user IDs and subkeys, as this allows for a complete
3837 public key to be automatically extracted from the transferable secret
3838 key. Implementations MAY choose to omit the self-signatures,
3839 especially if a transferable public key accompanies the transferable
3842 11.3. OpenPGP Messages
3844 An OpenPGP message is a packet or sequence of packets that
3845 corresponds to the following grammatical rules (comma represents
3846 sequential composition, and vertical bar separates alternatives):
3848 OpenPGP Message :- Encrypted Message | Signed Message |
3849 Compressed Message | Literal Message.
3851 Compressed Message :- Compressed Data Packet.
3853 Literal Message :- Literal Data Packet.
3855 ESK :- Public-Key Encrypted Session Key Packet |
3856 Symmetric-Key Encrypted Session Key Packet.
3858 ESK Sequence :- ESK | ESK Sequence, ESK.
3860 Encrypted Data :- Symmetrically Encrypted Data Packet |
3861 Symmetrically Encrypted Integrity Protected Data Packet
3866 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 69]
3868 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3871 Encrypted Message :- Encrypted Data | ESK Sequence, Encrypted Data.
3873 One-Pass Signed Message :- One-Pass Signature Packet,
3874 OpenPGP Message, Corresponding Signature Packet.
3876 Signed Message :- Signature Packet, OpenPGP Message |
3877 One-Pass Signed Message.
3879 In addition, decrypting a Symmetrically Encrypted Data packet or a
3880 Symmetrically Encrypted Integrity Protected Data packet as well as
3881 decompressing a Compressed Data packet must yield a valid OpenPGP
3884 11.4. Detached Signatures
3886 Some OpenPGP applications use so-called "detached signatures". For
3887 example, a program bundle may contain a file, and with it a second
3888 file that is a detached signature of the first file. These detached
3889 signatures are simply a Signature packet stored separately from the
3890 data for which they are a signature.
3892 12. Enhanced Key Formats
3894 12.1. Key Structures
3896 The format of an OpenPGP V3 key is as follows. Entries in square
3897 brackets are optional and ellipses indicate repetition.
3900 [Revocation Self Signature]
3901 User ID [Signature ...]
3902 [User ID [Signature ...] ...]
3904 Each signature certifies the RSA public key and the preceding User
3905 ID. The RSA public key can have many User IDs and each User ID can
3906 have many signatures. V3 keys are deprecated. Implementations MUST
3907 NOT generate new V3 keys, but MAY continue to use existing ones.
3909 The format of an OpenPGP V4 key that uses multiple public keys is
3910 similar except that the other keys are added to the end as "subkeys"
3922 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 70]
3924 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3928 [Revocation Self Signature]
3929 [Direct Key Signature...]
3930 User ID [Signature ...]
3931 [User ID [Signature ...] ...]
3932 [User Attribute [Signature ...] ...]
3933 [[Subkey [Binding-Signature-Revocation]
3934 Primary-Key-Binding-Signature] ...]
3936 A subkey always has a single signature after it that is issued using
3937 the primary key to tie the two keys together. This binding signature
3938 may be in either V3 or V4 format, but SHOULD be V4. Subkeys that can
3939 issue signatures MUST have a V4 binding signature due to the REQUIRED
3940 embedded primary key binding signature.
3942 In the above diagram, if the binding signature of a subkey has been
3943 revoked, the revoked key may be removed, leaving only one key.
3945 In a V4 key, the primary key MUST be a key capable of certification.
3946 The subkeys may be keys of any other type. There may be other
3947 constructions of V4 keys, too. For example, there may be a single-
3948 key RSA key in V4 format, a DSA primary key with an RSA encryption
3949 key, or RSA primary key with an Elgamal subkey, etc.
3951 It is also possible to have a signature-only subkey. This permits a
3952 primary key that collects certifications (key signatures), but is
3953 used only for certifying subkeys that are used for encryption and
3956 12.2. Key IDs and Fingerprints
3958 For a V3 key, the eight-octet Key ID consists of the low 64 bits of
3959 the public modulus of the RSA key.
3961 The fingerprint of a V3 key is formed by hashing the body (but not
3962 the two-octet length) of the MPIs that form the key material (public
3963 modulus n, followed by exponent e) with MD5. Note that both V3 keys
3964 and MD5 are deprecated.
3966 A V4 fingerprint is the 160-bit SHA-1 hash of the octet 0x99,
3967 followed by the two-octet packet length, followed by the entire
3968 Public-Key packet starting with the version field. The Key ID is the
3969 low-order 64 bits of the fingerprint. Here are the fields of the
3970 hash material, with the example of a DSA key:
3974 a.2) high-order length octet of (b)-(e) (1 octet)
3978 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 71]
3980 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
3983 a.3) low-order length octet of (b)-(e) (1 octet)
3985 b) version number = 4 (1 octet);
3987 c) timestamp of key creation (4 octets);
3989 d) algorithm (1 octet): 17 = DSA (example);
3991 e) Algorithm-specific fields.
3993 Algorithm-Specific Fields for DSA keys (example):
3995 e.1) MPI of DSA prime p;
3997 e.2) MPI of DSA group order q (q is a prime divisor of p-1);
3999 e.3) MPI of DSA group generator g;
4001 e.4) MPI of DSA public-key value y (= g**x mod p where x is secret).
4003 Note that it is possible for there to be collisions of Key IDs -- two
4004 different keys with the same Key ID. Note that there is a much
4005 smaller, but still non-zero, probability that two different keys have
4006 the same fingerprint.
4008 Also note that if V3 and V4 format keys share the same RSA key
4009 material, they will have different Key IDs as well as different
4012 Finally, the Key ID and fingerprint of a subkey are calculated in the
4013 same way as for a primary key, including the 0x99 as the first octet
4014 (even though this is not a valid packet ID for a public subkey).
4016 13. Notes on Algorithms
4018 13.1. PKCS#1 Encoding in OpenPGP
4020 This standard makes use of the PKCS#1 functions EME-PKCS1-v1_5 and
4021 EMSA-PKCS1-v1_5. However, the calling conventions of these functions
4022 has changed in the past. To avoid potential confusion and
4023 interoperability problems, we are including local copies in this
4024 document, adapted from those in PKCS#1 v2.1 [RFC3447]. RFC 3447
4025 should be treated as the ultimate authority on PKCS#1 for OpenPGP.
4026 Nonetheless, we believe that there is value in having a self-
4027 contained document that avoids problems in the future with needed
4028 changes in the conventions.
4034 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 72]
4036 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4039 13.1.1. EME-PKCS1-v1_5-ENCODE
4043 k = the length in octets of the key modulus
4045 M = message to be encoded, an octet string of length mLen, where
4050 EM = encoded message, an octet string of length k
4052 Error: "message too long"
4054 1. Length checking: If mLen > k - 11, output "message too long" and
4057 2. Generate an octet string PS of length k - mLen - 3 consisting of
4058 pseudo-randomly generated nonzero octets. The length of PS will
4059 be at least eight octets.
4061 3. Concatenate PS, the message M, and other padding to form an
4062 encoded message EM of length k octets as
4064 EM = 0x00 || 0x02 || PS || 0x00 || M.
4068 13.1.2. EME-PKCS1-v1_5-DECODE
4072 EM = encoded message, an octet string
4076 M = message, an octet string
4078 Error: "decryption error"
4080 To decode an EME-PKCS1_v1_5 message, separate the encoded message EM
4081 into an octet string PS consisting of nonzero octets and a message M
4084 EM = 0x00 || 0x02 || PS || 0x00 || M.
4090 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 73]
4092 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4095 If the first octet of EM does not have hexadecimal value 0x00, if the
4096 second octet of EM does not have hexadecimal value 0x02, if there is
4097 no octet with hexadecimal value 0x00 to separate PS from M, or if the
4098 length of PS is less than 8 octets, output "decryption error" and
4099 stop. See also the security note in Section 14 regarding differences
4100 in reporting between a decryption error and a padding error.
4102 13.1.3. EMSA-PKCS1-v1_5
4104 This encoding method is deterministic and only has an encoding
4109 Hash - a hash function in which hLen denotes the length in octets of
4110 the hash function output
4114 M = message to be encoded
4116 mL = intended length in octets of the encoded message, at least tLen
4117 + 11, where tLen is the octet length of the DER encoding T of a
4118 certain value computed during the encoding operation
4122 EM = encoded message, an octet string of length emLen
4124 Errors: "message too long"; "intended encoded message length too
4129 1. Apply the hash function to the message M to produce a hash value
4134 If the hash function outputs "message too long," output "message
4137 2. Using the list in Section 5.2.2, produce an ASN.1 DER value for
4138 the hash function used. Let T be the full hash prefix from
4139 Section 5.2.2, and let tLen be the length in octets of T.
4141 3. If emLen < tLen + 11, output "intended encoded message length
4142 too short" and stop.
4146 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 74]
4148 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4151 4. Generate an octet string PS consisting of emLen - tLen - 3
4152 octets with hexadecimal value 0xFF. The length of PS will be at
4155 5. Concatenate PS, the hash prefix T, and other padding to form the
4156 encoded message EM as
4158 EM = 0x00 || 0x01 || PS || 0x00 || T.
4162 13.2. Symmetric Algorithm Preferences
4164 The symmetric algorithm preference is an ordered list of algorithms
4165 that the keyholder accepts. Since it is found on a self-signature,
4166 it is possible that a keyholder may have multiple, different
4167 preferences. For example, Alice may have TripleDES only specified
4168 for "alice@work.com" but CAST5, Blowfish, and TripleDES specified for
4169 "alice@home.org". Note that it is also possible for preferences to
4170 be in a subkey's binding signature.
4172 Since TripleDES is the MUST-implement algorithm, if it is not
4173 explicitly in the list, it is tacitly at the end. However, it is
4174 good form to place it there explicitly. Note also that if an
4175 implementation does not implement the preference, then it is
4176 implicitly a TripleDES-only implementation.
4178 An implementation MUST NOT use a symmetric algorithm that is not in
4179 the recipient's preference list. When encrypting to more than one
4180 recipient, the implementation finds a suitable algorithm by taking
4181 the intersection of the preferences of the recipients. Note that the
4182 MUST-implement algorithm, TripleDES, ensures that the intersection is
4183 not null. The implementation may use any mechanism to pick an
4184 algorithm in the intersection.
4186 If an implementation can decrypt a message that a keyholder doesn't
4187 have in their preferences, the implementation SHOULD decrypt the
4188 message anyway, but MUST warn the keyholder that the protocol has
4189 been violated. For example, suppose that Alice, above, has software
4190 that implements all algorithms in this specification. Nonetheless,
4191 she prefers subsets for work or home. If she is sent a message
4192 encrypted with IDEA, which is not in her preferences, the software
4193 warns her that someone sent her an IDEA-encrypted message, but it
4194 would ideally decrypt it anyway.
4202 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 75]
4204 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4207 13.3. Other Algorithm Preferences
4209 Other algorithm preferences work similarly to the symmetric algorithm
4210 preference, in that they specify which algorithms the keyholder
4211 accepts. There are two interesting cases that other comments need to
4212 be made about, though, the compression preferences and the hash
4215 13.3.1. Compression Preferences
4217 Compression has been an integral part of PGP since its first days.
4218 OpenPGP and all previous versions of PGP have offered compression.
4219 In this specification, the default is for messages to be compressed,
4220 although an implementation is not required to do so. Consequently,
4221 the compression preference gives a way for a keyholder to request
4222 that messages not be compressed, presumably because they are using a
4223 minimal implementation that does not include compression.
4224 Additionally, this gives a keyholder a way to state that it can
4225 support alternate algorithms.
4227 Like the algorithm preferences, an implementation MUST NOT use an
4228 algorithm that is not in the preference vector. If the preferences
4229 are not present, then they are assumed to be [ZIP(1),
4232 Additionally, an implementation MUST implement this preference to the
4233 degree of recognizing when to send an uncompressed message. A robust
4234 implementation would satisfy this requirement by looking at the
4235 recipient's preference and acting accordingly. A minimal
4236 implementation can satisfy this requirement by never generating a
4237 compressed message, since all implementations can handle messages
4238 that have not been compressed.
4240 13.3.2. Hash Algorithm Preferences
4242 Typically, the choice of a hash algorithm is something the signer
4243 does, rather than the verifier, because a signer rarely knows who is
4244 going to be verifying the signature. This preference, though, allows
4245 a protocol based upon digital signatures ease in negotiation.
4247 Thus, if Alice is authenticating herself to Bob with a signature, it
4248 makes sense for her to use a hash algorithm that Bob's software uses.
4249 This preference allows Bob to state in his key which algorithms Alice
4252 Since SHA1 is the MUST-implement hash algorithm, if it is not
4253 explicitly in the list, it is tacitly at the end. However, it is
4254 good form to place it there explicitly.
4258 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 76]
4260 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4265 Algorithm 0, "plaintext", may only be used to denote secret keys that
4266 are stored in the clear. Implementations MUST NOT use plaintext in
4267 Symmetrically Encrypted Data packets; they must use Literal Data
4268 packets to encode unencrypted or literal data.
4272 There are algorithm types for RSA Sign-Only, and RSA Encrypt-Only
4273 keys. These types are deprecated. The "key flags" subpacket in a
4274 signature is a much better way to express the same idea, and
4275 generalizes it to all algorithms. An implementation SHOULD NOT
4276 create such a key, but MAY interpret it.
4278 An implementation SHOULD NOT implement RSA keys of size less than
4283 An implementation SHOULD NOT implement DSA keys of size less than
4284 1024 bits. It MUST NOT implement a DSA key with a q size of less
4285 than 160 bits. DSA keys MUST also be a multiple of 64 bits, and the
4286 q size MUST be a multiple of 8 bits. The Digital Signature Standard
4287 (DSS) [FIPS186] specifies that DSA be used in one of the following
4290 * 1024-bit key, 160-bit q, SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, or
4293 * 2048-bit key, 224-bit q, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512
4296 * 2048-bit key, 256-bit q, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 hash
4298 * 3072-bit key, 256-bit q, SHA-256, SHA-384, or SHA-512 hash
4300 The above key and q size pairs were chosen to best balance the
4301 strength of the key with the strength of the hash. Implementations
4302 SHOULD use one of the above key and q size pairs when generating DSA
4303 keys. If DSS compliance is desired, one of the specified SHA hashes
4304 must be used as well. [FIPS186] is the ultimate authority on DSS,
4305 and should be consulted for all questions of DSS compliance.
4307 Note that earlier versions of this standard only allowed a 160-bit q
4308 with no truncation allowed, so earlier implementations may not be
4309 able to handle signatures with a different q size or a truncated
4314 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 77]
4316 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4321 An implementation SHOULD NOT implement Elgamal keys of size less than
4324 13.8. Reserved Algorithm Numbers
4326 A number of algorithm IDs have been reserved for algorithms that
4327 would be useful to use in an OpenPGP implementation, yet there are
4328 issues that prevent an implementer from actually implementing the
4329 algorithm. These are marked in Section 9.1, "Public-Key Algorithms",
4332 The reserved public-key algorithms, Elliptic Curve (18), ECDSA (19),
4333 and X9.42 (21), do not have the necessary parameters, parameter
4334 order, or semantics defined.
4336 Previous versions of OpenPGP permitted Elgamal [ELGAMAL] signatures
4337 with a public-key identifier of 20. These are no longer permitted.
4338 An implementation MUST NOT generate such keys. An implementation
4339 MUST NOT generate Elgamal signatures. See [BLEICHENBACHER].
4341 13.9. OpenPGP CFB Mode
4343 OpenPGP does symmetric encryption using a variant of Cipher Feedback
4344 mode (CFB mode). This section describes the procedure it uses in
4345 detail. This mode is what is used for Symmetrically Encrypted Data
4346 Packets; the mechanism used for encrypting secret-key material is
4347 similar, and is described in the sections above.
4349 In the description below, the value BS is the block size in octets of
4350 the cipher. Most ciphers have a block size of 8 octets. The AES and
4351 Twofish have a block size of 16 octets. Also note that the
4352 description below assumes that the IV and CFB arrays start with an
4353 index of 1 (unlike the C language, which assumes arrays start with a
4356 OpenPGP CFB mode uses an initialization vector (IV) of all zeros, and
4357 prefixes the plaintext with BS+2 octets of random data, such that
4358 octets BS+1 and BS+2 match octets BS-1 and BS. It does a CFB
4359 resynchronization after encrypting those BS+2 octets.
4361 Thus, for an algorithm that has a block size of 8 octets (64 bits),
4362 the IV is 10 octets long and octets 7 and 8 of the IV are the same as
4363 octets 9 and 10. For an algorithm with a block size of 16 octets
4364 (128 bits), the IV is 18 octets long, and octets 17 and 18 replicate
4365 octets 15 and 16. Those extra two octets are an easy check for a
4370 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 78]
4372 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4375 Step by step, here is the procedure:
4377 1. The feedback register (FR) is set to the IV, which is all zeros.
4379 2. FR is encrypted to produce FRE (FR Encrypted). This is the
4380 encryption of an all-zero value.
4382 3. FRE is xored with the first BS octets of random data prefixed to
4383 the plaintext to produce C[1] through C[BS], the first BS octets
4386 4. FR is loaded with C[1] through C[BS].
4388 5. FR is encrypted to produce FRE, the encryption of the first BS
4389 octets of ciphertext.
4391 6. The left two octets of FRE get xored with the next two octets of
4392 data that were prefixed to the plaintext. This produces C[BS+1]
4393 and C[BS+2], the next two octets of ciphertext.
4395 7. (The resynchronization step) FR is loaded with C[3] through
4398 8. FR is encrypted to produce FRE.
4400 9. FRE is xored with the first BS octets of the given plaintext, now
4401 that we have finished encrypting the BS+2 octets of prefixed
4402 data. This produces C[BS+3] through C[BS+(BS+2)], the next BS
4403 octets of ciphertext.
4405 10. FR is loaded with C[BS+3] to C[BS + (BS+2)] (which is C11-C18 for
4408 11. FR is encrypted to produce FRE.
4410 12. FRE is xored with the next BS octets of plaintext, to produce
4411 the next BS octets of ciphertext. These are loaded into FR, and
4412 the process is repeated until the plaintext is used up.
4414 13.10. Private or Experimental Parameters
4416 S2K specifiers, Signature subpacket types, user attribute types,
4417 image format types, and algorithms described in Section 9 all reserve
4418 the range 100 to 110 for private and experimental use. Packet types
4419 reserve the range 60 to 63 for private and experimental use. These
4420 are intentionally managed with the PRIVATE USE method, as described
4426 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 79]
4428 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4431 However, implementations need to be careful with these and promote
4432 them to full IANA-managed parameters when they grow beyond the
4433 original, limited system.
4435 13.11. Extension of the MDC System
4437 As described in the non-normative explanation in Section 5.13, the
4438 MDC system is uniquely unparameterized in OpenPGP. This was an
4439 intentional decision to avoid cross-grade attacks. If the MDC system
4440 is extended to a stronger hash function, care must be taken to avoid
4441 downgrade and cross-grade attacks.
4443 One simple way to do this is to create new packets for a new MDC.
4444 For example, instead of the MDC system using packets 18 and 19, a new
4445 MDC could use 20 and 21. This has obvious drawbacks (it uses two
4446 packet numbers for each new hash function in a space that is limited
4447 to a maximum of 60).
4449 Another simple way to extend the MDC system is to create new versions
4450 of packet 18, and reflect this in packet 19. For example, suppose
4451 that V2 of packet 18 implicitly used SHA-256. This would require
4452 packet 19 to have a length of 32 octets. The change in the version
4453 in packet 18 and the size of packet 19 prevent a downgrade attack.
4455 There are two drawbacks to this latter approach. The first is that
4456 using the version number of a packet to carry algorithm information
4457 is not tidy from a protocol-design standpoint. It is possible that
4458 there might be several versions of the MDC system in common use, but
4459 this untidiness would reflect untidiness in cryptographic consensus
4460 about hash function security. The second is that different versions
4461 of packet 19 would have to have unique sizes. If there were two
4462 versions each with 256-bit hashes, they could not both have 32-octet
4463 packet 19s without admitting the chance of a cross-grade attack.
4465 Yet another, complex approach to extend the MDC system would be a
4466 hybrid of the two above -- create a new pair of MDC packets that are
4467 fully parameterized, and yet protected from downgrade and cross-
4470 Any change to the MDC system MUST be done through the IETF CONSENSUS
4471 method, as described in [RFC2434].
4473 13.12. Meta-Considerations for Expansion
4475 If OpenPGP is extended in a way that is not backwards-compatible,
4476 meaning that old implementations will not gracefully handle their
4482 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 80]
4484 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4487 absence of a new feature, the extension proposal can be declared in
4488 the key holder's self-signature as part of the Features signature
4491 We cannot state definitively what extensions will not be upwards-
4492 compatible, but typically new algorithms are upwards-compatible,
4493 whereas new packets are not.
4495 If an extension proposal does not update the Features system, it
4496 SHOULD include an explanation of why this is unnecessary. If the
4497 proposal contains neither an extension to the Features system nor an
4498 explanation of why such an extension is unnecessary, the proposal
4501 14. Security Considerations
4503 * As with any technology involving cryptography, you should check the
4504 current literature to determine if any algorithms used here have
4505 been found to be vulnerable to attack.
4507 * This specification uses Public-Key Cryptography technologies. It
4508 is assumed that the private key portion of a public-private key
4509 pair is controlled and secured by the proper party or parties.
4511 * Certain operations in this specification involve the use of random
4512 numbers. An appropriate entropy source should be used to generate
4513 these numbers (see [RFC4086]).
4515 * The MD5 hash algorithm has been found to have weaknesses, with
4516 collisions found in a number of cases. MD5 is deprecated for use
4517 in OpenPGP. Implementations MUST NOT generate new signatures using
4518 MD5 as a hash function. They MAY continue to consider old
4519 signatures that used MD5 as valid.
4521 * SHA-224 and SHA-384 require the same work as SHA-256 and SHA-512,
4522 respectively. In general, there are few reasons to use them
4523 outside of DSS compatibility. You need a situation where one needs
4524 more security than smaller hashes, but does not want to have the
4525 full 256-bit or 512-bit data length.
4527 * Many security protocol designers think that it is a bad idea to use
4528 a single key for both privacy (encryption) and integrity
4529 (signatures). In fact, this was one of the motivating forces
4530 behind the V4 key format with separate signature and encryption
4531 keys. If you as an implementer promote dual-use keys, you should
4532 at least be aware of this controversy.
4538 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 81]
4540 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4543 * The DSA algorithm will work with any hash, but is sensitive to the
4544 quality of the hash algorithm. Verifiers should be aware that even
4545 if the signer used a strong hash, an attacker could have modified
4546 the signature to use a weak one. Only signatures using acceptably
4547 strong hash algorithms should be accepted as valid.
4549 * As OpenPGP combines many different asymmetric, symmetric, and hash
4550 algorithms, each with different measures of strength, care should
4551 be taken that the weakest element of an OpenPGP message is still
4552 sufficiently strong for the purpose at hand. While consensus about
4553 the strength of a given algorithm may evolve, NIST Special
4554 Publication 800-57 [SP800-57] recommends the following list of
4555 equivalent strengths:
4557 Asymmetric | Hash | Symmetric
4558 key size | size | key size
4559 ------------+--------+-----------
4566 * There is a somewhat-related potential security problem in
4567 signatures. If an attacker can find a message that hashes to the
4568 same hash with a different algorithm, a bogus signature structure
4569 can be constructed that evaluates correctly.
4571 For example, suppose Alice DSA signs message M using hash algorithm
4572 H. Suppose that Mallet finds a message M' that has the same hash
4573 value as M with H'. Mallet can then construct a signature block
4574 that verifies as Alice's signature of M' with H'. However, this
4575 would also constitute a weakness in either H or H' or both. Should
4576 this ever occur, a revision will have to be made to this document
4577 to revise the allowed hash algorithms.
4579 * If you are building an authentication system, the recipient may
4580 specify a preferred signing algorithm. However, the signer would
4581 be foolish to use a weak algorithm simply because the recipient
4584 * Some of the encryption algorithms mentioned in this document have
4585 been analyzed less than others. For example, although CAST5 is
4586 presently considered strong, it has been analyzed less than
4587 TripleDES. Other algorithms may have other controversies
4594 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 82]
4596 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4599 * In late summer 2002, Jallad, Katz, and Schneier published an
4600 interesting attack on the OpenPGP protocol and some of its
4601 implementations [JKS02]. In this attack, the attacker modifies a
4602 message and sends it to a user who then returns the erroneously
4603 decrypted message to the attacker. The attacker is thus using the
4604 user as a random oracle, and can often decrypt the message.
4606 Compressing data can ameliorate this attack. The incorrectly
4607 decrypted data nearly always decompresses in ways that defeat the
4608 attack. However, this is not a rigorous fix, and leaves open some
4609 small vulnerabilities. For example, if an implementation does not
4610 compress a message before encryption (perhaps because it knows it
4611 was already compressed), then that message is vulnerable. Because
4612 of this happenstance -- that modification attacks can be thwarted
4613 by decompression errors -- an implementation SHOULD treat a
4614 decompression error as a security problem, not merely a data
4617 This attack can be defeated by the use of Modification Detection,
4618 provided that the implementation does not let the user naively
4619 return the data to the attacker. An implementation MUST treat an
4620 MDC failure as a security problem, not merely a data problem.
4622 In either case, the implementation MAY allow the user access to the
4623 erroneous data, but MUST warn the user as to potential security
4624 problems should that data be returned to the sender.
4626 While this attack is somewhat obscure, requiring a special set of
4627 circumstances to create it, it is nonetheless quite serious as it
4628 permits someone to trick a user to decrypt a message.
4629 Consequently, it is important that:
4631 1. Implementers treat MDC errors and decompression failures as
4634 2. Implementers implement Modification Detection with all due
4635 speed and encourage its spread.
4637 3. Users migrate to implementations that support Modification
4638 Detection with all due speed.
4640 * PKCS#1 has been found to be vulnerable to attacks in which a system
4641 that reports errors in padding differently from errors in
4642 decryption becomes a random oracle that can leak the private key in
4643 mere millions of queries. Implementations must be aware of this
4644 attack and prevent it from happening. The simplest solution is to
4645 report a single error code for all variants of decryption errors so
4646 as not to leak information to an attacker.
4650 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 83]
4652 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4655 * Some technologies mentioned here may be subject to government
4656 control in some countries.
4658 * In winter 2005, Serge Mister and Robert Zuccherato from Entrust
4659 released a paper describing a way that the "quick check" in OpenPGP
4660 CFB mode can be used with a random oracle to decrypt two octets of
4661 every cipher block [MZ05]. They recommend as prevention not using
4662 the quick check at all.
4664 Many implementers have taken this advice to heart for any data that
4665 is symmetrically encrypted and for which the session key is
4666 public-key encrypted. In this case, the quick check is not needed
4667 as the public-key encryption of the session key should guarantee
4668 that it is the right session key. In other cases, the
4669 implementation should use the quick check with care.
4671 On the one hand, there is a danger to using it if there is a random
4672 oracle that can leak information to an attacker. In plainer
4673 language, there is a danger to using the quick check if timing
4674 information about the check can be exposed to an attacker,
4675 particularly via an automated service that allows rapidly repeated
4678 On the other hand, it is inconvenient to the user to be informed
4679 that they typed in the wrong passphrase only after a petabyte of
4680 data is decrypted. There are many cases in cryptographic
4681 engineering where the implementer must use care and wisdom, and
4684 15. Implementation Nits
4686 This section is a collection of comments to help an implementer,
4687 particularly with an eye to backward compatibility. Previous
4688 implementations of PGP are not OpenPGP compliant. Often the
4689 differences are small, but small differences are frequently more
4690 vexing than large differences. Thus, this is a non-comprehensive
4691 list of potential problems and gotchas for a developer who is trying
4692 to be backward-compatible.
4694 * The IDEA algorithm is patented, and yet it is required for PGP
4695 2.x interoperability. It is also the de-facto preferred
4696 algorithm for a V3 key with a V3 self-signature (or no self-
4699 * When exporting a private key, PGP 2.x generates the header "BEGIN
4700 PGP SECRET KEY BLOCK" instead of "BEGIN PGP PRIVATE KEY BLOCK".
4701 All previous versions ignore the implied data type, and look
4702 directly at the packet data type.
4706 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 84]
4708 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4711 * PGP 2.0 through 2.5 generated V2 Public-Key packets. These are
4712 identical to the deprecated V3 keys except for the version
4713 number. An implementation MUST NOT generate them and may accept
4714 or reject them as it sees fit. Some older PGP versions generated
4715 V2 PKESK packets (Tag 1) as well. An implementation may accept
4716 or reject V2 PKESK packets as it sees fit, and MUST NOT generate
4719 * PGP 2.6.x will not accept key-material packets with versions
4722 * There are many ways possible for two keys to have the same key
4723 material, but different fingerprints (and thus Key IDs). Perhaps
4724 the most interesting is an RSA key that has been "upgraded" to V4
4725 format, but since a V4 fingerprint is constructed by hashing the
4726 key creation time along with other things, two V4 keys created at
4727 different times, yet with the same key material will have
4728 different fingerprints.
4730 * If an implementation is using zlib to interoperate with PGP 2.x,
4731 then the "windowBits" parameter should be set to -13.
4733 * The 0x19 back signatures were not required for signing subkeys
4734 until relatively recently. Consequently, there may be keys in
4735 the wild that do not have these back signatures. Implementing
4736 software may handle these keys as it sees fit.
4738 * OpenPGP does not put limits on the size of public keys. However,
4739 larger keys are not necessarily better keys. Larger keys take
4740 more computation time to use, and this can quickly become
4741 impractical. Different OpenPGP implementations may also use
4742 different upper bounds for public key sizes, and so care should
4743 be taken when choosing sizes to maintain interoperability. As of
4744 2007 most implementations have an upper bound of 4096 bits.
4746 * ASCII armor is an optional feature of OpenPGP. The OpenPGP
4747 working group strives for a minimal set of mandatory-to-implement
4748 features, and since there could be useful implementations that
4749 only use binary object formats, this is not a "MUST" feature for
4750 an implementation. For example, an implementation that is using
4751 OpenPGP as a mechanism for file signatures may find ASCII armor
4752 unnecessary. OpenPGP permits an implementation to declare what
4753 features it does and does not support, but ASCII armor is not one
4754 of these. Since most implementations allow binary and armored
4755 objects to be used indiscriminately, an implementation that does
4756 not implement ASCII armor may find itself with compatibility
4757 issues with general-purpose implementations. Moreover,
4758 implementations of OpenPGP-MIME [RFC3156] already have a
4762 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 85]
4764 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4767 requirement for ASCII armor so those implementations will
4768 necessarily have support.
4772 16.1. Normative References
4774 [AES] NIST, FIPS PUB 197, "Advanced Encryption Standard
4775 (AES)," November 2001.
4776 http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips197/fips-
4779 [BLOWFISH] Schneier, B. "Description of a New Variable-Length
4780 Key, 64-Bit Block Cipher (Blowfish)" Fast Software
4781 Encryption, Cambridge Security Workshop Proceedings
4782 (December 1993), Springer-Verlag, 1994, pp191-204
4783 <http://www.counterpane.com/bfsverlag.html>
4785 [BZ2] J. Seward, jseward@acm.org, "The Bzip2 and libbzip2
4786 home page" <http://www.bzip.org/>
4788 [ELGAMAL] T. Elgamal, "A Public-Key Cryptosystem and a
4789 Signature Scheme Based on Discrete Logarithms," IEEE
4790 Transactions on Information Theory, v. IT-31, n. 4,
4793 [FIPS180] Secure Hash Signature Standard (SHS) (FIPS PUB 180-
4795 <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips180-
4796 2/fips180-2withchangenotice.pdf>
4798 [FIPS186] Digital Signature Standard (DSS) (FIPS PUB 186-2).
4799 <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips186-2/
4800 fips186-2-change1.pdf> FIPS 186-3 describes keys
4801 greater than 1024 bits. The latest draft is at:
4802 <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts/
4803 fips_186-3/Draft-FIPS-186-3%20_March2006.pdf>
4805 [HAC] Alfred Menezes, Paul van Oorschot, and Scott
4806 Vanstone, "Handbook of Applied Cryptography," CRC
4808 <http://www.cacr.math.uwaterloo.ca/hac/>
4810 [IDEA] Lai, X, "On the design and security of block
4811 ciphers", ETH Series in Information Processing, J.L.
4812 Massey (editor), Vol. 1, Hartung-Gorre Verlag
4813 Knostanz, Technische Hochschule (Zurich), 1992
4818 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 86]
4820 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4823 [ISO10646] ISO/IEC 10646-1:1993. International Standard --
4824 Information technology -- Universal Multiple-Octet
4825 Coded Character Set (UCS) -- Part 1: Architecture
4826 and Basic Multilingual Plane.
4828 [JFIF] JPEG File Interchange Format (Version 1.02). Eric
4829 Hamilton, C-Cube Microsystems, Milpitas, CA,
4832 [RFC1950] Deutsch, P. and J-L. Gailly, "ZLIB Compressed Data
4833 Format Specification version 3.3", RFC 1950, May
4836 [RFC1951] Deutsch, P., "DEFLATE Compressed Data Format
4837 Specification version 1.3", RFC 1951, May 1996.
4839 [RFC2045] Freed, N. and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet
4840 Mail Extensions (MIME) Part One: Format of Internet
4841 Message Bodies", RFC 2045, November 1996
4843 [RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
4844 Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
4846 [RFC2144] Adams, C., "The CAST-128 Encryption Algorithm", RFC
4849 [RFC2434] Narten, T. and H. Alvestrand, "Guidelines for
4850 Writing an IANA Considerations Section in RFCs", BCP
4851 26, RFC 2434, October 1998.
4853 [RFC2822] Resnick, P., "Internet Message Format", RFC 2822,
4856 [RFC3156] Elkins, M., Del Torto, D., Levien, R., and T.
4857 Roessler, "MIME Security with OpenPGP", RFC 3156,
4860 [RFC3447] Jonsson, J. and B. Kaliski, "Public-Key Cryptography
4861 Standards (PKCS) #1: RSA Cryptography Specifications
4862 Version 2.1", RFC 3447, February 2003.
4864 [RFC3629] Yergeau, F., "UTF-8, a transformation format of ISO
4865 10646", STD 63, RFC 3629, November 2003.
4867 [RFC4086] Eastlake, D., 3rd, Schiller, J., and S. Crocker,
4868 "Randomness Requirements for Security", BCP 106, RFC
4874 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 87]
4876 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4879 [SCHNEIER] Schneier, B., "Applied Cryptography Second Edition:
4880 protocols, algorithms, and source code in C", 1996.
4882 [TWOFISH] B. Schneier, J. Kelsey, D. Whiting, D. Wagner, C.
4883 Hall, and N. Ferguson, "The Twofish Encryption
4884 Algorithm", John Wiley & Sons, 1999.
4886 16.2. Informative References
4888 [BLEICHENBACHER] Bleichenbacher, Daniel, "Generating Elgamal
4889 signatures without knowing the secret key,"
4890 Eurocrypt 96. Note that the version in the
4891 proceedings has an error. A revised version is
4892 available at the time of writing from
4893 <ftp://ftp.inf.ethz.ch/pub/publications/papers/ti
4896 [JKS02] Kahil Jallad, Jonathan Katz, Bruce Schneier
4897 "Implementation of Chosen-Ciphertext Attacks against
4898 PGP and GnuPG" http://www.counterpane.com/pgp-
4901 [MAURER] Ueli Maurer, "Modelling a Public-Key
4902 Infrastructure", Proc. 1996 European Symposium on
4903 Research in Computer Security (ESORICS' 96), Lecture
4904 Notes in Computer Science, Springer-Verlag, vol.
4905 1146, pp. 325-350, Sep 1996.
4907 [MZ05] Serge Mister, Robert Zuccherato, "An Attack on CFB
4908 Mode Encryption As Used By OpenPGP," IACR ePrint
4909 Archive: Report 2005/033, 8 Feb 2005
4910 http://eprint.iacr.org/2005/033
4912 [REGEX] Jeffrey Friedl, "Mastering Regular Expressions,"
4913 O'Reilly, ISBN 0-596-00289-0.
4915 [RFC1423] Balenson, D., "Privacy Enhancement for Internet
4916 Electronic Mail: Part III: Algorithms, Modes, and
4917 Identifiers", RFC 1423, February 1993.
4919 [RFC1991] Atkins, D., Stallings, W., and P. Zimmermann, "PGP
4920 Message Exchange Formats", RFC 1991, August 1996.
4922 [RFC2440] Callas, J., Donnerhacke, L., Finney, H., and R.
4923 Thayer, "OpenPGP Message Format", RFC 2440, November
4930 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 88]
4932 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4935 [SP800-57] NIST Special Publication 800-57, Recommendation on
4937 <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ 800-
4938 57/SP800-57-Part1.pdf>
4939 <http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistpubs/ 800-
4940 57/SP800-57-Part2.pdf>
4944 This memo also draws on much previous work from a number of other
4945 authors, including: Derek Atkins, Charles Breed, Dave Del Torto, Marc
4946 Dyksterhouse, Gail Haspert, Gene Hoffman, Paul Hoffman, Ben Laurie,
4947 Raph Levien, Colin Plumb, Will Price, David Shaw, William Stallings,
4948 Mark Weaver, and Philip R. Zimmermann.
4952 The working group can be contacted via the current chair:
4955 IHTFP Consulting, Inc.
4957 Somerville, MA 02144 USA
4959 EMail: derek@ihtfp.com
4960 Tel: +1 617 623 3745
4962 The principal authors of this document are as follows:
4965 EMail: jon@callas.org
4971 EMail: lutz@iks-jena.de
4974 EMail: hal@finney.org
4977 EMail: dshaw@jabberwocky.com
4980 EMail: rodney@canola-jones.com
4986 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 89]
4988 RFC 4880 OpenPGP Message Format November 2007
4991 Full Copyright Statement
4993 Copyright (C) The IETF Trust (2007).
4995 This document is subject to the rights, licenses and restrictions
4996 contained in BCP 78, and except as set forth therein, the authors
4997 retain all their rights.
4999 This document and the information contained herein are provided on an
5000 "AS IS" basis and THE CONTRIBUTOR, THE ORGANIZATION HE/SHE REPRESENTS
5001 OR IS SPONSORED BY (IF ANY), THE INTERNET SOCIETY, THE IETF TRUST AND
5002 THE INTERNET ENGINEERING TASK FORCE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
5003 OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF
5004 THE INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED
5005 WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
5007 Intellectual Property
5009 The IETF takes no position regarding the validity or scope of any
5010 Intellectual Property Rights or other rights that might be claimed to
5011 pertain to the implementation or use of the technology described in
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5013 might or might not be available; nor does it represent that it has
5014 made any independent effort to identify any such rights. Information
5015 on the procedures with respect to rights in RFC documents can be
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5018 Copies of IPR disclosures made to the IETF Secretariat and any
5019 assurances of licenses to be made available, or the result of an
5020 attempt made to obtain a general license or permission for the use of
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5023 http://www.ietf.org/ipr.
5025 The IETF invites any interested party to bring to its attention any
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5042 Callas, et al Standards Track [Page 90]