cipher block chaining

Cipher block chaining (CBC) is a mode of operation for a block cipher (one in which a sequence of bits are encrypted as a single unit or block with a cipher key applied to the entire block). Cipher block chaining uses what is known as an initialization vector (IV) of a certain length. One of its key characteristics is that it uses a chaining mechanism that causes the decryption of a block of ciphertext to depend on all the preceding ciphertext blocks. As a result, the entire validity of all preceding blocks is contained in the immediately previous ciphertext block. A single bit error in a ciphertext block affects the decryption of all subsequent blocks. Rearrangement of the order of the ciphertext blocks causes decryption to become corrupted. Basically, in cipher block chaining, each plaintext block is XORed (see XOR) with the immediately previous ciphertext block, and then encrypted.

Identical ciphertext blocks can only result if the same plaintext block is encrypted using both the same key and the initialization vector, and if the ciphertext block order is not changed. It has the advantage over the Electronic Code Book mode in that the XOR'ing process hides plaintext patterns.

Ideally, the initialization vector should be different for any two messages encrypted with the same key. Though the initialization vector need not be secret, some applications may find this desirable.

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More resources from around the web: - SearchSecurity.com includes a number of selected links to cryptography papers and tutorials. - RSA Security offers a Frequently Asked Questions section about cryptography and security.

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