Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program CAVP

[11-15-2007] -- New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS6.0). Verison 6.0 of the CAVS tool adds testing for NIST SP 800-90 Deterministic Random Bit Generators.

The transition period ends February 15, 2008.

As has been the policy in the past:

1. For any algorithm validation request where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using this tool up through February 15, 2008. The tool used to generate the files must be used to validate the files. For example, if CAVS5.3 was used to generate test vectors, then CAVS5.3 must be used to verify these values.
2. If there are any validation requests where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has not yet sent the appropriate files to the vendor, please regenerate everything using CAVS6.0.

Prior to the release of CAVS6.0, the CMVP allowed vendor affirmation for SP 800-90 DRBG implementations. During the transition period, the vendor has the option of either providing the vendor affirmation in FIPS 140-2 IG1.12 or going through the validation testing now available in CAVS6.0. Please see the CMVP Announcements for further information.

The CAVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

[10-16-2006] [09-28-2006] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS5.2). Version 5.2 of the CAVS tool includes the addition of tests to verify the absence of an identified RSA X9.31 and PKCS#1 V1.5 algorithmic implementation vulnerability. Information on this vulnerability can be found at the Computer Security Resource Center (News) October 12, 2006 News. A statement discussing the attack is available. CAVS5.2 also includes several modifications to the existing algorithm validation tests to provide requested enhancements to the tool. Additional information can be found at: Digital Signature Standard (DSS)

The transition period ends December 31, 2006.

As has been the policy in the past:

1. For any algorithm validation request where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using this tool up through December 31, 2006.
2. If there are any validation requests where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has not yet sent the appropriate files to the vendor, please regenerate everything using CAVS5.2.
3. It is strongly advised that any CMVP cryptographic module in the pre-validation phase re-test the RSA implementations with the new version of CAVS.
4. After December 31, 2006, all new received test reports to the CMVP pre-validation queue must use the CAVS5.2 to validate RSA.

The CAVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

For all validated cryptographic modules that incorporate RSA, the CMVP and CAVP strongly suggest re-testin of the RSA algorithmic implementations to determine if the vulnerability is present.

1. If new CAVP testing is performed, and the vulnerability is determined not to be present, the CMTL can send a letter to the CAVP along with the ZIP'ed CAVS 5.2 files requesting a new algorithm certificate printed to replace the already issued certificate referencing the new version of CAVS. Note that the certificate number will not change. Only the reference to the version of the CAVS tool will be changed.
2. If CAVP testing is performed and the vulnerability is discovered, the following revalidation process shall be followed:
   1. The algorithm implementation is changed to remove the vulnerability resulting in a different version number,
   2. Submit the new test results to the CAVP for the new version of the implementation. A new algorithm certificate will be issued for the new version of the implementation. The certificate will reference CAVS5.2.
   3. A revalidation letter can be submitted to the CMVP confirming that the only change to the module is to the RSA algorithmic implementation to correct the identified vulnerability; provide the reference to the new RSA algorithmic validation certificate; and provide a new version for the module. The CMVP will update the existing FIPS 140-1 or FIPS 140-2 module certificate web site entry to reference the new RSA algorithmic validation certificate and the new module version number associated with that certificate. No new FIPS 140-2 validation certificate will be issued. An updated Security Policy is required to include the new information. Any other changes to the validated cryptographic module shall handled in accordance with IG G.8 - Revalidation Requirements.

Please direct any CAVP or CMVP questions to the appropriate contact.

[04-03-2006] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS5.0).Version 5.0 of the CAVS tool includes the addition of a validation test suite for the CMAC algorithm. Documentation describing the CMAC validation tests is located in the CMACVS document accessible via our webpage. CAVS5.0 also includes several modifications to the existing algorithm validation tests to provide requested enhancements to the tool.

The transition period ends July 3, 2006.

As has been the policy in the past:

1. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY on any new validation requests for implementations of TDES, AES, DSA, SHA, RNG, RSA, ECDSA, HMAC, CCM and/or CMAC, the CMT lab must use the CAVS5.0 to validate the IUT.
2. For any algorithm validation request where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using this tool up through July 3, 2006.
3. If there are any validation requests where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has not yet sent the appropriate files to the vendor, please regenerate everything using CAVS5.0.

The CAVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

[05-11-2005] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS4.6). Version 4.6 of the CAVS tool includes a couple of minor modifications. These modifications include:

The transition period ends July 3, 2006.

As has been the policy in the past:

1. For HMAC: Enforcing the minimum length allowed for the key size. As specified by FIPS PUB 198 The Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code (HMAC) Section 3 Cryptographic Keys, it states: "The size of the key, K, shall be equal to or greater than L/2, where L is the size of the hash function output." The minimum key size is dependent on the hash function supported by the HMAC implementation and is specified on each screen for HMAC.
2. For DES and Triple-DES: The message displayed after validating results has been modified to indicate whether or not the tests have passed successfully.

The transition period ends August 11, 2005.

As has been the policy in the past:

1. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY on any new validation requests for implementations of DES, Triple-DES, AES, DSA, SHS, RNG, RSA, ECDSA, HMAC and/or CCM, the CMT lab must use the CAVS4.6 to validate the IUT.
2. For any algorithm validation request where a lab has used CAVS4.5 to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using this tool during the transition period which expires August 11, 2005. The CMT Laboratory should contact those vendors to inform them that the algorithm validation files supplied to them will expire at the end of the transition period. If the vendor has not returned the response files by that time, the request and sample files will have to be regenerated by the CAVS4.6 tool and the vendor will have to regenerate the response files.
3. If there are any validation requests where a lab has used a previous version of CAVS to create files and has not sent the appropriate files to the vendor yet, please regenerate everything using CAVS4.6.

The CAVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

[01-31-2005] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories

1. New RNG algorithm testing
   • Algorithm testing available for NIST-Recommended Random Number Generator Based on ANSI X9.31 Appendix A.2.4 Using the 3-Key Triple DES and AES Algorithms.
   • During the transition period, ANSI X9.31 RNG implementations using 3-Key Triple-DES and AES algorithms will continue to be recognized as FIPS Approved "vendor affirmed" or referenced to the new algorithm certificate if available for FIPS 140-2 validations. After the transition period, these RNG implementations will only be recognized on new FIPS 140-2 validations as FIPS Approved when referenced to an algorithm certificate.
   • All references to RNG on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates that have RNG certificates will be referenced as RNG (Cert. nnn).

The transition period ends April 30, 2005. New FIPS 140-2 validation test reports received from CMT Laboratories after the transition period must conform to the new algorithm testing schemes indicated above. For FIPS 140-2 re-validations received after April 30, 2005, if the security relevant changes do not require new algorithm testing, new algorithm testing is not required. If an algorithm is changed or added, that algorithm must conform to the new algorithm testing schemes indicated above.

For algorithm validation requests where a CMT Laboratory has used CAVS4.3 to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using the old tools during the transition period. The CMT Laboratory should contact those vendors to inform them that the algorithm validation files supplied to them will expire at the end of the transition period. If the vendor has not returned the response files by that time, the request and sample files will have to be regenerated by the CAVS4.4 tool and the vendor will have to regenerate the response files. The CMVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

[09-01-2004] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS4.0).

1. New ECDSA algorithm testing
   • Testing is now available for conformance to the ECDSA algorithm.
   • During the transition period, ECDSA algorithms will continue to be recognized as FIPS Approved "vendor affirmed" or referenced to the new algorithm certificate if available for FIPS 140-2 validations. After the transition period, ECDSA will only be recognized on new FIPS 140-2 validations as FIPS Approved when referenced to an algorithm certificate.
   • All references to ECDSA on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates that have ECDSA certificates will be referenced as ECDSA (Cert. nnn).
2. New HMAC algorithm testing
   • Testing is now available for conformance to the HMAC algorithm.
   • During the transition period, the HMAC algorithm will continue to be recognized as FIPS Approved "vendor affirmed" or referenced to the new algorithm certificate if available for FIPS 140-2 validations. After the transition period, HMAC will only be recognized on new FIPS 140-2 validations as FIPS Approved when referenced to an algorithm certificate.
   • All references to HMAC on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates that have HMAC certificates will be referenced as HMAC (Cert. nnn).
3. New CCM algorithm testing
   • Testing is now available for conformance to the CCM algorithm.
   • CCM will only be recognized on new FIPS 140-2 validations as FIPS Approved when referenced to an algorithm certificate.
   • All references to CCM on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates will have CCM certificates and will be referenced as CCM (Cert. nnn).

The transition period ends December 1, 2004. New FIPS 140-2 validations or re-validation test reports (RE: FIPS 140-2 IG G.8) received from CMT Laboratories after the transition period must conform to the new algorithm testing schemes indicated above and meet ALL current standards and IGs.

For algorithm validation requests where a CMT Laboratory has used CAVS3.3 to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using the old tools during the transition period. The CMT Laboratory should contact those vendors to inform them that the algorithm validation files supplied to them will expire at the end of the transition period. If the vendor has not returned the response files by that time, the request and sample files will have to be regenerated by the CAVS4.0 tool and the vendor will have to regenerate the response files. The CMVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.

[06-14-2004] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories (CAVS 3.3).

1. Added Key Generation to RSA X9.31.
2. Added validation tests for the General Purpose RNG specified in FIPS 186-2 Change Notice.
3. Added the ability to select more than one SHA when running validation tests for RSA. This has changed the format of the Signature Generation and Signature Verification files.

[03-11-2004] New release of the CAVS algorithm validation testing tool to the CMT Laboratories.

New and Updated Implementation Guidance:

• New rDSA algorithm testing
  • Testing is now available for conformance to several versions of the rDSA algorithm.
  • During the transition period, rDSA algorithms will continue to be recognized as FIPS Approved "vendor affirmed" or referenced to the new algorithm certificate if available for FIPS 140-2 validations. After the transition period, rDSA will only be recognized on new FIPS 140-2 validations as FIPS Approved when referenced to an algorithm certificate.
  • All references to RSA on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates that have rDSA certificates will be referenced as rDSA (Cert. nnn).
• Expanded SHS algorithm testing
  • Testing is now available for conformance to SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 algorithms.
  • SHS algorithms will only be recognized as FIPS Approved with reference to an algorithm certificate.
  • All references to Secure Hash Algorithms on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates that have SHS certificates will be referenced as SHS (Cert. nnn).
• New RNG algorithm testing
  • Testing is now available for conformance to the RNG algorithms that are referenced in FIPS 140-2 Annex C.
  • During the transition period, FIPS Approved RNG's found in FIPS 140-2 Annex C that do not have an algorithm certificate can still be used in FIPS Approved mode and will not be listed on the FIPS 140-2 validation certificate. They will only be listed on the FIPS 140-2 validation certificate if an algorithm certificate is available. After the transition period, FIPS Approved algorithms that can be tested can only be used in a FIPS Approved mode with reference to an algorithm certificate. Where testing is not available for the FIPS Approved algorithms, they will be annotated as "vendor affirmed".
  • All references to RNG algorithms on FIPS 140-2 validation certificates will be referenced as RNG (Cert. nnn).

The transition period ends June 04, 2004. New FIPS 140-2 validations or re-validation test reports (RE: FIPS 140-2 IG G.8) received from CMT Laboratories after the transition period must conform to the new algorithm testing schemes indicated above and meet ALL current standards and IGs.

For algorithm validation requests where a CMT Laboratory has used CAVS1.3 or DSSVS to create files and has already sent the sample and request files to the vendor, NIST will accept validations using the old tools during the transition period. The CMT Laboratory should contact those vendors to inform them that the algorithm validation files supplied to them will expire at the end of the transition period. If the vendor has not returned the response files by that time, the request and sample files will have to be regenerated by the CAVS3.0 tool and the vendor will have to regenerate the response files. The CMVP will also review special conditions on a case-by-case basis.