Elliptic Curve Algorithm Integration in the Secure Shell Transport Layer
RFC 5656

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Network Working Group                                         D. Stebila
Request for Comments: 5656           Queensland University of Technology
Category: Standards Track                                       J. Green
                                                      Queen's University
                                                           December 2009

Elliptic Curve Algorithm Integration in the Secure Shell Transport Layer

Abstract

   This document describes algorithms based on Elliptic Curve
   Cryptography (ECC) for use within the Secure Shell (SSH) transport
   protocol.  In particular, it specifies Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman
   (ECDH) key agreement, Elliptic Curve Menezes-Qu-Vanstone (ECMQV) key
   agreement, and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) for
   use in the SSH Transport Layer protocol.

Status of This Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2009 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
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   described in the BSD License.

   This document may contain material from IETF Documents or IETF
   Contributions published or made publicly available before November
   10, 2008.  The person(s) controlling the copyright in some of this
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   modifications of such material outside the IETF Standards Process.
   Without obtaining an adequate license from the person(s) controlling
   the copyright in such materials, this document may not be modified

Stebila & Green             Standards Track                     [Page 1]
RFC 5656             SSH ECC Algorithm Integration         December 2009

   outside the IETF Standards Process, and derivative works of it may
   not be created outside the IETF Standards Process, except to format
   it for publication as an RFC or to translate it into languages other
   than English.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................3
   2. Notation ........................................................4
   3. SSH ECC Public Key Algorithm ....................................4
      3.1. Key Format .................................................4
           3.1.1. Signature Algorithm .................................5
           3.1.2. Signature Encoding ..................................5
   4. ECDH Key Exchange ...............................................5
   5. ECMQV Key Exchange ..............................................8
   6. Method Names ...................................................10
      6.1. Elliptic Curve Domain Parameter Identifiers ...............10
      6.2. ECC Public Key Algorithm (ecdsa-sha2-*) ...................11
           6.2.1. Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm .........11
      6.3. ECDH Key Exchange Method Names (ecdh-sha2-*) ..............12
      6.4. ECMQV Key Exchange and Verification Method Name
           (ecmqv-sha2) ..............................................12
   7. Key Exchange Messages ..........................................13
      7.1. ECDH Message Numbers ......................................13
      7.2. ECMQV Message Numbers .....................................13
   8. Manageability Considerations ...................................13
      8.1. Control of Function through Configuration and Policy ......13
      8.2. Impact on Network Operation ...............................14
   9. Security Considerations ........................................14
   10. Named Elliptic Curve Domain Parameters ........................16
      10.1. Required Curves ..........................................16
      10.2. Recommended Curves .......................................17
   11. IANA Considerations ...........................................17
   12. References ....................................................18
      12.1. Normative References .....................................18
      12.2. Informative References ...................................19
   Appendix A.  Acknowledgements .....................................20

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