Multiset Rewriting and Security Protocol Analysis

Andre Scedrov
University of Pennsylvania

Thursday, February 20, 1:30PM
Lieb 3rd floor Conference Room
 

Abstract


The Dolev-Yao model of security protocol analysis may be formalized using a notation based on multiset rewriting with existential quantification. In this setting protocol execution is carried out symbolically as a form of rewriting. Basic assumptions of this formalization, perfect cryptography coupled with nondeterministic computation on the part of the adversary, provide an idealized setting in which protocol analysis becomes relatively tractable and detects common protocol errors. This lecture describes the multiset rewriting approach to security protocol analysis, algorithmic upper and lower bounds on specific forms of protocol analysis, and some of the ways this model is useful for formalizing subtle properties of the Kerberos 5 authentication protocol and other protocols.