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TLS-SM4-CCM-SM3 Cipher Suite
A breakdown of the Cipher Suite TLS_SM4_CCM_SM3, its strengths, and its weaknesses.
Cipher
ShangMi 4 - SM4
Grade - C
Algorithms with low adoption do not receive sufficient scrutiny and should generally be avoided, as their vulnerabilities may remain undiscovered. SM4, for instance, is not recommended by RFC 8998 due to concerns over its security and limited peer review. It is better to use well-established algorithms with extensive analysis and widespread acceptance.
Hash
ShangMi 3 - SM3
Grade - C
Algorithms with low adoption do not receive sufficient scrutiny and should generally be avoided, as their security vulnerabilities might remain undetected. SM3, for example, is not recommended by RFC 8998 due to concerns about its robustness and limited peer review. It is advisable to use well-established algorithms that have undergone extensive analysis and testing.
Cipher Mode
Counter with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code - CCM
Grade - A
CCM (Counter with CBC-MAC) is a mode of operation for cryptographic block ciphers, providing both encryption and authentication. Used in cipher suites, CCM ensures data confidentiality and integrity by combining the Counter (CTR) mode for encryption with the Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code (CBC-MAC) for authentication. This dual functionality makes CCM highly efficient and secure, suitable for resource-constrained environments like IoT and wireless networks. By integrating CCM, cipher suites offer robust protection against unauthorized access and tampering, enhancing overall security in secure communications.
