Data card verification system

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for data transfer and authentication in an electronic transaction system, and more particularly to electronic transaction systems utilizing smart cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has become widely accepted to conduct transactions such as financial transactions or exchange of documents electronically. Automated teller machines (ATMs) and credit cards are widely used for personal transaction and as their use expands so too does the need to verify such transactions increase. A smart card is somewhat like a credit card and includes some processing and storage capability. Smart cards are prone to fraudulent misuse, for example by a dummy terminal which is used to glean information from an unsuspecting user. Thus, before any exchange of critical information takes place between either a terminal and a smart card or vice versa it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the terminal as well as the card. One of these verifications may take the form of "signing" an initial transaction digitally so that the authenticity of the transaction can be verified by both parties involved in the subsequent session. The signature is performed according to a protocol that utilizes a random message, i.e. the transaction and a secret key associated with the party.

The signature must be performed such that the party's secret key cannot be determined. To avoid the complexity of distributing secret keys, it is convenient to utilize a public key encryption scheme in the generation of the signature. Such capabilities are available where the transaction is conducted between parties having access to relatively large computing resources, but it is equally important to facilitate such transactions at are individual level where more limited computing resources available, as in the smart card.

Transaction cards or smart cards are now available with limited computing capacity, but these are not sufficient to implement existing digital signature protocols in a commercially viable manner. As noted above, in order to generate a verification signature it is necessary to utilize a public key inscription scheme. Currently, most public key schemes are based on RSA, but the DSS and the demand for a more compact system are rapidly changing this. The DSS scheme, which is an implementation of a Diffie-Hellman public key protocol, utilizes the set of integers Z_p where p is a large prime. For adequate security, p must be in the order of 512 bits, although the resultant signature may be reduced mod q, where q divides p-1, and may be in the order of 160 bits.

An alternative encryption scheme which was one of the first fully fledged public key algorithms and which works for encryption as well as for digital signatures is known as the RSA algorithm. RSA gets its security from the difficulty of factoring large numbers. The public and private keys are functions of a pair of large (100 to 200 digits or even larger) of prime numbers. The public key for RSA encryption is <i>n</i>, the product of the two primes p and q where p and q must remain secret and e which is relatively prime to (p-1) x (q-1). The encryption key <i>d</i> is equal to e^-1 (mod (p-1)x( q-1)). Note that <i>d</i> and <i>n</i> are relatively prime.

To encrypt a message m, first divide it into a number of numerical blocks such that each block is a unique representation modulo <i>n</i>, then the encrypted message block c_i is simply m_i ^e (mod <i>n</i>). To decrypt a message take each encrypted block c_i and compute m_i = c_i ^d (mod <i>n</i>).

Another encryption scheme that provides enhanced security at relatively small modulus is that utilizing elliptic curves in the finite field 2^m. A value of m in the order of 155 provides security comparable to a 512 bit modulus DSS and therefore offers significant benefits in implementation.

Diffie-Hellman public key encryption utilizes the properties of discrete logs so that even if a generator β and the exponentiation β^k is known, the value of k cannot be determined. A similar property exist with elliptic curves where the addition of two points on any curve produces a third point on the curve. Similarly, multiplying a point P on the curve by an integer k produces a further point on the curve. For an elliptic curve, the point kP is simply obtained by adding k copies of the point P together.

However, knowing the starting point and the end point does not reveal the value of the integer k which may then be used as a session key for encryption. The value kP, where P is an initial known point is therefore equivalent to the exponentiation β^k. Furthermore, elliptic curve crypto-systems offer advantages over other key crypto-systems when bandwidth efficiency, reduced computation and minimized code space are application goals.

Furthermore, in the context of a smart card and an automated teller machine transaction, there are two major steps involved in the authentication of both parties. The first is the authentication of the terminal by the smart card and the second is the authentication of the smart card by the terminal. Generally, this authentication involves the verification of a certificate generated by the terminal and received by the smart card and the verification of a certificate signed by the smart card and verified by the terminal. Once the certificates have been positively verified the transaction between the smart card and the terminal may continue.

Given the limited processing capability of the smart card, verifications and signature processing performed on the smart card are generally limited to simple encryption algorithms. A more sophisticated encryption algorithm is generally beyond the scope of the processing capabilities contained within the smart card. Thus, there exist a need for a signature verification and generation method which may be implemented on a smart card and which is relatively secure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention seeks in one aspect to provide a method of data verification between a smart card and a terminal.

In accordance with this aspect there is provided a method for verifying a pair of participants in an electronic transaction, comprising the steps of verifying information received by the second participant from the first participant, wherein the verification is performed according to a first signature algorithm; verifying information received by the first participant from the second participant, wherein the verification is performed according to a second signature algorithm; and whereby the transaction is rejected if either verification fails.

The first signature algorithm may be one which is computationally more difficult in signing than verifying, while the second signature algorithm is more difficult in verifying than signing. In such an embodiment the second participant may participate with relatively little computing power, while security is maintained at a high level.

In a further embodiment, the first signature algorithm is based on an RSA, or DDS type algorithm, and the second signature algorithm is based on an elliptic curve algorithm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example on the reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><b>Figures 1a</b> is a schematic representations showing a smart card and terminal;</li><li><b>Figures 1b</b> is a schematic representations showing the sequence of events performed during the verification process in a smart card transaction system; and</li><li><b>Figure 2</b> is a detailed schematic representation showing a specific protocol.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figure 1(a), a terminal 100 is adapted to receive a smart card 102. Typically, insertion of the card 102 into the terminal initiates a transaction. Mutual authentication between the terminal and the card is then performed as shown in figure 1b. In very general terms, this mutual authentication is performed according to a "challenge-response" protocol. Generally, card transmits information to the terminal, the terminal 100 signs information with an RSA based algorithm 112 and is then sent to the card 102, which verifies the information with an RSA based algorithm 114. The information exchange 116 between the card and the terminal also includes information generated by the card which is sent to the terminal to be signed by the terminal with an RSA algorithm and returned to the card to be verified utilizing a RSA algorithm. Once the relevant verification has been performed 118, a further step is performed where information is signed by the card using an elliptic curve encryption protocol 120 and submitted to the terminal to be verified 124 by the terminal utilizing an elliptic curve based protocol. Similarly, the information exchange 122 between the card and the terminal may include information generated by the terminal which is sent to the card to be signed by the card and returned to the terminal for verification. Once the appropriate information has been verified 126 the further transactions between the terminal and card may proceed 128.

Referring now to figure 2, a detailed implementation of the mutual authentication of the terminal and the card, according to the "challenged-response" protocol is shown generally by numeral 200. The terminal 100 is first verified by the card 102 and the card is then verified by the terminal. The terminal first sends to the card a certificate C₁, 20 containing its ID, T_ID, and public information including the public key. The certificate 20 may be also signed by a certifying authority (CA) so that the card may verify the association of the terminal ID T_ID with the public key received from the terminal. The keys used by the terminal and the CA in this embodiment may both be based on the RSA algorithm.

With the RSA algorithm each member or party has a public and a private key, and each key has two parts. The signature has the form:-<maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><msup><mrow><mtext>S = m</mtext></mrow><mrow><mtext>d</mtext></mrow></msup><mtext>(mod n)</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548665A2_D0001.tif" /></maths> where: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>m is the message to be signed;</li><li>n a public key is the modulus and is the product of two primes p and q;</li><li>e the encryption key chosen at random and which is also public is a number chosen to be relatively prime to (p-1)x(q-1); and</li><li>d the private key which is congruent to e^-1(mod(p-1)x(q-1)).</li></ul>

For the RSA algorithm, the pair of integers (n,e) are the public key information that is used for signing. While, the pair of integers (d,n) may be used to decrypt a message which has been encrypted with the public key information (n,e).

Referring back to figure 2, the numbers n and e are the public keys of the CA and may be set as system parameters. The public key e may be either stored in the smart card or in an alternate embodiment hardwired into an logic circuit in the card. Furthermore, by choosing e to be relatively small, ensures that the exponentiation may be carried out relatively quickly.

The certificate 20 C₁ is signed by the CA and has the parameters (n,e). The certificate contains the terminal ID T_Id, and the terminal public key information T_n and T_e which is based on the RSA algorithm. The certificate C₁ is verified 24 by the card extracting T_ID, T_n, T_e. This information is simply extracted by performing C₁^e mod n. The card then authenticates the terminal by generating a random number R1, 26, which it transmits to the terminal. The terminal signs the message R1 using its secret key T_d by performing <i>R</i>I^{<i>T</i><sub2><i>e</i></sub2>}<i> MODT</i>_<i>n</i> to generate the value C₂, 28. Once again the key used by the terminal is an RSA key which has been originally created in such a way that the public key T_e consist of a small possibly system wide parameter having a value 3, while the other part of the public key is the modulus T_n which would be associated with the terminal. The terminals private key T_d cannot be small if it corresponds to a small public key T_e. In the case of the terminal, it does not matter whether the private key T_d is chosen to be large as the terminal has the required computing power to perform the exponentiation relative quickly.

Once the terminal has calculated the value C₂, 28, it generates a secret random number R2, 29 the terminal sends both R2 and C₂, 32 to the card. The card then performs a modular exponentiation 34 on the signed value C₂ with the small exponent T_e, using the terminal's modulus T_n. This is performed by calculating R1' = C₂^Te mod T_n. If R1' is equal to R1, 36 then the card knows that it is dealing with the terminal whose ID T_ID is associated 38 with the modulus T_n. The card generally contains a modulo arithmetic processor (not shown) to perform the above operation.

The secret random number R2 is signed 40 by the card and returned to the terminal along with a certificate signed by the CA which relates the card ID to its public information. The signing by the card is performed according to an elliptic curve signature algorithm.

The verification of the card proceeds on a similar basis as the verification of the terminal, however, the signing by the card utilizes an elliptic curve encryption system.

Typically for an elliptic curve implementation a signature component s has the form:-<maths id="math0002" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mtext>s=ae+k (mod n)</mtext></mrow></math><img file="EP1548665A2_D0002.tif" /></maths>    where: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>P is a point on the curve which is a predefined parameter of the system;</li><li>k is a random integer selected as a short term private or session key, and has a corresponding short term public key R = kP;</li><li>a is the long term private key of the sender(card) and has a corresponding public key aP = Q;</li><li>e is a secure hash, such as the SHA hash function, of a message m (R2 in this case) and short term public key R; and</li><li>n is the order of the curve.</li></ul>

For simplicity it will be assumed that the signature component s is of the form s = ae + k as discussed above although it will be understood that other signature protocols may be used.

To verify the signature sP-eQ must be computed and compared with R. The card generates R, using for example a field arithmetic processor (not shown). The card sends to the terminal a message including m, s, and R, indicated in block 44 of figure 2 and the signature is verified by the terminal by computing the value (sP-eQ) 46 which should correspond to kP. If the computed values correspond 48 then the signature is verified and hence the card is verified and the transaction may continue.

The terminal checks the certificate, then it checks the signature of the transaction data which contains R2, thus authenticating the card to the terminal. In the present embodiment the signature generated by the card is an elliptic curve signature, which is easier for the card to generate, but requires more computation by the terminal to verify.

As is seen from the above equation, the calculation of s is relatively straightforward and does not require significant computing power. However in order to perform the verification it is necessary to compute a number of point multiplications to obtain sP and eQ, each of which is computationally complex. Other protocols, such as the MQV protocols require similar computations when implemented over elliptic curves which may result in slow verification when the computing power is limited. However this is generally not the case for a terminal.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to a specific protocol for the verification of the terminal and for the verification of the card, other protocols may also be used.

Further aspects of the invention are set out in the following numbered clauses:- <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>1. A method of verifying a pair of correspondents in electronic transaction said correspondents each including a first and second signature schemes said method comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>said first correspondent signing information according to said first signature scheme and transmitting said first signature to said second correspondent;</li><li>said second correspondent verifying said first signature received from said first correspondent, wherein said verification is performed according to said first signature scheme;</li><li>said second correspondent signing information according to a second signature scheme and transmitting said second signature to said first correspondent;</li><li>said first correspondent verifying said second signature received from said second correspondent, wherein said verification is performed according to said second signature algorithm; and</li><li>said transaction being rejected if either verification fails.</li></ul></li><li>2. A method as defined in clause 1, said first signature scheme is computatioally more difficult in signing than verifying, while said second signature scheme is computationally more difficult in verifying than signing, thereby allowing one of said correspondents to participate with relatively little computing power while maintaining security of said transaction.</li><li>3. A mêthod as defined in clause 1, said first digital signature scheme being an RSA type scheme and said second signature scheme being an elliptic curve type scheme.</li><li>4. A method as defined in clause 1, said first digital signature scheme being a DSS type scheme and said second signature scheme being an elliptic curve type scheme.</li><li>5. A method of verifying a pair of correspondents in electronic transaction, said correspondents each including a first and second signature scheme, said method comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>said first correspondent transmitting to said second correspondent, a certificate including public key and identification information of said first correspondent;</li><li>said second correspondent verifying said certificate and extracting said public key and identification information therefrom;</li><li>said second correspondent generating a first challenge R₁ and transmitting said challenge to said first correspondent;</li><li>said first correspondent signing said received challenge R₁ in accordance with said first signature scheme;</li><li>said first correspondent generating a second challenge and transmitting said second challenge along with said signature C2 to said second correspondent,</li><li>said second correspondent verifying said signature C2 in accordance with said first signature scheme;</li><li>said second correspondent signing said second challenge R2 in accordance with said second signature scheme and transmitting said second signature to said first correspondent; and</li><li>said first correspondent verifying said second signature in accordance with said second signature scheme, whereby said transaction is rejected if either said first signature or said second signature is not verified.</li></ul></li><li>6. A smart card for use in an electronic transaction, with a second correspondent, said card comprising: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a memory including</li><li>a first signature scheme consisting of a first signature generation algorithm and an associated verification algorithm;</li><li>a second signature scheme consisting of a second signature generation algorithm and an associated verification algorithm;</li><li>a program for invoking said algorithms; and</li><li>processor means for running said first verification algorithm for verifying first information received from said second correspondent and for running said second signature algorithm for signing a second information for transmission to said second correspondent.</li></ul></li></ul>