CWE-327
Allowed-with-ReviewUse of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm
Abstraction: Class · Status: Draft
The product uses a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm or protocol.
963 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-P3QQ-3W96-8X5W
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:07 – Updated: 2023-08-08 15:31Missing cryptographic steps in the Identity-Based Encryption service of FortiMail before 7.0.0 may allow an attacker who comes in possession of the encrypted master keys to compromise their confidentiality by observing a few invariant properties of the ciphertext.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-26099"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-07-12T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Missing cryptographic steps in the Identity-Based Encryption service of FortiMail before 7.0.0 may allow an attacker who comes in possession of the encrypted master keys to compromise their confidentiality by observing a few invariant properties of the ciphertext.",
"id": "GHSA-p3qq-3w96-8x5w",
"modified": "2023-08-08T15:31:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:07:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-26099"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.com/advisory/FG-IR-20-244"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-P3R9-6FHW-HGV8
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 19:13 – Updated: 2022-05-24 19:13The ElGamal implementation in Crypto++ through 8.5 allows plaintext recovery because, during interaction between two cryptographic libraries, a certain dangerous combination of the prime defined by the receiver's public key, the generator defined by the receiver's public key, and the sender's ephemeral exponents can lead to a cross-configuration attack against OpenPGP.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-40530"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-09-06T19:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The ElGamal implementation in Crypto++ through 8.5 allows plaintext recovery because, during interaction between two cryptographic libraries, a certain dangerous combination of the prime defined by the receiver\u0027s public key, the generator defined by the receiver\u0027s public key, and the sender\u0027s ephemeral exponents can lead to a cross-configuration attack against OpenPGP.",
"id": "GHSA-p3r9-6fhw-hgv8",
"modified": "2022-05-24T19:13:02Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T19:13:02Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40530"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://eprint.iacr.org/2021/923"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ibm.github.io/system-security-research-updates/2021/07/20/insecurity-elgamal-pt1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://ibm.github.io/system-security-research-updates/2021/09/06/insecurity-elgamal-pt2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/57OJA2K5AHX5HAU2QBDRWLGIIUX7GASC"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/HGVBZ2TTRKCTYAZTRHTF6OBD4W37F5MT"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VJYOZGWI7TD27SEXILSM6VUTPPEICDL7"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-P52H-RP33-X9GQ
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:36 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:36The default SSH configuration in Rapid7 Nexpose hardware appliances shipped before June 2017 does not specify desired algorithms for key exchange and other important functions. As a result, it falls back to allowing ALL algorithms supported by the relevant version of OpenSSH and makes the installations vulnerable to a range of MITM, downgrade, and decryption attacks.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2017-5243"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2017-06-06T16:29:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "The default SSH configuration in Rapid7 Nexpose hardware appliances shipped before June 2017 does not specify desired algorithms for key exchange and other important functions. As a result, it falls back to allowing ALL algorithms supported by the relevant version of OpenSSH and makes the installations vulnerable to a range of MITM, downgrade, and decryption attacks.",
"id": "GHSA-p52h-rp33-x9gq",
"modified": "2022-05-13T01:36:38Z",
"published": "2022-05-13T01:36:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5243"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://community.rapid7.com/community/nexpose/blog/2017/05/31/r7-2017-13-nexpose-hardware-appliance-ssh-enabled-obsolete-algorithms-cve-2017-5243"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-P5J8-HCX4-456V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-11 00:01 – Updated: 2026-02-24 18:30The fingerprint module has a security risk of brute force cracking. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect data confidentiality.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-40006"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-326",
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-01-10T14:10:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "The fingerprint module has a security risk of brute force cracking. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may affect data confidentiality.",
"id": "GHSA-p5j8-hcx4-456v",
"modified": "2026-02-24T18:30:55Z",
"published": "2022-01-11T00:01:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40006"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/bulletin/2023/8"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://device.harmonyos.com/en/docs/security/update/security-bulletins-202112-0000001183296718"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://device.harmonyos.com/en/docs/security/update/security-bulletins-202308-0000001667644725"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-P5PH-FPGV-7C3V
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:35 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:35IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.3.0.1 (CP4S) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms during negotiation could allow an attacker to decrypt sensitive information.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-4624"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-11-30T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.3.0.1 (CP4S) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms during negotiation could allow an attacker to decrypt sensitive information.",
"id": "GHSA-p5ph-fpgv-7c3v",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:35:18Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:35:18Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-4624"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/185359"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6372532"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-P5R3-98FJ-VGCV
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:58 – Updated: 2024-04-04 02:12"managed-keys" is a feature which allows a BIND resolver to automatically maintain the keys used by trust anchors which operators configure for use in DNSSEC validation. Due to an error in the managed-keys feature it is possible for a BIND server which uses managed-keys to exit due to an assertion failure if, during key rollover, a trust anchor's keys are replaced with keys which use an unsupported algorithm. Versions affected: BIND 9.9.0 -> 9.10.8-P1, 9.11.0 -> 9.11.5-P1, 9.12.0 -> 9.12.3-P1, and versions 9.9.3-S1 -> 9.11.5-S3 of BIND 9 Supported Preview Edition. Versions 9.13.0 -> 9.13.6 of the 9.13 development branch are also affected. Versions prior to BIND 9.9.0 have not been evaluated for vulnerability to CVE-2018-5745.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2018-5745"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-10-09T16:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "\"managed-keys\" is a feature which allows a BIND resolver to automatically maintain the keys used by trust anchors which operators configure for use in DNSSEC validation. Due to an error in the managed-keys feature it is possible for a BIND server which uses managed-keys to exit due to an assertion failure if, during key rollover, a trust anchor\u0027s keys are replaced with keys which use an unsupported algorithm. Versions affected: BIND 9.9.0 -\u003e 9.10.8-P1, 9.11.0 -\u003e 9.11.5-P1, 9.12.0 -\u003e 9.12.3-P1, and versions 9.9.3-S1 -\u003e 9.11.5-S3 of BIND 9 Supported Preview Edition. Versions 9.13.0 -\u003e 9.13.6 of the 9.13 development branch are also affected. Versions prior to BIND 9.9.0 have not been evaluated for vulnerability to CVE-2018-5745.",
"id": "GHSA-p5r3-98fj-vgcv",
"modified": "2024-04-04T02:12:09Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:58:11Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-5745"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3552"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://kb.isc.org/docs/cve-2018-5745"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-P73V-QH88-FQC2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:57 – Updated: 2022-05-24 16:57MatrixSSL 4.2.1 and earlier contains a timing side channel in ECDSA signature generation. This allows a local or a remote attacker, able to measure the duration of hundreds to thousands of signing operations, to compute the private key used. The issue occurs because crypto/pubkey/ecc_math.c scalar multiplication leaks the bit length of the scalar.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-13629"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-10-03T14:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "MatrixSSL 4.2.1 and earlier contains a timing side channel in ECDSA signature generation. This allows a local or a remote attacker, able to measure the duration of hundreds to thousands of signing operations, to compute the private key used. The issue occurs because crypto/pubkey/ecc_math.c scalar multiplication leaks the bit length of the scalar.",
"id": "GHSA-p73v-qh88-fqc2",
"modified": "2022-05-24T16:57:47Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:57:47Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-13629"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://eprint.iacr.org/2011/232.pdf"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://minerva.crocs.fi.muni.cz"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tches.iacr.org/index.php/TCHES/article/view/7337"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/10/02/2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-P7QJ-2Q5W-F9R7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-06-11 09:31 – Updated: 2026-06-11 09:31Wss4jSecurityInterceptor defaulted allowRSA15KeyTransportAlgorithm to true, overriding Apache WSS4J's safer default for validation RequestData. Inbound WS-Security decryption could therefore accept RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 (rsa-1_5) encrypted key material unless operators explicitly reconfigured the flag.
Affected versions: Spring Web Services 5.0.0 through 5.0.1; 4.1.0 through 4.1.3; 4.0.0 through 4.0.18; 3.1.0 through 3.1.8.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-40996"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-06-11T07:16:27Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Wss4jSecurityInterceptor defaulted allowRSA15KeyTransportAlgorithm to true, overriding Apache WSS4J\u0027s safer default for validation RequestData. Inbound WS-Security decryption could therefore accept RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 (rsa-1_5) encrypted key material unless operators explicitly reconfigured the flag.\n\nAffected versions:\nSpring Web Services 5.0.0 through 5.0.1; 4.1.0 through 4.1.3; 4.0.0 through 4.0.18; 3.1.0 through 3.1.8.",
"id": "GHSA-p7qj-2q5w-f9r7",
"modified": "2026-06-11T09:31:56Z",
"published": "2026-06-11T09:31:56Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40996"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://spring.io/security/cve-2026-40996"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-P7QX-FG8R-MFQ9
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:22 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:22During RSA key generation, bignum implementations used a variation of the Binary Extended Euclidean Algorithm which entailed significantly input-dependent flow. This allowed an attacker able to perform electromagnetic-based side channel attacks to record traces leading to the recovery of the secret primes. Note: An unmodified Firefox browser does not generate RSA keys in normal operation and is not affected, but products built on top of it might. This vulnerability affects Firefox < 78.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2020-12402"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-203",
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2020-07-09T15:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "During RSA key generation, bignum implementations used a variation of the Binary Extended Euclidean Algorithm which entailed significantly input-dependent flow. This allowed an attacker able to perform electromagnetic-based side channel attacks to record traces leading to the recovery of the secret primes. *Note:* An unmodified Firefox browser does not generate RSA keys in normal operation and is not affected, but products built on top of it might. This vulnerability affects Firefox \u003c 78.",
"id": "GHSA-p7qx-fg8r-mfq9",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:22:38Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:22:38Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-12402"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1631597"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00029.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/RFL6UNFK4MG2WDXLMLFAEIUSM5EUK7CG"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/UWVDJRARXNWWWTCGMM63EXLQHH2LNOXO"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202007-10"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4417-1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://usn.ubuntu.com/4417-2"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4726"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.mozilla.org/security/advisories/mfsa2020-24"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-07/msg00016.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-07/msg00018.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-07/msg00027.html"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-07/msg00049.html"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-P8R8-86RR-6MRF
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-07-08 21:30 – Updated: 2025-07-08 21:30IBM OpenPages with Watson 8.3 and 9.0
could provide weaker than expected security in storage of encrypted data with AES encryption and CBC mode. If an authenticated remote attacker with access to the database or a local attacker with access to server files could extract the encrypted data values they could exploit this weaker algorithm to use additional cryptographic methods to possibly extract the encrypted data.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-49784"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-327"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-07-08T19:15:39Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "IBM OpenPages with Watson 8.3 and 9.0 \n\ncould provide weaker than expected security in storage of encrypted data with AES encryption and CBC mode. If an authenticated remote attacker with access to the database or a local attacker with access to server files could extract the encrypted data values they could exploit this weaker algorithm to use additional cryptographic methods to possibly extract the encrypted data.",
"id": "GHSA-p8r8-86rr-6mrf",
"modified": "2025-07-08T21:30:27Z",
"published": "2025-07-08T21:30:27Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-49784"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7239145"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation MIT-24
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
- When there is a need to store or transmit sensitive data, use strong, up-to-date cryptographic algorithms to encrypt that data. Select a well-vetted algorithm that is currently considered to be strong by experts in the field, and use well-tested implementations. As with all cryptographic mechanisms, the source code should be available for analysis.
- For example, US government systems require FIPS 140-2 certification [REF-1192].
- Do not develop custom or private cryptographic algorithms. They will likely be exposed to attacks that are well-understood by cryptographers. Reverse engineering techniques are mature. If the algorithm can be compromised if attackers find out how it works, then it is especially weak.
- Periodically ensure that the cryptography has not become obsolete. Some older algorithms, once thought to require a billion years of computing time, can now be broken in days or hours. This includes MD4, MD5, SHA1, DES, and other algorithms that were once regarded as strong. [REF-267]
Mitigation MIT-52
Ensure that the design allows one cryptographic algorithm to be replaced with another in the next generation or version. Where possible, use wrappers to make the interfaces uniform. This will make it easier to upgrade to stronger algorithms. With hardware, design the product at the Intellectual Property (IP) level so that one cryptographic algorithm can be replaced with another in the next generation of the hardware product.
Mitigation
Carefully manage and protect cryptographic keys (see CWE-320). If the keys can be guessed or stolen, then the strength of the cryptography itself is irrelevant.
Mitigation MIT-4
Strategy: Libraries or Frameworks
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid [REF-1482].
- Industry-standard implementations will save development time and may be more likely to avoid errors that can occur during implementation of cryptographic algorithms. Consider the ESAPI Encryption feature.
Mitigation MIT-25
When using industry-approved techniques, use them correctly. Don't cut corners by skipping resource-intensive steps (CWE-325). These steps are often essential for preventing common attacks.
CAPEC-20: Encryption Brute Forcing
An attacker, armed with the cipher text and the encryption algorithm used, performs an exhaustive (brute force) search on the key space to determine the key that decrypts the cipher text to obtain the plaintext.
CAPEC-459: Creating a Rogue Certification Authority Certificate
An adversary exploits a weakness resulting from using a hashing algorithm with weak collision resistance to generate certificate signing requests (CSR) that contain collision blocks in their "to be signed" parts. The adversary submits one CSR to be signed by a trusted certificate authority then uses the signed blob to make a second certificate appear signed by said certificate authority. Due to the hash collision, both certificates, though different, hash to the same value and so the signed blob works just as well in the second certificate. The net effect is that the adversary's second X.509 certificate, which the Certification Authority has never seen, is now signed and validated by that Certification Authority.
CAPEC-473: Signature Spoof
An attacker generates a message or datablock that causes the recipient to believe that the message or datablock was generated and cryptographically signed by an authoritative or reputable source, misleading a victim or victim operating system into performing malicious actions.
CAPEC-475: Signature Spoofing by Improper Validation
An adversary exploits a cryptographic weakness in the signature verification algorithm implementation to generate a valid signature without knowing the key.
CAPEC-608: Cryptanalysis of Cellular Encryption
The use of cryptanalytic techniques to derive cryptographic keys or otherwise effectively defeat cellular encryption to reveal traffic content. Some cellular encryption algorithms such as A5/1 and A5/2 (specified for GSM use) are known to be vulnerable to such attacks and commercial tools are available to execute these attacks and decrypt mobile phone conversations in real-time. Newer encryption algorithms in use by UMTS and LTE are stronger and currently believed to be less vulnerable to these types of attacks. Note, however, that an attacker with a Cellular Rogue Base Station can force the use of weak cellular encryption even by newer mobile devices.
CAPEC-614: Rooting SIM Cards
SIM cards are the de facto trust anchor of mobile devices worldwide. The cards protect the mobile identity of subscribers, associate devices with phone numbers, and increasingly store payment credentials, for example in NFC-enabled phones with mobile wallets. This attack leverages over-the-air (OTA) updates deployed via cryptographically-secured SMS messages to deliver executable code to the SIM. By cracking the DES key, an attacker can send properly signed binary SMS messages to a device, which are treated as Java applets and are executed on the SIM. These applets are allowed to send SMS, change voicemail numbers, and query the phone location, among many other predefined functions. These capabilities alone provide plenty of potential for abuse.
CAPEC-97: Cryptanalysis
Cryptanalysis is a process of finding weaknesses in cryptographic algorithms and using these weaknesses to decipher the ciphertext without knowing the secret key (instance deduction). Sometimes the weakness is not in the cryptographic algorithm itself, but rather in how it is applied that makes cryptanalysis successful. An attacker may have other goals as well, such as: Total Break (finding the secret key), Global Deduction (finding a functionally equivalent algorithm for encryption and decryption that does not require knowledge of the secret key), Information Deduction (gaining some information about plaintexts or ciphertexts that was not previously known) and Distinguishing Algorithm (the attacker has the ability to distinguish the output of the encryption (ciphertext) from a random permutation of bits).