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https://doi.org/10.2...arrow_drop_down
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.6...
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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.causal Cryptanalysis: Black-Box Security Margins and Blind Cipher Identification

Authors: David Tom Foss;

.causal Cryptanalysis: Black-Box Security Margins and Blind Cipher Identification

Abstract

<span> <div> <p>We demonstrate that deterministic causal graph inference over black-box cipher output yields a universal framework for automated security margin analysis and cipher architecture identification. Using the .causal binary format for structured knowledge graph inference, we introduce CASI (Causal Amplification Security Index), a single-number metric that quantifies the structural weakness of reduced-round cipher output relative to the full-round baseline.</p> <p>Across six cipher families spanning four architectural classes — ARX stream (ChaCha20, Salsa20), SPN block (AES-128), ARX Feistel (Speck 32/64), Feistel with key-dependent S-boxes (Blowfish), and Feistel with fixed S-boxes (3DES) — CASI detection frontiers match published cryptanalysis results. On Speck 32/64, the CASI frontier aligns with Gohr's neural distinguisher (CRYPTO 2019) within one round, achieved without training, without GPU computation, and without cipher-specific tuning. Furthermore, .causal graph topology enables correct identification of all five architecture classes from reduced-round output alone.</p> <p>Key results: 6 ciphers × 28 round configurations analyzed; CASI frontier matches Gohr within 1 round on Speck 32/64; 100% blind architecture classification (5 classes); same 17 extraction strategies across all ciphers with no cipher-specific tuning. All code, cipher implementations, and generated .causal files are included in this deposit.</p> </div></span>

Keywords

automated cryptanalysis, AES, Speck, black-box analysis, causal graph inference, cipher identification, ChaCha, CASI

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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