Return-Path: Received: from smtp2.osuosl.org (smtp2.osuosl.org [IPv6:2605:bc80:3010::133]) by lists.linuxfoundation.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id ACFFBC0001 for ; Tue, 11 May 2021 17:45:30 +0000 (UTC) Received: from localhost (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by smtp2.osuosl.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 8F5E54011A for ; Tue, 11 May 2021 17:45:30 +0000 (UTC) X-Virus-Scanned: amavisd-new at osuosl.org X-Spam-Flag: NO X-Spam-Score: -2.588 X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.588 tagged_above=-999 required=5 tests=[BAYES_00=-1.9, HTML_MESSAGE=0.001, RCVD_IN_DNSWL_LOW=-0.7, RCVD_IN_MSPIKE_H3=0.001, RCVD_IN_MSPIKE_WL=0.001, SPF_HELO_PASS=-0.001, T_SPF_PERMERROR=0.01] autolearn=ham autolearn_force=no Received: from smtp2.osuosl.org ([127.0.0.1]) by localhost (smtp2.osuosl.org [127.0.0.1]) (amavisd-new, port 10024) with ESMTP id LGMsoK9FAkHJ for ; Tue, 11 May 2021 17:45:28 +0000 (UTC) X-Greylist: from auto-whitelisted by SQLgrey-1.8.0 Received: from smtp.hosts.co.uk (smtp.hosts.co.uk [85.233.160.19]) by smtp2.osuosl.org (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 75595400C2 for ; Tue, 11 May 2021 17:45:28 +0000 (UTC) Received: from mail-lj1-f181.google.com ([209.85.208.181]) by smtp.hosts.co.uk with esmtpsa (TLS1.3:TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384:256) (Exim) (envelope-from ) id 1lgWRg-0000OD-65 for bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org; Tue, 11 May 2021 18:45:26 +0100 Received: by mail-lj1-f181.google.com with SMTP id p20so2204871ljj.8 for ; Tue, 11 May 2021 10:45:24 -0700 (PDT) X-Gm-Message-State: AOAM532tiyHyiHjYA4R4Mk67hMPjA2G48GRvXjNZ3Mke/d6lpnHCa9mZ 63KLFvqichfJAvxgtx54X8++kqtVI6ZwNhMS9Ro= X-Google-Smtp-Source: ABdhPJy4oGETbmYcvg0CbzR+Ae5m0BSlvNVUIHrJeILQvI5hOW95JoA9NXJZLEpHruJHSA5nQfdAeGIjlTrplAvE14U= X-Received: by 2002:a2e:2c01:: with SMTP id s1mr25593921ljs.17.1620755123786; Tue, 11 May 2021 10:45:23 -0700 (PDT) MIME-Version: 1.0 References: In-Reply-To: From: "BitPLATES (Chris)" Date: Tue, 11 May 2021 18:45:13 +0100 X-Gmail-Original-Message-ID: Message-ID: To: "Chris D'Costa" , bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000006bdbe005c21175f6" X-Mailman-Approved-At: Tue, 11 May 2021 18:25:37 +0000 Subject: Re: [bitcoin-dev] Proposal for an Informational BIP X-BeenThere: bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.15 Precedence: list List-Id: Bitcoin Protocol Discussion List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 11 May 2021 17:45:30 -0000 --0000000000006bdbe005c21175f6 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Chris, I apologise if I did not make it clear enough, but the 24 seed words used to make the quantum passphrase are separate, newly generated 24 seed words, and not the same as those for the main wallet. With both layers (seed words + quantum passphrase) the security provided is (2048^23)^(2048^23). ie. 2048 to the power of 23, to the power of 2048 to the power of 23 possible combinations of words. The BIP39 passphrase is designed to prevent catastrophic loss of funds in the case of accidental seed word exposure. If both, seed words and quantum passphrase, are stored on two separate metal backup storage plates, in two separate locations, then the accidental disclosure of either one provides 2048^23 (or 10^76) possible combinations of words to decrypt. ie. The quantum passphrase provides the same degree of security, as the original 24 seed words. I hope this helps. Best regards, Chris On Tue, 11 May 2021, 17:54 Chris D'Costa, wrote: > "well established security of the existing BIP39 standard" > > You are basing your entire proposal on this basic misunderstanding. > > There is no inherent (or "existing") security in BIP39. All it does is > provide a standardised and convenient way to record, and recover a > private key from a readable seed phrase. In fact there are many language > versions of BIP39 dictionary. But really the worst part of the idea from = a > security perspective is that it reveals the seed phrase. Even a simple > password to encrypt (whilst possibly weak) would still never so this! > > C > > > On Tue, 11 May 2021 at 10:48, BitPLATES (Chris) < > bitplates@marketnetworks.co.uk> wrote: > >> Hi Chris, >> >> Thank you for your thoughts. >> >> Unfortunately, your analysis is incorrect. >> >> This is a non-destructive adaptation of the BIP39 standard, and is >> certainly not "rolling your own security". >> >> The 'quantum' passphrase is relying on the well established security of >> the existing BIP39 standard. >> >> There are 2048 possible words that can be chosen from the BIP39 word >> list. Therefore, to derive a seed from a string of 24 BIP39 words, is >> exactly the same as deriving a seed from the full 24 words: >> >> 2048 to the power of 23 combinations of security (not the power of 24 >> because of the checksum), or 10 to the power of 76 combinations. >> >> If you created your own combinations of words to make up a passphrase, >> this same degree of security would require 15 random words from the Engl= ish >> dictionary (assuming 100,000 English words): >> >> 100,000 to the power of 15 =3D 10 to the power of 75 combinations. >> >> The other problem with this, is that you could not plausibly deny that i= t >> was a passphrase, whereas, using a 'quantum' passphrase allows you to >> backup your passphrase disguised as a 24 seed mnemonic. >> >> I hope this alleviates your concerns. >> >> All the best, >> >> Chris >> >> >> On Tue, 11 May 2021, 09:12 Chris D'Costa, wrote= : >> >>> I think the biggest problem you have with this proposal is "rolling you= r >>> own security". >>> >>> Are you aware that the dictionary is designed such that the first four >>> letters are unique to each word? Taking those four letters and >>> concatenating them to a string basically means that I can derive your s= eed >>> from your supposedly secure "quantum" passphrase. It does not add to th= e >>> security - if anything it makes it worse. It would be orders of magnitu= de >>> worse than using a random password and encryption as most wallets have = been >>> using for years. >>> >>> C >>> >>> On Sat, 8 May 2021 at 17:21, BitPLATES=C2=AE (Chris) via bitcoin-dev < >>> bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> I'd like to submit an idea for review, as a potential informational BI= P >>>> (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal), describing an optional method of produ= cing >>>> a BIP39 passphrase, using only BIP39 'mnemonic' seed words. >>>> >>>> The idea specifically refers to a method of introducing two-factor >>>> authentication, to protect a Bitcoin wallet using only 24 seed words, = and >>>> therefore, providing plausible deniability about the existence of this >>>> separate 2nd layer passphrase. >>>> >>>> I've suggested the name 'quantum' passphrase to be used casually as a >>>> unique identifier. >>>> >>>> The data stored within a 'quantum' passphrase, is simultaneously the >>>> minimum required data for reproducing a BIP39-compatible 24-word seed >>>> mnemonic... hence, the name 'quantum' seems fitting, to reflect the >>>> multiple simultaneous states of data. >>>> >>>> Abstract... >>>> >>>> This improvement proposal describes the use of twenty four, newly >>>> generated BIP39 seed words, to produce a '25th-word' BIP39-compatible >>>> 'quantum' passphrase. >>>> >>>> Two-factor authentication (2FA) or (2 of 2 multi-signature) can be >>>> implemented with a two-wallet setup: >>>> >>>> The 1st Bitcoin wallet is protected by the seed words of the 2nd >>>> Bitcoin wallet; inversely, the 2nd Bitcoin wallet is protected by the = seed >>>> words of the 1st Bitcoin wallet. >>>> >>>> The 'quantum' passphrase offers an exponential increase in the level o= f >>>> protection, as that offered by the original BIP39 mnemonic seed words >>>> (=E2=89=882048^23 possible combinations). >>>> >>>> ie. A Bitcoin wallet with a 2nd layer 'quantum'passphrase is protected >>>> by 2048^23 to the power of 2048^23 possible combinations. >>>> >>>> With existing computer capabilities, this level of protection is far >>>> greater than required; however, this does provide a sufficient level o= f >>>> protection for each separate layer of a two-factor Bitcoin wallet, sho= uld >>>> any one layer be accidentally exposed. >>>> >>>> This method of passphrase generation, consists of two parts: >>>> >>>> 1st - generating the BIP39 mnemonic seed words, using a >>>> BIP39-compatible hardware wallet. >>>> >>>> 2nd - Converting these seed words into the 'quantum' passphrase, >>>> following four simple rules, which most importantly, do not destroy th= e >>>> integrity of the initial data. >>>> >>>> Motivation... >>>> >>>> The well established practice of preserving up to 24 seed words for th= e >>>> purpose of reproduction of a Bitcoin wallet, suffers from a major flaw= ... >>>> Exposure of these mnemonic seed words can cause catastrophic loss of f= unds >>>> without adequate multi-factor protection. >>>> >>>> Whilst it is recognised that a number of multi-factor solutions are >>>> available (including the standard BIP39 passphrase, and hardware walle= t >>>> multi-signature functionality), this proposal aims to provide an extre= mely >>>> safe and secure 'low-tech' option, that requires minimal (non-destruct= ive) >>>> adjustments to the seed words. >>>> >>>> Furthermore, the 'quantum' passphrase offers a number advantages over >>>> the existing methods of multi-factor protection: >>>> >>>> Firstly, this method of creating a passphrase leaves no evidence of it= s >>>> existence on any backup devices, providing plausible deniability in ca= se of >>>> coercion. >>>> >>>> This is because the passphrase is easily created from a genuine 24 see= d >>>> word mnemonic; therefore, the physical backup of the passphrase can be >>>> disguised as a simple Bitcoin wallet on a metal backup plate. >>>> >>>> It presents a way of discouraging user-created words or sentences (als= o >>>> known as 'brain-wallets'), which often provide a drastically reduced l= evel >>>> of passphrase security, unbeknown to many users. >>>> >>>> The large amount of data required to produce a 'quantum' passphrase (u= p >>>> to 96 characters long), encourages the physical backup of the passphra= se. >>>> >>>> Furthermore, the use of BIP39-only words provides a higher degree of >>>> standardization, which can help to avoid potential mistakes made by >>>> creating unnecessarily complicated combinations of letters, numbers an= d >>>> symbols. Increased complication (disorderly, and non-human-friendly), = does >>>> not always equal increased complexity (orderly, and more human-friendl= y), >>>> or increased security. >>>> >>>> As previously mentioned, a two-wallet configuration provides the user >>>> an opportunity to safely split the two factors of protection (equivale= nt to >>>> a 2 of 2 'multi-sig' setup). >>>> >>>> If a BIP39-compatible passphrase is created using a new set of 24 seed >>>> words, it provides 76 degrees of extra complexity (ie. 1 with 76 zeros= , or >>>> 10=E2=81=B7=E2=81=B6 possible combinations of words). >>>> >>>> The strength of this 2nd factor solution, provides adequate >>>> risk-management, when considering the production of multiple backup >>>> devices, strategically stored in multiple geographical locations. >>>> >>>> Generating the 'quantum' passphrase... >>>> >>>> Following just four (non-destructive) BIP39-compatible rules, the 24 >>>> seed words can also function as a 'quantum' passphrase: >>>> >>>> 1 . Only BIP39 words >>>> (Standard list of 2048 English words - other languages should be >>>> compatible) >>>> >>>> 2 . Only the first four letters of each word >>>> (BIP39 words require only this data for reproduction) >>>> >>>> 3 . Only upper case letters >>>> (All alphabet references use this standard format) >>>> >>>> 4 . No spaces between words >>>> (Spaces represent an additional unit of data, that is not recorded) >>>> >>>> In essence, the 'quantum' passphrase is simply a single string of all >>>> 24 seed words, set out using the above rules. >>>> >>>> I welcome a productive technical discussion. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> >>>> Chris Johnston >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> bitcoin-dev mailing list >>>> bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org >>>> https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev >>>> >>> --0000000000006bdbe005c21175f6 Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi Chris,
<= br>
I apologise if I did not make it clear enough, b= ut the 24 seed words used to make the quantum passphrase are separate, newl= y generated 24 seed words, and not the same as those for the main wallet.

With both layers (seed wo= rds + quantum passphrase) the security provided is (2048^23)^(2048^23).

ie. 2048 to the power of 23= , to the power of 2048 to the power of 23 possible combinations of words.

The BIP39 passphrase is d= esigned to prevent catastrophic loss of funds in the case of accidental see= d word exposure.

If both= , seed words and quantum passphrase, are stored on two separate metal backu= p storage plates, in two separate locations, then the accidental disclosure= of either one provides 2048^23 (or 10^76) possible combinations of words t= o decrypt.

ie. The quant= um passphrase provides the same degree of security, as the original 24 seed= words.

I hope this help= s.

Best regards,

Chris

On Tue, 11 May 2021, 17:54 Chris D'Costa, <chrisjdcosta@gmail.com> wrote:
"well established security of t= he existing BIP39 standard"

You are basing your ent= ire proposal on this basic misunderstanding.=C2=A0

There is no inherent (or "existing") security in BIP39. All it d= oes is provide a standardised and convenient way to record, and recover a p= rivate=C2=A0key from a readable seed phrase. In fact there are many languag= e versions of BIP39 dictionary. But really the worst part of the idea from = a security perspective is that it reveals the seed phrase. Even a simple pa= ssword to encrypt (whilst possibly weak) would still never so this!=C2=A0

C


On Tue, 11 May 2021 at 10:48,= BitPLATES (Chris) <bitplates@marketnetworks.co.uk> w= rote:
Hi Chris,

Thank you for your thoughts.

Unfortunately, your analysis is incorrect.
This is a non-destructive adaptation of the BIP39 = standard, and is certainly not "rolling your own security".
=

The 'quantum' passphr= ase is relying on the well established security of the existing BIP39 stand= ard.

There are 2048 poss= ible words that can be chosen from the BIP39 word list. Therefore, to deriv= e a seed from a string of 24 BIP39 words, is exactly the same as deriving a= seed from the full 24 words:

2048 to the power of 23 combinations of security (not the power of 24= because of the checksum), or 10 to the power of 76 combinations.

If you created your own combinati= ons of words to make up a passphrase, this same degree of security would re= quire 15 random words from the English dictionary (assuming 100,000 English= words):

100,000 to the = power of 15 =3D 10 to the power of 75 combinations.
=
The other problem with this, is that you could = not plausibly deny that it was a passphrase, whereas, using a 'quantum&= #39; passphrase allows you to backup your passphrase disguised as a 24 seed= mnemonic.

I hope this a= lleviates your concerns.

All the best,

Chris


On Tue, 11 May 2021,= 09:12 Chris D'Costa, <chrisjdcosta@gmail.com> wrote:
=
I think the biggest problem you have with this proposal is &= quot;rolling your own security".

Are you= aware that the dictionary is designed such that the first four letters are= unique to each word? Taking those four letters and concatenating them to a= string basically means that I can derive your seed from your supposedly se= cure "quantum" passphrase. It does not add to the security - if a= nything it makes it worse. It would be orders of magnitude worse than using= a random password and encryption as most wallets have been using for years= .

C

On Sat, 8 May 2021 at 17:21, BitPLATES=C2=AE = (Chris) via bitcoin-dev <bitcoin-dev@lists= .linuxfoundation.org> wrote:
Hi,

I'd like to submit an idea for review, as a potential infor= mational BIP (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal), describing an optional method = of producing a BIP39 passphrase, using only BIP39 'mnemonic' seed w= ords.

The idea specifica= lly refers to a method of introducing two-factor authentication, to protect= a Bitcoin wallet using only 24 seed words, and therefore, providing plausi= ble deniability about the existence of this separate 2nd layer passphrase.<= /div>

I've suggested the n= ame 'quantum' passphrase to be used casually as a unique identifier= .

The data stored within= a 'quantum' passphrase, is simultaneously the minimum required dat= a for reproducing a BIP39-compatible 24-word seed mnemonic... hence, the na= me 'quantum' seems fitting, to reflect the multiple simultaneous st= ates of data.

Abstract...

Th= is improvement proposal describes the use of twenty four, newly generated B= IP39 seed words, to produce a '25th-word' BIP39-compatible 'qua= ntum' passphrase.

Tw= o-factor authentication (2FA) or (2 of 2 multi-signature) can be implemente= d with a two-wallet setup:

The 1st Bitcoin wallet is protected by the seed words of the 2nd Bitcoin= wallet; inversely, the 2nd Bitcoin wallet is protected by the seed words o= f the 1st Bitcoin wallet.

The 'quantum' passphrase offers an exponential increase in the le= vel of protection, as that offered by the original BIP39 mnemonic seed word= s (=E2=89=882048^23 possible combinations).

ie. A Bitcoin wallet with a 2nd layer 'quantum'= passphrase is protected by 2048^23 to the power of 2048^23 possible combina= tions.

With existing com= puter capabilities, this level of protection is far greater than required; = however, this does provide a sufficient level of protection for each separa= te layer of a two-factor Bitcoin wallet, should any one layer be accidental= ly exposed.

This method = of passphrase generation, consists of two parts:
1st - generating the BIP39 mnemonic seed words, us= ing a BIP39-compatible hardware wallet.

2nd - Converting these seed words into the 'quantum'= ; passphrase, following four simple rules, which most importantly, do not d= estroy the integrity of the initial data.

=
Motivation...

The well established practice of preserving up to 24 seed words f= or the purpose of reproduction of a Bitcoin wallet, suffers from a major fl= aw... Exposure of these mnemonic seed words can cause catastrophic loss of = funds without adequate multi-factor protection.

=
Whilst it is recognised that a number of multi-fact= or solutions are available (including the standard BIP39 passphrase, and ha= rdware wallet multi-signature functionality), this proposal aims to provide= an extremely safe and secure 'low-tech' option, that requires mini= mal (non-destructive) adjustments to the seed words.

Furthermore, the 'quantum' passphrase = offers a number advantages over the existing methods of multi-factor protec= tion:

Firstly, this meth= od of creating a passphrase leaves no evidence of its existence on any back= up devices, providing plausible deniability in case of coercion.

This is because the passphrase is = easily created from a genuine 24 seed word mnemonic; therefore, the physica= l backup of the passphrase can be disguised as a simple Bitcoin wallet on a= metal backup plate.

It = presents a way of discouraging user-created words or sentences (also known = as 'brain-wallets'), which often provide a drastically reduced leve= l of passphrase security, unbeknown to many users.
<= br>
The large amount of data required to produce a &= #39;quantum' passphrase (up to 96 characters long), encourages the phys= ical backup of the passphrase.

Furthermore, the use of BIP39-only words provides a higher degree of= standardization, which can help to avoid potential mistakes made by creati= ng unnecessarily complicated combinations of letters, numbers and symbols. = Increased complication (disorderly, and non-human-friendly), does not alway= s equal increased complexity (orderly, and more human-friendly), or increas= ed security.

As previous= ly mentioned, a two-wallet configuration provides the user an opportunity t= o safely split the two factors of protection (equivalent to a 2 of 2 'm= ulti-sig' setup).

If= a BIP39-compatible passphrase is created using a new set of 24 seed words,= it provides 76 degrees of extra complexity (ie. 1 with 76 zeros, or 10=E2= =81=B7=E2=81=B6 possible combinations of words).
The strength of this 2nd factor solution, provides= adequate risk-management, when considering the production of multiple back= up devices, strategically stored in multiple geographical locations.
<= div dir=3D"auto">
Generating the 'quantum= 9; passphrase...

Followi= ng just four (non-destructive) BIP39-compatible rules, the 24 seed words ca= n also function as a 'quantum' passphrase:
<= br>
1 . Only BIP39 words
(Sta= ndard list of 2048 English words - other languages should be compatible)

2 . Only the first four le= tters of each word
(BIP39 words require only this da= ta for reproduction)

3 .= Only upper case letters
(All alphabet references us= e this standard format)

= 4 . No spaces between words
(Spaces represent an add= itional unit of data, that is not recorded)

In essence, the 'quantum' passphrase is simply = a single string of all 24 seed words, set out using the above rules.
<= div dir=3D"auto">
I welcome a productive technic= al discussion.

Thanks,

Chris Johnston


_______________________________________________
bitcoin-dev mailing list
bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org
https://lists.li= nuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/bitcoin-dev
--0000000000006bdbe005c21175f6--