GOST hash

 

About GOST hash

GOST (ГОСТ) is a family of cryptographic algorithms developed in Russia and widely used in various applications, including hashing, encryption, and digital signatures. The term "GOST" stands for "Gosudarstvennyy Standard" (Государственный стандарт), which translates to "Government Standard" in English. The GOST hash functions are part of this family and are commonly used in Russian cryptographic standards.

GOST Hash Functions

There are several GOST hash functions, each designated by its output length in bits:

  1. GOST R 34.11-94 (GOST 256-bit):

    • This was the first GOST hash function standardized in 1994. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value and is also known as GOST R 34.11-94 or simply GOST 256.

  2. GOST R 34.11-2012 (Streebog):

    • This is an updated version of the GOST hash function, standardized in 2012. It is also known by its official name, Streebog. It supports several output lengths, including 256-bit, 512-bit, and 1024-bit. The specific versions are denoted as Streebog-256, Streebog-512, and Streebog-1024.

Characteristics of GOST Hash Functions

  1. Fixed-Length Output:

    • GOST hash functions produce fixed-length hash values. For instance, GOST R 34.11-94 produces a 256-bit output, while Streebog can produce 256-bit, 512-bit, or 1024-bit outputs depending on the version.

  2. Compression Function:

    • GOST hash functions use a block cipher-based compression function. The compression function applies a series of rounds involving substitutions, permutations, and mixing operations to process the input message and update the hash state.

  3. Security:

    • Both GOST R 34.11-94 and Streebog are designed to provide strong cryptographic security, resisting various types of attacks such as collision attacks and preimage attacks. Streebog, in particular, has undergone additional scrutiny and updates to enhance its security properties.

  4. Usage:

    • GOST hash functions are widely used in Russian cryptographic standards and protocols, as well as in various applications requiring secure hashing, digital signatures, and data integrity verification. They are integrated into Russian encryption standards and are supported by many cryptographic libraries and protocols.

Summary

GOST hash functions, including GOST R 34.11-94 (GOST 256) and Streebog (GOST R 34.11-2012), are cryptographic hash algorithms developed under Russian cryptographic standards. They provide fixed-length hash outputs and are designed to offer strong security properties suitable for a wide range of cryptographic applications. While historically prominent in Russian standards, their adoption globally has been influenced by the availability and standardization of other widely recognized hash functions such as SHA-2 and SHA-3.