JOSE Working Group                                            M.B. Jones
Internet-Draft                                    Self-Issued Consulting
Updates: 7518, 8037, 8152, 9053 (if approved)                  O. Steele
Intended status: Standards Track                               Transmute
Expires: 20 September 2025                                 19 March 2025


              Fully-Specified Algorithms for JOSE and COSE
             draft-ietf-jose-fully-specified-algorithms-08

Abstract

   This specification refers to cryptographic algorithm identifiers that
   fully specify the cryptographic operations to be performed, including
   any curve, key derivation function (KDF), hash functions, etc., as
   being "fully specified".  Whereas, it refers to cryptographic
   algorithm identifiers that require additional information beyond the
   algorithm identifier to determine the cryptographic operations to be
   performed as being "polymorphic".  This specification creates fully-
   specified algorithm identifiers for registered JOSE and COSE
   polymorphic algorithm identifiers, enabling applications to use only
   fully-specified algorithm identifiers.

Status of This Memo

   This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
   provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.

   Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
   Task Force (IETF).  Note that other groups may also distribute
   working documents as Internet-Drafts.  The list of current Internet-
   Drafts is at https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.

   Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
   and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
   time.  It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
   material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."

   This Internet-Draft will expire on 20 September 2025.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2025 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/
   license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document.



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   Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
   and restrictions with respect to this document.  Code Components
   extracted from this document must include Revised BSD License text as
   described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are
   provided without warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
     1.1.  Requirements Notation and Conventions . . . . . . . . . .   4
   2.  Fully-Specified Digital Signature Algorithm Identifiers . . .   4
     2.1.  Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA)  . . .   4
     2.2.  Edwards-Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA) . . . .   5
   3.  Fully-Specified Encryption  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     3.1.  Fully-Specified Encryption Algorithms . . . . . . . . . .   7
     3.2.  Polymorphic Encryption Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
   4.  IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     4.1.  JOSE Algorithms Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
       4.1.1.  Fully-Specified JOSE Algorithm Registrations  . . . .   8
       4.1.2.  Deprecated Polymorphic JOSE Algorithm
               Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     4.2.  COSE Algorithms Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
       4.2.1.  Fully-Specified COSE Algorithm Registrations  . . . .   9
       4.2.2.  Deprecated Polymorphic COSE Algorithm
               Registrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     4.3.  Updated Review Instructions for Designated Experts  . . .  11
       4.3.1.  JSON Web Signature and Encryption Algorithms  . . . .  11
       4.3.2.  COSE Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
     4.4.  Defining Deprecated and Prohibited  . . . . . . . . . . .  12
   5.  Key Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
   6.  Notes on Algorithms Not Updated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     6.1.  RSA Signing Algorithms  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     6.2.  ECDH Key Agreement Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
     6.3.  HSS/LMS Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm  . . . . .  14
   7.  Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
   8.  References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
     8.1.  Normative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
     8.2.  Informative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
   Appendix A.  Document History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
   Acknowledgements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
   Authors' Addresses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

1.  Introduction

   The IANA algorithm registries for JOSE [IANA.JOSE] and COSE
   [IANA.COSE] contain two kinds of algorithm identifiers:





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   Fully Specified
      Those that fully determine the cryptographic operations to be
      performed, including any curve, key derivation function (KDF),
      hash functions, etc.  Examples are RS256 and ES256K in both JOSE
      and COSE and ES256 in JOSE.

   Polymorphic
      Those requiring information beyond the algorithm identifier to
      determine the cryptographic operations to be performed.  Such
      additional information could include the actual key value and a
      curve that it uses.  Examples are EdDSA in both JOSE and COSE and
      ES256 in COSE.

   This matters because many protocols negotiate supported operations
   using only algorithm identifiers.  For instance, OAuth Authorization
   Server Metadata [RFC8414] uses negotiation parameters like these
   (from an example in the specification):

     "token_endpoint_auth_signing_alg_values_supported":
       ["RS256", "ES256"]

   OpenID Connect Discovery [OpenID.Discovery] likewise negotiates
   supported algorithms using alg and enc values.  W3C Web
   Authentication [WebAuthn] and FIDO Client to Authenticator Protocol
   (CTAP) [FIDO2] negotiate using COSE alg numbers.

   This does not work for polymorphic algorithms.  For instance, with
   EdDSA, it is not known which of the curves Ed25519 and/or Ed448 are
   supported!  This causes real problems in practice.

   WebAuthn contains this de-facto algorithm definition to work around
   this problem:

     -8 (EdDSA), where crv is 6 (Ed25519)

   This redefines the COSE EdDSA algorithm identifier for the purposes
   of WebAuthn to restrict it to using the Ed25519 curve - making it
   non-polymorphic so that algorithm negotiation can succeed, but also
   effectively eliminating the possibility of using Ed448.  Other
   similar workarounds for polymorphic algorithm identifiers are used in
   practice.

   Note that using fully-specified algorithms is sometimes referred to
   as the "cipher suite" approach; using polymorphic algorithms is
   sometimes referred to as the "à la carte" approach.






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   This specification creates fully-specified algorithm identifiers for
   registered polymorphic JOSE and COSE algorithms and their parameters,
   enabling applications to use only fully-specified algorithm
   identifiers.  Furthermore, it deprecates the practice of registering
   polymorphic algorithm identifiers.

1.1.  Requirements Notation and Conventions

   The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
   "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and
   "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP
   14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all
   capitals, as shown here.

2.  Fully-Specified Digital Signature Algorithm Identifiers

   This section creates fully-specified digital signature algorithm
   identifiers for a set of registered polymorphic JOSE and COSE
   algorithms and their parameters.

2.1.  Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA)

   [RFC9053] defines the current use of the Elliptic Curve Digital
   Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) by COSE.  The COSE algorithm
   registrations for ECDSA are polymorphic, since they do not specify
   the curve used.  For instance, ES256 is defined as "ECDSA w/ SHA-256"
   in Section 2.1 of [RFC9053].  (The corresponding JOSE registrations
   in [RFC7518] are full-specified.)

   The following fully-specified COSE ECDSA algorithms are defined:





















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      +========+==================+===================+=============+
      | Name   | COSE Value       | Description       | COSE        |
      |        |                  |                   | Recommended |
      +========+==================+===================+=============+
      | ESP256 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using P-256 | Yes         |
      |        | assignment -9)   | curve and SHA-256 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESP384 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using P-384 | Yes         |
      |        | assignment -48)  | curve and SHA-384 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESP512 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using P-521 | Yes         |
      |        | assignment -49)  | curve and SHA-512 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESB256 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using       | No          |
      |        | assignment -265) | BrainpoolP256r1   |             |
      |        |                  | curve and SHA-256 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESB320 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using       | No          |
      |        | assignment -266) | BrainpoolP320r1   |             |
      |        |                  | curve and SHA-384 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESB384 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using       | No          |
      |        | assignment -267) | BrainpoolP384r1   |             |
      |        |                  | curve and SHA-384 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+
      | ESB512 | TBD (requested   | ECDSA using       | No          |
      |        | assignment -268) | BrainpoolP512r1   |             |
      |        |                  | curve and SHA-512 |             |
      +--------+------------------+-------------------+-------------+

                      Table 1: ECDSA Algorithm Values

2.2.  Edwards-Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA)

   [RFC8037] defines the current use of the Edwards-Curve Digital
   Signature Algorithm (EdDSA) by JOSE and [RFC9053] defines its current
   use by COSE.  Both register polymorphic EdDSA algorithm identifiers.

   The following fully-specified JOSE and COSE EdDSA algorithms are
   defined:











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    +=======+============+=============+================+=============+
    |Name   | COSE Value | Description | JOSE           | COSE        |
    |       |            |             | Implementation | Recommended |
    |       |            |             | Requirements   |             |
    +=======+============+=============+================+=============+
    |Ed25519| TBD        | EdDSA using | Optional       | Yes         |
    |       | (requested | Ed25519     |                |             |
    |       | assignment | curve       |                |             |
    |       | -50)       |             |                |             |
    +-------+------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+
    |Ed448  | TBD        | EdDSA using | Optional       | Yes         |
    |       | (requested | Ed448 curve |                |             |
    |       | assignment |             |                |             |
    |       | -51)       |             |                |             |
    +-------+------------+-------------+----------------+-------------+

                      Table 2: EdDSA Algorithm Values

3.  Fully-Specified Encryption

   This section describes the construction of fully-specified encryption
   algorithm identifiers in the context of existing the JOSE and COSE
   encryption schemes JSON Web Encryption, (JWE) as described in
   [RFC7516] and [RFC7518], and COSE Encrypt, as described in [RFC9052]
   and [RFC9053].

   Using fully-specified encryption algorithms enables the sender and
   receiver to agree on all mandatory security parameters.  They also
   enable protocols to specify an allow list of algorithm combinations
   that does not include polymorphic combinations, prventing problems
   such as cross-curve key establishment, cross-mode symmetric
   encryption, or mismatched KDF size to symmetric key scenarios.

   Both JOSE and COSE have operations that take multiple algorithms as
   parameters.  Encrypted objects in JOSE [RFC7516] use two algorithm
   identifiers: the first in the "alg" (Algorithm) Header Parameter,
   which specifies how to determine the content encryption key, and the
   second in the "enc" (Encryption Algorithm) Header Parameter, which
   specifies the content encryption algorithm.  Likewise, encrypted COSE
   objects can use multiple algorithms for corresponding purposes.  This
   section describes how to fully specify encryption algorithms for JOSE
   and COSE.









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   To perform fully-specified encryption in JOSE, the "alg" value MUST
   specify all essential parameters for key establishment or derive some
   of them from the accompanying "enc" value and the "enc" value MUST
   specify all essential parameters for symmetric encryption.  For
   example, JWE encryption using an "alg" value of "A128KW" (AES Key
   Wrap using 128-bit key) and an "enc" value of "A128GCM" (AES GCM
   using 128-bit key) uses fully-specified algorithms.

   Note that in JOSE, there is the option to derive some cryptographic
   parameters used in the "alg" computation from the accompanying "enc"
   value.  An example of this is that the keydatalen KDF parameter value
   for "ECDH-ES" is determined from the "enc" value, as described in
   Section 4.6.2 of [RFC7518].  For the purposes of an "alg" value being
   fully-specified, deriving parameters from "enc" does not make the
   algorithm polymorphic, as the computation is still fully determined
   by the algorithm identifiers used.  This option is not present in
   COSE.

   To perform fully-specified encryption in COSE, the outer "alg" value
   MUST specify all essential parameters for key establishment and the
   inner "alg" value must specify all essential parameters for symmetric
   encryption.  For example, COSE encryption using an outer "alg" value
   of A128KW and an inner "alg" value of A128GCM uses fully-specified
   algorithms.

   While this specification provides a definition of what fully-
   specified encryption algorithm identifiers are for both JOSE and
   COSE, it does not deprecate any polymorphic encryption algorithms,
   since replacements for them are not provided by this specification.
   This is discussed in Section 6.2.

3.1.  Fully-Specified Encryption Algorithms

   Many of the registered JOSE and COSE algorithms used for encryption
   are already fully-specified.  This section discusses them.

   All the symmetric encryption algorithms registered by [RFC7518] and
   [RFC9053] are fully-specified.  An example of a fully-specified
   symmetric encryption algorithm is "A128GCM" (AES GCM using 128-bit
   key).

   In both JOSE and COSE, all registered key wrapping algorithms are
   fully specified, as are the key wrapping with AES GCM algorithms.  An
   example of a fully-specified key wrapping algorithm is "A128KW" (AES
   Key Wrap using 128-bit key).

   The JOSE "dir" and COSE "direct" algorithms are fully specified.  The
   COSE direct+HKDF algorithms are fully specified.



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   The JOSE Key Encryption with PBES2 algorithms are fully specified.

3.2.  Polymorphic Encryption Algorithms

   Some of the registered JOSE and COSE algorithms used for encryption
   are polymorphic.  This section discusses them.

   The ECDH key establishment algorithms in both JOSE and COSE are
   polymorphic because they do not specify the elliptic curve to be used
   for the key.  This is true of the ephemeral key for the Ephemeral-
   Static (ES) algorithms registered for JOSE and COSE and of the static
   key for the Static-Static (SS) algorithms registered by COSE.  See
   more discussion of ECDH algorithms in Section 6.2.

4.  IANA Considerations

4.1.  JOSE Algorithms Registrations

   This section registers the following values in the IANA "JSON Web
   Signature and Encryption Algorithms" registry [IANA.JOSE] established
   by [RFC7515].

4.1.1.  Fully-Specified JOSE Algorithm Registrations

   *  Algorithm Name: Ed25519
   *  Algorithm Description: EdDSA using Ed25519 curve
   *  Algorithm Usage Locations: alg
   *  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.2 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Algorithm Analysis Document(s): [RFC8032]


   *  Algorithm Name: Ed448
   *  Algorithm Description: EdDSA using Ed448 curve
   *  Algorithm Usage Locations: alg
   *  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Optional
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.2 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Algorithm Analysis Document(s): [RFC8032]

4.1.2.  Deprecated Polymorphic JOSE Algorithm Registrations

   The following registration is updated to change its status to
   Deprecated.

   *  Algorithm Name: EdDSA
   *  Algorithm Description: EdDSA signature algorithms



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   *  Algorithm Usage Locations: alg
   *  JOSE Implementation Requirements: Deprecated
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.2 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Algorithm Analysis Document(s): [RFC8032]

4.2.  COSE Algorithms Registrations

   This section registers the following values in the IANA "COSE
   Algorithms" registry [IANA.COSE].

4.2.1.  Fully-Specified COSE Algorithm Registrations

   *  Name: ESP256
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -9)
   *  Description: ECDSA using P-256 curve and SHA-256
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: Yes


   *  Name: ESP384
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -48)
   *  Description: ECDSA using P-384 curve and SHA-384
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: Yes


   *  Name: ESP512
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -49)
   *  Description: ECDSA using P-521 curve and SHA-512
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: Yes


   *  Name: ESB256
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -261)
   *  Description: ECDSA using BrainpoolP256r1 curve and SHA-256
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: No




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   *  Name: ESB320
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -262)
   *  Description: ECDSA using BrainpoolP320r1 curve and SHA-384
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: No


   *  Name: ESB384
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -263)
   *  Description: ECDSA using BrainpoolP384r1 curve and SHA-384
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: No


   *  Name: ESB512
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -264)
   *  Description: ECDSA using BrainpoolP512r1 curve and SHA-512
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.1 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: No


   *  Name: Ed25519
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -50)
   *  Description: EdDSA using Ed25519 curve
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.2 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: Yes


   *  Name: Ed448
   *  Value: TBD (requested assignment -51)
   *  Description: EdDSA using Ed448 curve
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: Section 2.2 of [[ this specification ]]
   *  Recommended: Yes

4.2.2.  Deprecated Polymorphic COSE Algorithm Registrations

   The following registrations are updated to change their status to
   Deprecated.



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   *  Name: ES256
   *  Value: -7
   *  Description: ECDSA w/ SHA-256
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: RFC 9053
   *  Recommended: Deprecated


   *  Name: ES384
   *  Value: -35
   *  Description: ECDSA w/ SHA-384
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: RFC 9053
   *  Recommended: Deprecated


   *  Name: ES512
   *  Value: -36
   *  Description: ECDSA w/ SHA-512
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: RFC 9053
   *  Recommended: Deprecated


   *  Name: EdDSA
   *  Value: -8
   *  Description: EdDSA
   *  Capabilities: [kty]
   *  Change Controller: IETF
   *  Reference: RFC 9053
   *  Recommended: Deprecated

4.3.  Updated Review Instructions for Designated Experts

4.3.1.  JSON Web Signature and Encryption Algorithms

   IANA is directed to preserve the current reference to RFC 7518, and
   to add a reference to this section of this specification.

   The review instructions for the designated experts for the IANA "JSON
   Web Signature and Encryption Algorithms" registry [IANA.JOSE] in
   Section 7.1 of [RFC7518] have been updated to include an additional
   review criterion:





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   *  Only fully-specified algorithm identifiers may be registered.
      Polymorphic algorithm identifiers must not be registered.

4.3.2.  COSE Algorithms

   IANA is directed to preserve the current references to RFC 9053 and
   RFC 9054, and to add a reference to this section of this
   specification.

   The review instructions for the designated experts for the IANA "COSE
   Algorithms" registry [IANA.COSE] in Section 10.4 of [RFC9053] have
   been updated to include an additional review criterion:

   *  Only fully-specified algorithm identifiers may be registered.
      Polymorphic algorithm identifiers must not be registered.

4.4.  Defining Deprecated and Prohibited

   The terms "Deprecated" and "Prohibited" as used by JOSE and COSE
   registrations are currently undefined.  Furthermore, while in
   [RFC7518] JOSE specifies that both "Deprecated" and "Prohibited" can
   be used, in [RFC8152] COSE specifies the use of "Deprecated" but not
   "Prohibited".  (Note that [RFC9053] did not carry the definitions of
   the "Recommended" registry columns forward, so [RFC8152] remains
   definitive in this regard.)  This section defines these terms for use
   by both JOSE and COSE IANA registrations in a consistent manner,
   eliminating this potentially confusing inconsistency.

   For purposes of use in the "JOSE Implementation Requirements" columns
   in the IANA JOSE registries [IANA.JOSE] and in the "Recommended"
   columns in the IANA COSE registries [IANA.COSE], these terms are
   defined as follows:

   Deprecated
      There is a preferred mechanism to achieve similar functionality to
      that referenced by the identifier; this replacement functionality
      SHOULD be utilized in new deployments in preference to the
      deprecated identifier, unless there exist documented operational
      or regulatory requirements that prevent migration away from the
      deprecated identifier.

   Prohibited
      The identifier and the functionality that it references MUST NOT
      be used.  (Identifiers MAY be designated as "Prohibited" due to
      security flaws, for instance.)






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   Note that the terms "Deprecated" and "Prohibited" have been used with
   a multiplicity of different meanings in various specifications,
   sometimes without actually being defined in those specifications.
   For instance, the term "Deprecated" is used in the title of
   [RFC8996], but the actual specification text uses the terminology
   "MUST NOT be used".

   The definitions above were chosen because they are consistent with
   all existing registrations in both JOSE and COSE; none will need to
   change.  Furthermore, they are consistent with their existing usage
   in JOSE.  The only net change is to enable a clear distinction
   between "Deprecated" and "Prohibited" in future COSE registrations.

5.  Key Representations

   The key representations for the new fully-specified algorithms
   defined by this specification are the same as those for the
   polymorphic algorithms that they replace, other than the alg value,
   if included.  For instance, the representation for a key used with
   the Ed25519 algorithm is the same as that specified in [RFC8037],
   except that the alg value would be Ed25519 rather than EdDSA, if
   included.

6.  Notes on Algorithms Not Updated

   The working group has discussed some existing polymorphic algorithms
   that are not updated by this specification.  This section discusses
   why they have not been updated.

6.1.  RSA Signing Algorithms

   The working group has discussed whether the RS256, RS384, and RS512
   algorithms should be considered fully-specified or not, because they
   can operate on keys of different sizes.  For instance, they can use
   both 2048- and 4096-bit keys.  The same is true of the PS*
   algorithms.

   This document does not describe or request registration of any fully
   specified RSA algorithms.  Some RSA signing implementations, such as
   FIPS-compliant Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) [FIPS.140-3] limit
   RSA key parameters to specific values with acceptable security
   characteristics.  This approach could be extended to define fully-
   specified RSA algorithms in the future.

   That said, should it be useful at some point to have RSA algorithm
   identifiers that are specific to particular key characteristics, a
   future specification could always register them.




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6.2.  ECDH Key Agreement Algorithms

   The working group decided not to update the Elliptic Curve Diffie-
   Hellman (ECDH) algorithms at this time, but to describe how to
   potentially do so in the future, if needed.  The registered JOSE and
   COSE ECDH algorithms are polymorphic because they do not specify the
   curve to be used for the ephemeral key.

   Fully-specified versions of these algorithms would specify all
   choices needed, including the KDF and the curve.  For instance, an
   algorithm performing ECDH-ES using the Concat KDF and the P-256
   curve, would be fully-specified and could be defined and registered.
   While there was not an appetite in the working group to define and
   register such replacement algorithms at this time, other
   specifications could do so in the future, if desired.

6.3.  HSS/LMS Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm

   The HSS-LMS algorithm registered by COSE is polymorphic.  It is
   polymorphic because the algorithm identifier does not specify the
   hash function to be used.  Like ECDH, the working group did not
   propose to register replacement algorithms, but future specifications
   could do so.

7.  Security Considerations

   The security considerations for ECDSA in [RFC7518], for EdDSA in
   [RFC8037], and for ECDSA and EdDSA in [RFC9053] apply.

   The security considerations for preventing cross-mode attacks
   described in [RFC9459] apply.

   A cryptographic key SHOULD be used with only a single algorithm,
   unless the use of the same key with different algorithms is proven
   secure.  See [Reuse25519] for an example of such a proof.  As a
   result, it is RECOMMENDED that the algorithm parameter of JSON Web
   Keys and COSE Keys be present, unless there exists some other
   mechanism for ensuring the key is used as intended.

   In COSE, preventing cross-mode attacks, such as those described in
   [RFC9459], can be accomplished in two ways:

   1.  Allow only authenticated content encryption algorithms.

   2.  Bind the the potentially unauthenticated content encryption
       algorithm to be used into the key protection algorithm so that
       different content encryption algorithms result in different
       content encryption keys.



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   Which choice to use in which circumstances is beyond the scope of
   this specification.

8.  References

8.1.  Normative References

   [RFC2119]  Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
              Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC2119, March 1997,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2119>.

   [RFC7515]  Jones, M., Bradley, J., and N. Sakimura, "JSON Web
              Signature (JWS)", RFC 7515, DOI 10.17487/RFC7515, May
              2015, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7515>.

   [RFC7516]  Jones, M. and J. Hildebrand, "JSON Web Encryption (JWE)",
              RFC 7516, DOI 10.17487/RFC7516, May 2015,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7516>.

   [RFC8037]  Liusvaara, I., "CFRG Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)
              and Signatures in JSON Object Signing and Encryption
              (JOSE)", RFC 8037, DOI 10.17487/RFC8037, January 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8037>.

   [RFC8174]  Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC
              2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10.17487/RFC8174,
              May 2017, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8174>.

   [RFC9052]  Schaad, J., "CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE):
              Structures and Process", STD 96, RFC 9052,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC9052, August 2022,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9052>.

   [RFC9053]  Schaad, J., "CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE):
              Initial Algorithms", RFC 9053, DOI 10.17487/RFC9053,
              August 2022, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9053>.

8.2.  Informative References

   [FIDO2]    Bradley, J., Hodges, J., Jones, M., Kumar, A., Lindemann,
              R., and J. Johan, "Client to Authenticator Protocol
              (CTAP)", FIDO Alliance Proposed Standard, 21 June 2022,
              <https://fidoalliance.org/specs/fido-v2.1-ps-20210615/
              fido-client-to-authenticator-protocol-v2.1-ps-errata-
              20220621.html>.





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   [FIPS.140-3]
              National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),
              "Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules",
              FIPS PUB 140-3, 22 March 2019,
              <https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/
              NIST.FIPS.140-3.pdf>.

   [IANA.COSE]
              IANA, "CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE)",
              <https://www.iana.org/assignments/cose/>.

   [IANA.JOSE]
              IANA, "JSON Object Signing and Encryption (JOSE)",
              <https://www.iana.org/assignments/jose/>.

   [OpenID.Discovery]
              Sakimura, N., Bradley, J., Jones, M.B., and E. Jay,
              "OpenID Connect Discovery 1.0", 15 December 2023,
              <https://openid.net/specs/openid-connect-discovery-
              1_0.html>.

   [Reuse25519]
              Thormarker, E., "On using the same key pair for Ed25519
              and an X25519 based KEM", 23 April 2021,
              <https://eprint.iacr.org/2021/509.pdf>.

   [RFC7518]  Jones, M., "JSON Web Algorithms (JWA)", RFC 7518,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC7518, May 2015,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7518>.

   [RFC8032]  Josefsson, S. and I. Liusvaara, "Edwards-Curve Digital
              Signature Algorithm (EdDSA)", RFC 8032,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC8032, January 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8032>.

   [RFC8152]  Schaad, J., "CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE)",
              RFC 8152, DOI 10.17487/RFC8152, July 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8152>.

   [RFC8414]  Jones, M., Sakimura, N., and J. Bradley, "OAuth 2.0
              Authorization Server Metadata", RFC 8414,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC8414, June 2018,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8414>.

   [RFC8996]  Moriarty, K. and S. Farrell, "Deprecating TLS 1.0 and TLS
              1.1", BCP 195, RFC 8996, DOI 10.17487/RFC8996, March 2021,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8996>.




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   [RFC9459]  Housley, R. and H. Tschofenig, "CBOR Object Signing and
              Encryption (COSE): AES-CTR and AES-CBC", RFC 9459,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC9459, September 2023,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9459>.

   [WebAuthn] Hodges, J., Jones, J.C., Jones, M.B., Kumar, A., and E.
              Lundberg, "Web Authentication: An API for accessing Public
              Key Credentials - Level 2", World Wide Web Consortium
              (W3C) Recommendation, 8 April 2021,
              <https://www.w3.org/TR/2021/REC-webauthn-2-20210408/>.

Appendix A.  Document History

   [[ to be removed by the RFC Editor before publication as an RFC ]]

   -08

   *  Updated requested Brainpool algorithm numbers to match those
      chosen by Sean Turner.

   *  Incorporated wording suggestions by Vijay Gurbani.

   -07

   *  Addressed Deb Cooley's Area Director feedback.  Specifically:

      -  Significantly simplified the encryption description.

      -  Removed the appendix on polymorphic ECDH algorithms.

   *  Stated that HSS-LMS is not fully specified, as suggested by John
      Preuß Mattsson.

   -06

   *  Corrected inconsistencies identified during the 2nd WGLC.

   *  Added terminology remark about the "cipher suite" and "à la carte"
      approaches.

   -05

   *  Applied IANA early review comments.

   -04

   *  Removed ECDH registrations and proposed fully-specified ECDH
      algorithm identifiers, per feedback at IETF 120.



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   *  Tightened descriptive text for fully-specified encryption
      algorithms.

   *  Applied John Mattsson's suggestion for the RSA section title.

   -03

   *  Acknowledged contributions made during Working Group Last Call.

   *  Addressed security considerations feedback from WGLC.

   *  Made COSE Recommended status for Ed25519 and Ed448 "yes".

   *  Registered COSE algorithms for using Brainpool curves with ECDSA.

   *  Removed text on KEMs, since currently registered algorithms don't
      use them.

   *  Enabled use of fully-specified ECDH algorithms.

   *  Defined the terms "Deprecated" and "Prohibited" for both JOSE and
      COSE registrations.

   -02

   *  Expanded references for KEMs.

   *  Added example of a fully-specified KEM.

   -01

   *  Included additional instructions for IANA.

   *  Added text on KEMs and Encapsulated keys.

   *  Added the section Fully-Specified Computations Using Multiple
      Algorithms.

   -00

   *  Created initial working group version based on draft-jones-jose-
      fully-specified-algorithms-02.









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Acknowledgements

   The authors thank Carsten Bormann, John Bradley, Tim Bray, Brian
   Campbell, Deb Cooley, Stephen Farrell, Vijay Gurbani, Ilari
   Liusvaara, Tobias Looker, Neil Madden, John Preuß Mattsson, Jeremy
   O'Donoghue, Anders Rundgren, Göran Selander, Filip Skokan, Oliver
   Terbu, Hannes Tschofenig, Sean Turner, David Waite, and Jiankang Yao
   for their contributions to this specification.

Authors' Addresses

   Michael B. Jones
   Self-Issued Consulting
   Email: michael_b_jones@hotmail.com
   URI:   https://self-issued.info/


   Orie Steele
   Transmute
   Email: orie@transmute.industries































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