OSEC

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Subject: Random numbers for OAEP
From: Bill Frantz (frantznetcom.com)
Date: Fri Aug 25 2000 - 12:04:14 CDT

The description of Optimal Asymmetric Encryption Padding (OAEP) in PKCS#1
v-shaped includes a "random" number. My question is, just how good does
this random number have to be?

It looks like it is used to make each message unique, somewhat like the IV
in CBC mode encryption. If this analysis is correct, then it just has to
be unique, not secret.

Cheers - Bill

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