pycose a Python implementation of CBOR Object Signing and Encryption

What is COSE?

CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE) is a data format for concise representation of small messages. It is optimized for low-power devices. COSE messages can be encrypted, MAC’ed and signed. The basic structure of a COSE message consists of 2 information buckets and the payload:

  • Protected header: This message field contains information that needs to be protected. This information is taken into account during the encryption, calculation of the MAC or the signature.

  • Unprotected header: The information contained in the unprotected header is not protected by the cryptographic algorithms.

  • Payload: Contains the payload of the message (protected by the cryptographic algorithms).

_images/basic_structure.png

There are 6 different types of COSE messages:

  • Encrypt0: An encrypted COSE message with a single recipient. The payload and AAD are protected by a shared CEK (Content Encryption Keys)

  • Encrypt: An encrypted COSE message can have multiple recipients. For each recipient the CEK is encrypted with a KEK (Key Encryption Key) - using AES key wrap - and added to the message.

  • MAC0: An authenticated COSE message with one recipient.

  • MAC: An authenticated COSE message that can have multiple recipients. For each recipient, the authentication key is encrypted with a KEK and added to the message.

  • Sign1: A signed COSE message with a single signature.

  • Sign: A COSE message that has been signed by multiple entities (each signature is carried in a COSE signature structure, added to the message).

Based on the message type, extra fields are appended to the basic COSE structure:

  • A single MAC field or a single signature field (for MAC0 or Sign1 messages)

  • A list of COSE recipients or a list of COSE signatures (for MAC, Encrypt, and Sign messages)

Besides the different COSE messages, the RFC also defines COSE Key objects. COSE Keys are used to store and transport cryptographic keys. There are three main key types:

  • EC2: Elliptic Curve Keys with an x/y-coordinate pair.

  • OKP: Octet Key Pair

  • Symmetric: Symmetric Keys for symmetric cryptography

Table of Contents