xref: /freebsd/crypto/openssl/doc/man3/EVP_RAND.pod (revision a64729f5077d77e13b9497cb33ecb3c82e606ee8)
1=pod
2
3=head1 NAME
4
5EVP_RAND, EVP_RAND_fetch, EVP_RAND_free, EVP_RAND_up_ref, EVP_RAND_CTX,
6EVP_RAND_CTX_new, EVP_RAND_CTX_free, EVP_RAND_instantiate,
7EVP_RAND_uninstantiate, EVP_RAND_generate, EVP_RAND_reseed, EVP_RAND_nonce,
8EVP_RAND_enable_locking, EVP_RAND_verify_zeroization, EVP_RAND_get_strength,
9EVP_RAND_get_state,
10EVP_RAND_get0_provider, EVP_RAND_CTX_get0_rand, EVP_RAND_is_a,
11EVP_RAND_get0_name, EVP_RAND_names_do_all,
12EVP_RAND_get0_description,
13EVP_RAND_CTX_get_params,
14EVP_RAND_CTX_set_params, EVP_RAND_do_all_provided, EVP_RAND_get_params,
15EVP_RAND_gettable_ctx_params, EVP_RAND_settable_ctx_params,
16EVP_RAND_CTX_gettable_params, EVP_RAND_CTX_settable_params,
17EVP_RAND_gettable_params, EVP_RAND_STATE_UNINITIALISED, EVP_RAND_STATE_READY,
18EVP_RAND_STATE_ERROR - EVP RAND routines
19
20=head1 SYNOPSIS
21
22 #include <openssl/evp.h>
23
24 typedef struct evp_rand_st EVP_RAND;
25 typedef struct evp_rand_ctx_st EVP_RAND_CTX;
26
27 EVP_RAND *EVP_RAND_fetch(OSSL_LIB_CTX *libctx, const char *algorithm,
28                        const char *properties);
29 int EVP_RAND_up_ref(EVP_RAND *rand);
30 void EVP_RAND_free(EVP_RAND *rand);
31 EVP_RAND_CTX *EVP_RAND_CTX_new(EVP_RAND *rand, EVP_RAND_CTX *parent);
32 void EVP_RAND_CTX_free(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
33 EVP_RAND *EVP_RAND_CTX_get0_rand(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
34 int EVP_RAND_get_params(EVP_RAND *rand, OSSL_PARAM params[]);
35 int EVP_RAND_CTX_get_params(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, OSSL_PARAM params[]);
36 int EVP_RAND_CTX_set_params(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, const OSSL_PARAM params[]);
37 const OSSL_PARAM *EVP_RAND_gettable_params(const EVP_RAND *rand);
38 const OSSL_PARAM *EVP_RAND_gettable_ctx_params(const EVP_RAND *rand);
39 const OSSL_PARAM *EVP_RAND_settable_ctx_params(const EVP_RAND *rand);
40 const OSSL_PARAM *EVP_RAND_CTX_gettable_params(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
41 const OSSL_PARAM *EVP_RAND_CTX_settable_params(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
42 const char *EVP_RAND_get0_name(const EVP_RAND *rand);
43 const char *EVP_RAND_get0_description(const EVP_RAND *rand);
44 int EVP_RAND_is_a(const EVP_RAND *rand, const char *name);
45 const OSSL_PROVIDER *EVP_RAND_get0_provider(const EVP_RAND *rand);
46 void EVP_RAND_do_all_provided(OSSL_LIB_CTX *libctx,
47                               void (*fn)(EVP_RAND *rand, void *arg),
48                               void *arg);
49 int EVP_RAND_names_do_all(const EVP_RAND *rand,
50                           void (*fn)(const char *name, void *data),
51                           void *data);
52
53 int EVP_RAND_instantiate(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, unsigned int strength,
54                          int prediction_resistance,
55                          const unsigned char *pstr, size_t pstr_len,
56                          const OSSL_PARAM params[]);
57 int EVP_RAND_uninstantiate(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
58 int EVP_RAND_generate(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, unsigned char *out, size_t outlen,
59                       unsigned int strength, int prediction_resistance,
60                       const unsigned char *addin, size_t addin_len);
61 int EVP_RAND_reseed(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, int prediction_resistance,
62                     const unsigned char *ent, size_t ent_len,
63                     const unsigned char *addin, size_t addin_len);
64 int EVP_RAND_nonce(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx, unsigned char *out, size_t outlen);
65 int EVP_RAND_enable_locking(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
66 int EVP_RAND_verify_zeroization(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
67 unsigned int EVP_RAND_get_strength(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
68 int EVP_RAND_get_state(EVP_RAND_CTX *ctx);
69
70 #define EVP_RAND_STATE_UNINITIALISED    0
71 #define EVP_RAND_STATE_READY            1
72 #define EVP_RAND_STATE_ERROR            2
73
74=head1 DESCRIPTION
75
76The EVP RAND routines are a high-level interface to random number generators
77both deterministic and not.
78If you just want to generate random bytes then you don't need to use
79these functions: just call RAND_bytes() or RAND_priv_bytes().
80If you want to do more, these calls should be used instead of the older
81RAND and RAND_DRBG functions.
82
83After creating a B<EVP_RAND_CTX> for the required algorithm using
84EVP_RAND_CTX_new(), inputs to the algorithm are supplied either by
85passing them as part of the EVP_RAND_instantiate() call or using calls to
86EVP_RAND_CTX_set_params() before calling EVP_RAND_instantiate().  Finally,
87call EVP_RAND_generate() to produce cryptographically secure random bytes.
88
89=head2 Types
90
91B<EVP_RAND> is a type that holds the implementation of a RAND.
92
93B<EVP_RAND_CTX> is a context type that holds the algorithm inputs.
94B<EVP_RAND_CTX> structures are reference counted.
95
96=head2 Algorithm implementation fetching
97
98EVP_RAND_fetch() fetches an implementation of a RAND I<algorithm>, given
99a library context I<libctx> and a set of I<properties>.
100See L<crypto(7)/ALGORITHM FETCHING> for further information.
101
102The returned value must eventually be freed with
103L<EVP_RAND_free(3)>.
104
105EVP_RAND_up_ref() increments the reference count of an already fetched
106RAND.
107
108EVP_RAND_free() frees a fetched algorithm.
109NULL is a valid parameter, for which this function is a no-op.
110
111=head2 Context manipulation functions
112
113EVP_RAND_CTX_new() creates a new context for the RAND implementation I<rand>.
114If not NULL, I<parent> specifies the seed source for this implementation.
115Not all random number generators need to have a seed source specified.
116If a parent is required, a NULL I<parent> will utilise the operating
117system entropy sources.
118It is recommended to minimise the number of random number generators that
119rely on the operating system for their randomness because this is often scarce.
120
121EVP_RAND_CTX_free() frees up the context I<ctx>.  If I<ctx> is NULL, nothing
122is done.
123
124EVP_RAND_CTX_get0_rand() returns the B<EVP_RAND> associated with the context
125I<ctx>.
126
127=head2 Random Number Generator Functions
128
129EVP_RAND_instantiate() processes any parameters in I<params> and
130then instantiates the RAND I<ctx> with a minimum security strength
131of <strength> and personalisation string I<pstr> of length <pstr_len>.
132If I<prediction_resistance> is specified, fresh entropy from a live source
133will be sought.  This call operates as per NIST SP 800-90A and SP 800-90C.
134
135EVP_RAND_uninstantiate() uninstantiates the RAND I<ctx> as per
136NIST SP 800-90A and SP 800-90C.  Subsequent to this call, the RAND cannot
137be used to generate bytes.  It can only be freed or instantiated again.
138
139EVP_RAND_generate() produces random bytes from the RAND I<ctx> with the
140additional input I<addin> of length I<addin_len>.  The bytes
141produced will meet the security I<strength>.
142If I<prediction_resistance> is specified, fresh entropy from a live source
143will be sought.  This call operates as per NIST SP 800-90A and SP 800-90C.
144
145EVP_RAND_reseed() reseeds the RAND with new entropy.
146Entropy I<ent> of length I<ent_len> bytes can be supplied as can additional
147input I<addin> of length I<addin_len> bytes.  In the FIPS provider, both are
148treated as additional input as per NIST SP-800-90Ar1, Sections 9.1 and 9.2.
149Additional seed material is also drawn from the RAND's parent or the
150operating system.  If I<prediction_resistance> is specified, fresh entropy
151from a live source will be sought.  This call operates as per NIST SP 800-90A
152and SP 800-90C.
153
154EVP_RAND_nonce() creates a nonce in I<out> of maximum length I<outlen>
155bytes from the RAND I<ctx>. The function returns the length of the generated
156nonce. If I<out> is NULL, the length is still returned but no generation
157takes place. This allows a caller to dynamically allocate a buffer of the
158appropriate size.
159
160EVP_RAND_enable_locking() enables locking for the RAND I<ctx> and all of
161its parents.  After this I<ctx> will operate in a thread safe manner, albeit
162more slowly. This function is not itself thread safe if called with the same
163I<ctx> from multiple threads. Typically locking should be enabled before a
164I<ctx> is shared across multiple threads.
165
166EVP_RAND_get_params() retrieves details about the implementation
167I<rand>.
168The set of parameters given with I<params> determine exactly what
169parameters should be retrieved.
170Note that a parameter that is unknown in the underlying context is
171simply ignored.
172
173EVP_RAND_CTX_get_params() retrieves chosen parameters, given the
174context I<ctx> and its underlying context.
175The set of parameters given with I<params> determine exactly what
176parameters should be retrieved.
177Note that a parameter that is unknown in the underlying context is
178simply ignored.
179
180EVP_RAND_CTX_set_params() passes chosen parameters to the underlying
181context, given a context I<ctx>.
182The set of parameters given with I<params> determine exactly what
183parameters are passed down.
184Note that a parameter that is unknown in the underlying context is
185simply ignored.
186Also, what happens when a needed parameter isn't passed down is
187defined by the implementation.
188
189EVP_RAND_gettable_params() returns an L<OSSL_PARAM(3)> array that describes
190the retrievable and settable parameters.  EVP_RAND_gettable_params() returns
191parameters that can be used with EVP_RAND_get_params().
192
193EVP_RAND_gettable_ctx_params() and EVP_RAND_CTX_gettable_params() return
194constant L<OSSL_PARAM(3)> arrays that describe the retrievable parameters that
195can be used with EVP_RAND_CTX_get_params().  EVP_RAND_gettable_ctx_params()
196returns the parameters that can be retrieved from the algorithm, whereas
197EVP_RAND_CTX_gettable_params() returns the parameters that can be retrieved
198in the context's current state.
199
200EVP_RAND_settable_ctx_params() and EVP_RAND_CTX_settable_params() return
201constant L<OSSL_PARAM(3)> arrays that describe the settable parameters that
202can be used with EVP_RAND_CTX_set_params().  EVP_RAND_settable_ctx_params()
203returns the parameters that can be retrieved from the algorithm, whereas
204EVP_RAND_CTX_settable_params() returns the parameters that can be retrieved
205in the context's current state.
206
207=head2 Information functions
208
209EVP_RAND_get_strength() returns the security strength of the RAND I<ctx>.
210
211EVP_RAND_get_state() returns the current state of the RAND I<ctx>.
212States defined by the OpenSSL RNGs are:
213
214=over 4
215
216=item *
217
218EVP_RAND_STATE_UNINITIALISED: this RNG is currently uninitialised.
219The instantiate call will change this to the ready state.
220
221=item *
222
223EVP_RAND_STATE_READY: this RNG is currently ready to generate output.
224
225=item *
226
227EVP_RAND_STATE_ERROR: this RNG is in an error state.
228
229=back
230
231EVP_RAND_is_a() returns 1 if I<rand> is an implementation of an
232algorithm that's identifiable with I<name>, otherwise 0.
233
234EVP_RAND_get0_provider() returns the provider that holds the implementation
235of the given I<rand>.
236
237EVP_RAND_do_all_provided() traverses all RAND implemented by all activated
238providers in the given library context I<libctx>, and for each of the
239implementations, calls the given function I<fn> with the implementation method
240and the given I<arg> as argument.
241
242EVP_RAND_get0_name() returns the canonical name of I<rand>.
243
244EVP_RAND_names_do_all() traverses all names for I<rand>, and calls
245I<fn> with each name and I<data>.
246
247EVP_RAND_get0_description() returns a description of the rand, meant for
248display and human consumption.  The description is at the discretion of
249the rand implementation.
250
251EVP_RAND_verify_zeroization() confirms if the internal DRBG state is
252currently zeroed.  This is used by the FIPS provider to support the mandatory
253self tests.
254
255=head1 PARAMETERS
256
257The standard parameter names are:
258
259=over 4
260
261=item "state" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_STATE>) <integer>
262
263Returns the state of the random number generator.
264
265=item "strength" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_STRENGTH>) <unsigned integer>
266
267Returns the bit strength of the random number generator.
268
269=back
270
271For rands that are also deterministic random bit generators (DRBGs), these
272additional parameters are recognised. Not all
273parameters are relevant to, or are understood by all DRBG rands:
274
275=over 4
276
277=item "reseed_requests" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_RESEED_REQUESTS>) <unsigned integer>
278
279Reads or set the number of generate requests before reseeding the
280associated RAND ctx.
281
282=item "reseed_time_interval" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_RESEED_TIME_INTERVAL>) <integer>
283
284Reads or set the number of elapsed seconds before reseeding the
285associated RAND ctx.
286
287=item "max_request" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_MAX_REQUEST>) <unsigned integer>
288
289Specifies the maximum number of bytes that can be generated in a single
290call to OSSL_FUNC_rand_generate.
291
292=item "min_entropylen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MIN_ENTROPYLEN>) <unsigned integer>
293
294=item "max_entropylen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MAX_ENTROPYLEN>) <unsigned integer>
295
296Specify the minimum and maximum number of bytes of random material that
297can be used to seed the DRBG.
298
299=item "min_noncelen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MIN_NONCELEN>) <unsigned integer>
300
301=item "max_noncelen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MAX_NONCELEN>) <unsigned integer>
302
303Specify the minimum and maximum number of bytes of nonce that can be used to
304seed the DRBG.
305
306=item "max_perslen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MAX_PERSLEN>) <unsigned integer>
307
308=item "max_adinlen" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_MAX_ADINLEN>) <unsigned integer>
309
310Specify the minimum and maximum number of bytes of personalisation string
311that can be used with the DRBG.
312
313=item "reseed_counter" (B<OSSL_DRBG_PARAM_RESEED_COUNTER>) <unsigned integer>
314
315Specifies the number of times the DRBG has been seeded or reseeded.
316
317=item "properties" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_PROPERTIES>) <UTF8 string>
318
319=item "mac" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_MAC>) <UTF8 string>
320
321=item "digest" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_DIGEST>) <UTF8 string>
322
323=item "cipher" (B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_CIPHER>) <UTF8 string>
324
325For RAND implementations that use an underlying computation MAC, digest or
326cipher, these parameters set what the algorithm should be.
327
328The value is always the name of the intended algorithm,
329or the properties in the case of B<OSSL_RAND_PARAM_PROPERTIES>.
330
331=back
332
333=head1 NOTES
334
335The use of a nonzero value for the I<prediction_resistance> argument to
336EVP_RAND_instantiate(), EVP_RAND_generate() or EVP_RAND_reseed() should
337be used sparingly.  In the default setup, this will cause all public and
338private DRBGs to be reseeded on next use.  Since, by default, public and
339private DRBGs are allocated on a per thread basis, this can result in
340significant overhead for highly multi-threaded applications.  For normal
341use-cases, the default "reseed_requests" and "reseed_time_interval"
342thresholds ensure sufficient prediction resistance over time and you
343can reduce those values if you think they are too high.  Explicitly
344requesting prediction resistance is intended for more special use-cases
345like generating long-term secrets.
346
347An B<EVP_RAND_CTX> needs to have locking enabled if it acts as the parent of
348more than one child and the children can be accessed concurrently.  This must
349be done by explicitly calling EVP_RAND_enable_locking().
350
351The RAND life-cycle is described in L<life_cycle-rand(7)>.  In the future,
352the transitions described there will be enforced.  When this is done, it will
353not be considered a breaking change to the API.
354
355=head1 RETURN VALUES
356
357EVP_RAND_fetch() returns a pointer to a newly fetched B<EVP_RAND>, or
358NULL if allocation failed.
359
360EVP_RAND_get0_provider() returns a pointer to the provider for the RAND, or
361NULL on error.
362
363EVP_RAND_CTX_get0_rand() returns a pointer to the B<EVP_RAND> associated
364with the context.
365
366EVP_RAND_get0_name() returns the name of the random number generation
367algorithm.
368
369EVP_RAND_up_ref() returns 1 on success, 0 on error.
370
371EVP_RAND_names_do_all() returns 1 if the callback was called for all names. A
372return value of 0 means that the callback was not called for any names.
373
374EVP_RAND_CTX_new() returns either the newly allocated
375B<EVP_RAND_CTX> structure or NULL if an error occurred.
376
377EVP_RAND_CTX_free() does not return a value.
378
379EVP_RAND_nonce() returns the length of the nonce.
380
381EVP_RAND_get_strength() returns the strength of the random number generator
382in bits.
383
384EVP_RAND_gettable_params(), EVP_RAND_gettable_ctx_params() and
385EVP_RAND_settable_ctx_params() return an array of OSSL_PARAMs.
386
387EVP_RAND_verify_zeroization() returns 1 if the internal DRBG state is
388currently zeroed, and 0 if not.
389
390The remaining functions return 1 for success and 0 or a negative value for
391failure.
392
393=head1 SEE ALSO
394
395L<RAND_bytes(3)>,
396L<EVP_RAND-CTR-DRBG(7)>,
397L<EVP_RAND-HASH-DRBG(7)>,
398L<EVP_RAND-HMAC-DRBG(7)>,
399L<EVP_RAND-TEST-RAND(7)>,
400L<provider-rand(7)>,
401L<life_cycle-rand(7)>
402
403=head1 HISTORY
404
405This functionality was added to OpenSSL 3.0.
406
407=head1 COPYRIGHT
408
409Copyright 2020-2024 The OpenSSL Project Authors. All Rights Reserved.
410
411Licensed under the Apache License 2.0 (the "License").  You may not use
412this file except in compliance with the License.  You can obtain a copy
413in the file LICENSE in the source distribution or at
414L<https://www.openssl.org/source/license.html>.
415
416=cut
417