4 ms·
Verifying a downloaded file doesn't require a cryptographically secure hash function...
by JshWright 10y ago
Verifying a downloaded file doesn't require a cryptographically secure hash function...
- feld 10y agowell it does require one that can't have collisions. otherwise what's the point in "verifying"?
- aianus 10y agoOf course it does, otherwise a malicious mirror can (theoretically) work to find a collision between their malware and the legitimate file and serve you the former. There's no good reason not to use a secure hash function.
- verbify 10y agoIt would be pretty impressive, as they'd need their malware to both do what they want and exactly match that hash. Not impossible, just clever.
- JshWright 10y agoIf your threat model involves an attacker who is able to achieve a hash collision while still implanting a sophisticated malware, you should probably avoid downloading software from random websites...