Likelihood Estimation of Block Cipher Keys

S. Murphy, F.Piper, M.Walker and P.Wild

Abstract

In this paper, we give a general framework for the analysis of block ciphers
using the statistical technique of likelihood estimation.
We show how various recent successful cryptanalyses of block ciphers can
be regarded in this framework. By analysing the SAFER block cipher in this
framework we expose a cryptographic weakness of that cipher.