Paper 2025/260 Original: eprint.iacr.org/2025/260 ↗
Quantum Security Evaluation of ASCON
Abstract
Grover's algorithm, which reduces the search complexity of symmetric-key ciphers and hash functions, poses a significant security challenge in cryptography. Recent research has focused on estimating Grover's search complexity and assessing post-quantum security. This paper analyzes a quantum circuit implementation of ASCON, including ASCON-AEAD, hash functions, and ASCON-80pq, in alignment with NIST’s lightweight cryptography standardization efforts. We place particular emphasis on circuit depth, which directly impacts execution time, and analyze the quantum resource costs associated with Grover’s algorithm-based key recovery and collision attacks. Additionally, we estimate the resources required to assess the quantum-resistant security strength of ASCON, based on security levels and the latest research trends.
Metadata
- Available format(s)
PDF- Category
- Implementation
- Publication info
- Preprint.
- History
- 2025-02-18: last updated
- 2025-02-18: published
- Short URL
- https://ia.cr/2025/260
- License
- https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
BibTeX
@misc{cryptoeprint:2025/260,
author = {Yujin Oh and Kyungbae Jang and Hwajeong Seo},
title = {Quantum Security Evaluation of ASCON},
howpublished = {Cryptology {ePrint} Archive, Paper 2025/260},
year = {2025},
url = {https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/260}
}