General transformations from single-generation to multi-generation for homomorphic message authentication schemes in network coding

Abstract

Homomorphic (broadcast) message authentication code (MAC for short) scheme is a powerful tool for network coding to resist the pollution attack. However, many existing schemes only support the single-generation transmission and hence, potentially are vulnerable to multi-generation pollution attacks considered by Cheng et al. in 2016. In this paper, we consider how to securely convert the single-generation homomorphic (broadcast) MAC schemes into multi-generation ones so that they can resist the multi-generation attacks. Concretely, •We first present the multi-generation pollution attack on the single-generation homomorphic MAC scheme and propose a general transformation from single-generation scheme to one that supports multi-generation transmission.•Second, we prove that the multi-generation pollution attack also holds for a kind of homomorphic broadcast MAC schemes and any c-collusion secure single-generation scheme using cover-free set system as its key-distribution strategy, can also be securely converted into one that supports multi-generation transmission.•Third, as applications of the two transformations, we point out the existing two single-generation schemes can be respectively transformed into ones that are secure against the multi-generation pollution attacks.