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ncprotect when using user-defined keys

James Bailey

Hi,

 I am trying to understand the realities and risks of distributing an IP protected using the ncprotect tool.

First let's note: 

 

  • ncprotect can encrypt (Verilog) source files using common algorithms such as AES, DES, RSA, RC2, RC4, or RC5.
  • It also allows the user to generate non-tool-embedded keys, which are to be distributed with the protected IP.

 

 

My questions:

 

  1. Since the algorithms used are public and the user-defined public key(s) are to be distributed with the encrypted IP, what is to stop a particularly savvy user from using the key to decrypt the IP to plaintext?
  2. Could a savvy hacker extract the embedded CDS_NC keys from Cadence tool binaries?
 
Thanks 

 

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