ciphertext-only attack
noun1
Computing, Cryptography, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences An attack on a cryptosystem that relies only on the attacker's knowledge of some ciphertexts encrypted with that system and key. Less powerful than a known-plaintext attack.
- Synonyms
- known-ciphertext attack, COA
- Coordinate terms
- known-plaintext attack, chosen-plaintext attack, chosen-ciphertext attack