MESH (cipher)

{{Short description|Block cipher}}

{{about|the block cipher||Mesh (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox block cipher

| name = MESH

| designers = Nakahara, Rijmen, Preneel, Vandewalle

| publish date = 2002

| derived from = IDEA

| key size = 128, 192, or 256 bits

| block size = 64, 96, or 128 bits

| structure = Lai–Massey scheme

| rounds = 8.5, 10.5, or 12.5

| cryptanalysis = 2 rounds can be broken using 128, 161, or 225 known plaintexts

}}

In cryptography, MESH is a block cipher designed in 2002 by Jorge Nakahara, Jr., Vincent Rijmen, Bart Preneel, and Joos Vandewalle. MESH is based directly on IDEA and uses the same basic operations.

MESH is actually a family of 3 variant ciphers with block sizes of 64, 96, and 128 bits.{{Cite book|title=The MESH Block Ciphers|location=Austria|pages=2}} The key size is twice the block size. The number of rounds is 8.5, 10.5, or 12.5, depending on the block size. The algorithm uses a Lai–Massey scheme based on IDEA's, but with a larger round structure, or "MA-box". MESH also has a more complex key schedule than IDEA, intended to prevent weak keys and other insecure patterns in subkeys.