From 7d756c77ee527dc83c71a6b828059adb98e42eef Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Heiko Schaefer Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:20:21 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Shift away from "plaintext" term for the signed data Talking about "plaintext" seems potentially confusing, especially when signing an encrypted message. --- book/source/signing_data.md | 6 +++--- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/book/source/signing_data.md b/book/source/signing_data.md index 15b137b..a7ac8e1 100644 --- a/book/source/signing_data.md +++ b/book/source/signing_data.md @@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Note that {term}`data signatures` are distinct from [](/signing_ - **{term}`Detached`**: The OpenPGP signature exists as a separate entity, independent of the signed data. - **{term}`Inline`**: Both the original data and its corresponding {term}`OpenPGP signature` are encapsulated within an {term}`OpenPGP message`. -- **{term}`Cleartext signature`**: A plaintext message and its {term}`OpenPGP signature` coexist in a combined text format, preserving the readability of the original message. +- **{term}`Cleartext signature`**: A plain text message and its {term}`OpenPGP signature` coexist in a combined text format, preserving the readability of the original message. [^sign-modes-gpg]: These three forms of {term}`signature` application align with GnuPG's `--detach-sign`, `--sign`, and `--clearsign` command options. @@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Instead, it's a type of auxiliary packet that can be used in conjunction with {t #### The function of the one-pass signature packet -To understand the purpose of this packet, consider that without it, the position of signature packets within an inline signed OpenPGP message constitutes a trade-off for efficient data processing. In particular when plaintext data is large and exceeds available memory in size. +To understand the purpose of this packet, consider that without it, the position of signature packets within an inline signed OpenPGP message constitutes a trade-off for efficient data processing. In particular when signed data is large and exceeds available memory in size. The producer of a signed OpenPGP message wants to streamline the signature calculation process in such a way that allows to emit a copy of the signed data while calculating the cryptographic signature. On the signer's side, the signature packet is therefore easy to store after the signed data. @@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ The signer can easily emit this metadata before processing the full message, and #### Creation -To produce an {term}`inline signature`, the {term}`signer` decides on a hash algorithm and emits a {term}`one-pass signature packet` into the destination {term}`OpenPGP message`. This contains essential information such as the {term}`fingerprint` of the {term}`signing key` and the {term}`hash` algorithm used for computing the {term}`signature`'s {term}`hash digest`. The signer then processes the entirety of the plaintext data, emitting it as a {term}`literal data` into the message as well. Once the data is processed, the {term}`signer` calculates a {term}`cryptographic signature` using the calculated hash value. Lastly, the result is emitted as a {term}`data signature packet` to the output message, and the whole packet sequence can be efficiently stored or transmitted. +To produce a {term}`one-pass inline signature`, the {term}`signer` decides on a hash algorithm and emits a {term}`one-pass signature packet` into the destination {term}`OpenPGP message`. This contains essential information such as the {term}`fingerprint` of the {term}`signing key` and the {term}`hash` algorithm used for computing the {term}`signature`'s {term}`hash digest`. The signer then processes the entirety of the signed data, emitting it as a {term}`literal data` into the message as well. Once the data is processed, the {term}`signer` calculates a {term}`cryptographic signature` using the calculated hash value. Lastly, the result is emitted as a {term}`data signature packet` to the output message, and the whole packet sequence can be efficiently stored or transmitted. For efficient {term}`verification`, an application must understand how to handle the {term}`literal data` prior to reading from it. This requirement is addressed by the {term}`one-pass signature packets` located at the beginning of {term}`inline-signed` messages. This setup enables the verifier to process the data correctly and efficiently in only a single pass.